Alumna is writer for The NW Indiana Times

"My advice to anyone who really wants to get a job after college in a specific field is to take every opportunity that presents itself and mold those opportunities into something that will help you achieve success."

Writing for the Purdue University Calumet student newspaper is what alumna Terrie Henderson says gave her the 'journalism bug'. Now, she is a reporter for The (NW Indiana) Times.

As a writer/reporter, Henderson covers Illinois news, ranging from community events to criminal court trials. She averages about two stories per day for publication and a feature in Sunday editions.

Henderson, a Lowell resident, earned a bachelor's degree in English from Purdue Calumet in 2005. She attributes her early career success to the skills she learned at Purdue Calumet.

"I have always loved writing, and it was something I excelled at as a child," she said. "My experience at Purdue Calumet allowed me to hone in and develop my writing skills."

While attending classes, she wrote for Purdue Calumet's student newspaper, The Chronicle, mentored as a teacher's assistant in the English Department and interned in the Office of University Relations.

"My education at Purdue Calumet has enabled me to do wonderful things in my professional career," Henderson said. "Purdue Calumet helped me gain confidence in myself and my abilities."

She says that working at The Times is a great experience, and she is happy to remain in the area.

"I love Northwest Indiana," she said. "I love the diversity of the people here, and I am deeply rooted in this region."

Dennis Barbour, head of the English and Philosophy Department at Purdue Calumet, describes Henderson as a 'can-do' person.

"Terrie has excellent technical skills," Barbour said. "She is someone who took the technical skills she learned along with a good personality and put them together to get a great job at The Times."

Associate Professor of Behavioral Sciences Linda Mura recalls Henderson as being a superb writing student.

"She is an excellent writer with a unique perspective that she expresses well," Mura said.

Henderson says that students should be energetic and passionate about what they do. "My advice to anyone who really wants to get a job after college in a specific field is to take every opportunity that presents itself and mold those opportunities into something that will help you achieve success."