Dear MVJ Community,
Six years ago, Russell and Zack came together to create Military Veterans in Journalism, aiming to support vets who struggled to build journalism careers just as they had. While I wasn’t there at the beginning, I’ve had the immense honor to help foster this community’s growth and create new opportunities for veterans and spouses to bring diversity to the industry. Today, MVJ members number 1,100+ strong making a difference in newsrooms across the nation.
Just like the team behind this organization and each and every one of you, I believe journalism is a service to the nation. But I also know that veterans and military spouses often face barriers that prevent them from continuing their service to the American people and chasing their civilian dreams in this industry. When I first met Zack a few years ago, and when he first introduced me to MVJ, I knew the potential that this community had to change the news world for the better, especially given my own experiences as a journalist and military spouse.
I was already a journalist before meeting my husband, who previously served as part of Naval Special Warfare (now separated), but had to quickly adapt my career to a military family lifestyle. Luckily, I was able to carry my career with me as we moved from New Orleans to Virginia Beach to Philadelphia with our children. However, for many military spouses and veterans, taking breaks or starting their careers later can bring a constant uphill battle to find their place in the industry.
That’s where MVJ comes in. This organization works tirelessly to advocate for the inclusion of veteran and military family voices in the media, regardless of separation time, taking breaks, or any of the other myriad of struggles that can come from a military lifestyle. MVJ provides all manner of opportunities for veterans and spouses to learn new skills, enhance prior skills, and enhance their civilian journalism careers. Perhaps most importantly, MVJ provides a space for the military-connected members of the journalism field to discuss, cover, and help create impact on the issues that matter most to us, together.
If you’re looking for resources to jumpstart your career, I and the entire MVJ team urge you to take full advantage of the opportunities for connection and growth your membership helps provide. Make sure you apply to MVJ internship and fellowship opportunities when they’re available, become a mentee – or even a mentor! – and tune in to the variety of skill development and networking events happening each month.
Thank you all for being part of this community with me, and for your support of this organization and our work over these past six years. Thank you for continuing your service via journalism. I am honored to be on the Board of Directors of an organization that continues to provide opportunities and advocate for its community at a time when having our voices in news coverage is perhaps more critical than ever.
All my best,
Lucy Bustamante
MVJ Board Member
