You can usually find Matthew Markowitz out and about on campus getting an interview or in front of a camera, reporting for the campus television station. This junior is all about staying ahead of the game when it comes to

Matthew Markowitz at his summer internship with WBFF 45, a television station in Baltimore. (Photo by Matt Markowitz, 2009.)

making it in the journalism field, which seems to be going beyond the television set and newspapers. See what Markowitz has to say about Twitter‘s role in journalism.

Q:  How did you find out about Twitter? What got you started?

MM: I signed onto Twitter this past winter when Stacey Spaulding asked everyone in 257 to have an account. I heard about it through friends who were tweeting but I never took them seriously. I now use it to connect with my sister who lives in New York.

Q: What about Twitter stands out to you or what do you like about Twitter?

MM: I really like the search feature on Twitter. Part of me wants to say that social media is the media, so I can usually find a bunch of links about a story I’m looking for by using the twitter search as opposed to Google or something else.

Q: How do you incorporate Twitter into your work?

MM: I had to start a beat blog for 258 so I made a separate account on Twitter to act as a microblog for it. twitter.com/ravensheartbeat for ravensheartbeat.wordpress.com I also have my default account which I will put random thoughts on. I really don’t care if someone finds that some of my tweets are obscure or pointless.

Q: How do you think Twitter will change the future of journalism?

MM: I see how twitter is changing journalism with the way reporters can get information out quickly, but I don’t see it as the greatest platform because it’s so limited. Any good blog beats a twitter page.

Q: Do you use any other social networks? If so, which ones?

MM: I’m on Facebook way too much. I try to tell myself I’m doing constructive things on it, but I’m worthless when I’m on Facebook unless I’m messaging someone about WMJF.  Facebook is a like a catalogue of people – a phonebook – if you will.

I take back that Facebook is worthless because I love the chat feature because it is great for last second or long distance interviews. Twitter is good for thoughts in between blog posts.