Be a Swiss army knife – Kimberly Blum

When Journalism senior Kimberly Blum was ten years old, she was put on the team for her elementary school’s morning announcements. She has been a journalist ever since.

She continued to write and report all the way through high school, winning a National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation (NATAS) National Student Production Award in the process. When it came time to apply for college, UF seemed like a no-brainer.

“UF and the CJC stood out to me immediately,” Blum explained, “and I knew I needed to be a part of WUFT.”

When Blum arrived at UF as a freshman, she intended to continue pursuing reporting, but after completing an internship at WCJB, she began to question if reporting was truly her future. She began trying new career paths, like live broadcasting, radio, photojournalism, video production and directing. 

Exploring these branching paths helped her make the most of her time at CJC, and by her senior year she was an accomplished writer and producer. She produced content for WUFT, including a report for the 2025 Inauguration, placed 8th place in the Hearst Journalism Awards for a video she created about Hurricane Helene and earned a spot at CNN Academy in 2025. She also spent a semester studying abroad in Costa Rica, where she and her fellow students created stories and videos that placed seventh place in that year’s Hearst awards. One mantra kept her going: “Be a Swiss army knife.”

“It means that you should try to do everything and understand everything,” Blum explained. “By being as knowledgeable and multifaceted as possible, you make yourself a stronger candidate.”

Eventually, Blum found her true passion for producing and set out to become a producer for a local journalism outlet. During the 2024 election night, she produced an hour-long show going over results as they came in, and she spent a combined 30 hours producing shows covering Hurricanes Helene and Milton. During her junior year, she also accepted an internship at KING-TV in Seattle, and received a return offer the following semester. 

At the heart of Blum’s journey is a deep belief in the power of local journalism. Local newsrooms serve as the backbone of informed communities, providing timely, accurate reporting that directly affects people’s daily lives. From covering elections to tracking severe weather, local journalists are often the first on the ground, tasked with finding the facts and holding institutions accountable. For aspiring journalists, Blum’s path is a reminder that curiosity, adaptability and a commitment to truth are essential. In an era of misinformation, young journalists play a critical role as fact-finders, storytellers and trusted voices to ensure communities stay informed, engaged and empowered.

Outside of the classroom, Blum is an avid photographer and traveler, having opened a graduation business with her friends and exploring the world with her family and boyfriend. She is also an active member of the UF Journalism and Communications Ambassadors (JCA), a student organization that supports CJC students by offering academic and personal development opportunities. 

This profile was featured in the 2026 Dean’s Report.

Category: College News, Profiles, Student Profiles
Tagged: Dean’s Report 2026 Graduation Journalism student experience
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