Jill Schramm shares writing talent with others, enjoys state and national conferences

One of the wonderful bonuses with NFPW pre and post conference tours is the chance to get to know members better in smaller groups. Three days touring near Moab, Utah after last year’s NFPW conference allowed me to meet many members I didn’t know very well before the conference. One was an outstanding member from North Dakota who joined us for the tour. She is a talented writer who loves her home state and is a dedicated professional who shares her talents with others. Meet unique and unbelievable member Jill Schramm.

Name:  Jill Schramm

Jill Schramm

City and State: Des Lacs, North Dakota

Affiliate and leadership: 30-year member of North Dakota Professional Communicators. Currently serve as northwest regional director on the board, a position I have held a number of years off and on. In the past, I served as college contest director and president.

Tell us a little about you.

I am a staff writer at the Minot Daily News in Minot, N.D., where I have worked since December 1986. I started as government reporter, then switched to health reporter in 1996 after my second daughter was born and worked part-time for eight years. I returned to full-time and later went back to the government beat. I currently cover mostly city and county government and also some state and federal, as well as general assignment reporting.

I am a native North Dakotan and graduate of the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. I worked several years for a weekly newspaper group in North Dakota. My husband, Craig, is a grain farmer and we have two daughters, ages 21 and 18, and four cats. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, playing piano and walking. I do some volunteer work with the Red Cross when I have time and am involved in my church.

Any career advice you would give?

Jill Schramm on the Utah post conference tour.

I would encourage anyone to always keep learning. Take advantage of opportunities to become better at what you do and pick up new skills.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I would like to be more musical. I would love to have the natural ability to play by ear and sing.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

If I could live anywhere, I probably would stay in North Dakota because there are strong job opportunities and I like the more rural lifestyle. Also, I haven’t spent enough time in other states or traveled overseas to know if I would like to live there, but I suspect that I would be content in any of a variety of communities.

What book are you reading?

Recently finished The Secret Holocaust Dairies by Nonna Bannister.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?  

I am not a very surprising person. It does surprise some people, though, to know that I once karate-chopped a board in half. It was an activity in a self-defense class.

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

NDPC and NFPW provide networking and a chance to get to know talented professionals working across the state and nation. The events that I have been able to attend have inspired and encouraged me in my profession. I have benefitted from the educational opportunities at state and national conferences.

Way to follow you: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jillschramm.5

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Tags: daily news, Jill Schramm, Minot, NFPW, North Dakota

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