From AU to the White House: Camila DeChalus’ Journey to Political Journalism

Camila DeChalus, CNN White House reporter, has built a career as a political reporter driven by a deep commitment to uncovering the truth behind political events that shape our lives and communicating them through impactful storytelling. With roles including Political Reporter for The Washington Post, Senior D.C. Politics Reporter for Business Insider, and News Associate at CNN, DeChalus has built an impressive track record. Her journey to becoming a prominent voice in the coverage od national politics is an ode to the power of hard work, diverse experiences, and a commitment to the facts.

As a White House reporter, DeChalus tackles the constant influx of information by stepping back to assess which stories need to be told. "There is so much going on all the time," she says. With this responsibility comes the need for thoroughness and accuracy. "I'm always fact-checking my information and talking to as many different people as possible to get a better sense of what is going on." Her approach to reporting is grounded in the belief that understanding multiple perspectives is essential to delivering thorough, comprehensive stories.

She believes that versatility is one of the most crucial skills for success in political journalism. "Being able to adapt to different environments and learn new things is really important," she says. The ever-evolving nature of the field of journalism requires reporters to find innovative ways to connect with their audiences.

Her interest in journalism was sparked by a natural curiosity. "I've always loved storytelling and learning about different ideas," she says. But it was at SOC that she could see how her passion could be her profession. "I took several broadcast journalism classes that solidified my decision to pursue this career," DeChalus explains. The location of AU in the nation's capital played a key role in her growth. "I also took advantage of being in DC and secured a lot of internships that gave me real-world experience in the journalism industry," she says. These hands-on opportunities not only enhanced her skills but also gave her a deeper understanding of the political landscape.

SOC provided not only the academic foundation but also the opportunities to grow as a reporter and storyteller. AU fellowship with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting helped DeChalus refine her interview and multimedia skills. "They helped me shape a better understanding of the kind of journalist I wanted to be," she reflects.

DeChalus emphasizes the importance of diversity in political journalism. "Having a wide array of diverse perspectives is really important," she says.

Today, DeChalus uses her platform to shed light on the issues that matter most, and looks for untold or overlooked narratives. As she considers her path from AU to the White House, Camila encourages young journalists to embrace the power of diversity and to always remain curious. "Never stop learning," she says. "And make sure that the stories you tell are the ones that need to be told."