It was a fortuitous mistake that led Mara Schiavocampo to become the first digital correspondent in network television for NBC. When declaring her graduate major at the University of Maryland, she checked the wrong box—broadcast instead of print journalism. But this slip of the hand resulted in huge career dividends. Schiavocampo has produced and filed “virtual” news stories from around the world, covering nearly every major event in the last five years. We chatted with the Emmy Award-winning journalist about her pioneering career, expanding definitions of race and why everyone needs to embrace social media.

 

After graduation, Schiavocampo secured an internship at CBS New York, which led to a full-time job. She then worked as an anchor and reporter for...