Editor's note — This is part of a series of student conversations featured on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Medium page. This series highlights Huskers who are making a positive impact on campus, outreach, and career paths.
Marissa Krause, a senior journalism major from Columbia, Missouri, is following in the footsteps of other female reporters while promoting women in sports.
After completing internships in sports media, from the Lincoln Stars to BVM Sports, talk about being a woman in sports and your commitment to greater representation in newsrooms in general.
When I entered university, I knew I wanted to be a photographer. I loved writing and had a passion for sports, but I never thought I could be a sportswriter. All the sportswriters I knew at the time were men and had very little idea what a first down was in football. But I quickly realized that I was more talented than I realized and that women could not only write about sports, but be in sports media. Women are significantly underrepresented in the sports industry, with only 15% of sports reporters being women, according to a 2022 Pew Research Center study. Women in sports are a minority, but over time that number has increased thanks to countless female sportswriters who have paved the way for the next generation, including ESPN's Lisa Salters and UNL alumna Paula Levine. has been increasing. Therefore, being a woman in sports is a rewarding and empowering opportunity as I contribute to the representation of women in sports.
Women's participation in sports is important not only from a representation standpoint, but also for bringing perspective to women's athletics and issues that are underrepresented in the news. I've been one of the few female sportswriters in every newsroom I've worked in, but that doesn't deter me and motivates me to keep getting better at what I do. I am committed to supporting women in sports media and hope to one day inspire the next generation of female journalists.
Last year, you were honored by ESPN and the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation. What did that scholarship mean to you, and how did being at that event with other women in media influence you?
Being recognized by ESPN and the Media Women's Alliance was one of the greatest honors of my career. The Alliance for Women in Media is an organization that supports women in all media through networking, scholarships, education, and recognition of accomplishments. These types of organizations that advocate for women are an incredibly important resource for women, not just in sports, but also in other fields such as radio and television, where women are underrepresented. The scholarship I received was a joint recognition of Hispanic college journalists by ESPN and her AWM. Therefore, being selected for this recognition was a great honor and validated my choice to pursue a career in journalism.
Along with the scholarship, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend Gracie's Luncheon, an awards ceremony held in New York City to recognize competition and scholarship winners. Joining the Gracies was a great experience. Because I was able to network with some amazing women in media across the country. Hearing each of their stories inspired me and motivated me to continue finding impactful stories in sports. It was truly a celebration of women in media and a reminder of why it's important to have women in media/journalism. Looking ahead, I now have a whole network of women that I can turn to for advice and support throughout my career.
You are very committed to campus. How did your involvement shape your college experience?
Getting involved on campus was one of my biggest goals when I started college. As an out-of-state student, I didn't know anyone when I came here, so participating was one of the ways I was able to meet people from different sides of campus. Fortunately, I was able to quickly find something to join, and as a result, I met many wonderful people who I am still close with to this day. The Daily Nebraskan, for example, was one of his biggest involvements and stepping stones in my career as a journalist. The Student Alumni Association Board of Directors has provided me with valuable leadership experience and the opportunity to develop relationships with other leaders and alumni on campus. By becoming an ambassador for the College of Journalism and Mass Communication, I was able to give back to the college in a way by helping recruit future Huskers. I was able to gain something from each interaction. Most important are the lasting relationships formed in the process.
However, during my college years, I found myself wanting to do too many things at once and wondering why I was doing it in the first place. This reflection made me realize that there are some things I am no longer as passionate about or feel like I don't have time for. Once I narrowed my involvement down to a few things I could fully commit to, I found my experience to be very fulfilling. So my biggest advice is to get involved in something you're truly passionate about and invest your whole life into it. Your college experience will be more memorable if it consists of activities and people that you are passionate about. College may seem like a long time, but four years go by in the blink of an eye. Don't waste your time on things that don't add anything to your life.
You have taken advantage of many opportunities for hands-on learning, including contributing to the Daily Nebraskan and reporting with Global Eyewitness. What was the best thing about being able to go out and learn in a real-world environment?
The School of Journalism's motto is to take action from day one. This means he doesn't have to wait until his third grade or her fourth grade to do hands-on learning. This feeling is one of the many reasons I chose to come to her UNL and has been a large part of my college experience. I learned a lot from my classes and professors, but my real world experiences shaped me into the person I am today. Being able to write for The Nebraskan Daily since my freshman year of college allowed me to spend four years honing my craft and producing work that helped me find work. Now, as a sports editorial assistant, I have learned a completely different side of journalism and continue to learn it every day. Working at DN also helped me land other career opportunities, including internships at the Denver Post (through the Sports Journalism Institute) and the Omaha World-Herald. In doing so, I gained professional experience and work that made my transition into the “real world” easier.
Beyond mere experience, being out in a real-world environment and learning is valuable for networking and building relationships with media professionals. I have found that building good relationships with people is extremely important in the journalism industry. In the journalism industry, “who you know” is often more important than “what you know.” Finally, gaining real-world experience has helped me find what I love and discover different fields I had never considered before. For example, I got to step on the mic for the first time on his new DN show on 93.7 The Ticket. This is an important new skill that I would never have considered had I not accepted this opportunity.
Is there something you want to achieve in your life?
My goal right now is to become a sports journalist for a major metro newspaper or publication. However, I also have a passion for multimedia storytelling and content creation, so I could pursue a career around that, such as working for a sports team. You don't know what your job search will be like in the next few months, much less what you'll do in your lifetime. Either way, I want to continue doing storytelling in some form, and that's what got me into journalism in the first place. While I love writing features about athletes' personal journeys, I'm still fascinated by the ability of a camera lens to bring a story to life. I want to continue writing impactful stories that resonate with many readers, especially those surrounding women. Additionally, by continuing to connect with future budding journalists, we hope to contribute to and influence increasing the number of women and minorities in newsrooms. Sure, awards and recognition are great, but it's also really great to be better at what you do every day and inspire others in the process.
What or who inspires you?
My mother is my biggest inspiration. She has been my biggest supporter throughout my life, always pushing me to be the best person, student, and journalist I can be. Despite the grim outlook of the journalism industry, she encourages me to follow her dream of becoming a sportswriter. She was diligent in her work and always made sure to provide the best life and opportunities for me and her sister. She is the most selfless person I know and I can only hope to be as great a parent as she is. Without her I wouldn't be here now and I'm grateful for everything she did for me throughout my college years and my life.
Besides my mother, I would also like to add that I am inspired every day by the students around campus. UNL is full of talented, hard-working, and accomplished people. That always motivates me to go the extra mile.
What advice would you give to other students looking to make an impact on campus?
My biggest advice to those looking to make an impact on campus is to get involved in something you are truly passionate about. When your heart is fully invested in something, it makes the experience better for both you and the other person. Another thing to keep in mind is that making an impact doesn't have to be huge and life-changing. Making an impact may mean developing friendships with your peers, leading an RSO, or simply helping someone with a class. There is a place for everyone on campus, and your level of influence can be large or small. A leader doesn't just mean someone with a formal title. You can become a leader in many ways, including leading group projects and helping plan events. What makes this campus special are the people. Be open to meeting, interacting and learning from others.
Finally, find something bigger than yourself while you're in college. This can be in the form of volunteering in your community, leading an after-school club (recommended!), or serving as a peer mentor or ambassador for your university. Doing something like this may not fit into everyone's schedule, but if you have the ability, I would love to do something that is meaningful to others and that is close to your heart. I want to try to find something that resonates with me. These experiences were some of the best of my university life and I will never forget them. Not only do you have the ability to influence others, you just might find someone who will change your life forever.
