By Amanda Todd
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

People magazine correspondent Gabrielle Cosgriff recently visited UH-Clear Lake to speak to students from magazine and newspaper publications about her career in journalism.

People magazine correspondent Gabrielle Cosgriff (right) visits with students.
photo by Amanda Todd

Cosgriff has been a full-time staff member for People magazine for three years. Actively involved in the women's movement, she helped start a magazine called Houston Breakthrough. This publication served as a voice for women for five years.

"It was fantastic," Cosgriff said. "I think one of the best introductions [to journalism] is to do something you care very much about."

Cosgriff went on to write free-lance stories for several national publications. She eventually began working for Ultra, an upscale magazine that is distributed Texas-wide. This publication allowed her to travel to New York.

In addition, Cosgriff traveled to Los Angeles to start a publication for Southwest Airlines called Spirit, and later returned to Houston to edit Houston Metropolitan magazine, previously known as Houston Home and Gardens.

Cosgriff also began a magazine for Memorial Hermann Hospital called H.

"That was great because I was able to work in design and I really enjoyed that," Cosgriff said. "It is impossible to separate the impact of design from the impact of your story as a whole."

Cosgriff told students to pursue their passion when planning a career in journalism.

"I think the main thing, particularly for writers, designers or anybody that has to do with communicating to other people, is really to get a life," Cosgriff said. "If you have the responsibility and the privilege of telling other people Œthis is what I think you should know' then you really need to make sure that you have as broad and as deep a knowledge as possible of what's going on in the world."

Magazine student Cara Cook found Cosgriff interesting.

"The fact that she accomplished being a writer for People magazine is inspiring. She was very knowledgeable," said Cook.

Ashley Packard, faculty advisor for Bayousphere, believes Cosgriff had a positive impact on the students.

"Generally, students appreciate learning from people who are currently working in their field of interest," Packard said. "Gabrielle's advice carries a lot of weight because the students know she is a successful writer for one of the most popular magazines in the country."

Packard was also inspired by Cosgriff's visit.

"I'm impressed that, despite her busy schedule, she is willing to drive down from Houston to mentor students in her profession," Packard said.

"A lot of professionals dismiss that responsibility. She seems to genuinely enjoy being with people who are still learning and cares about what they think."

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