A little bit about me: I'm a breaking news reporter for The Dallas Morning News. I recently graduated from Fresno State University, where I majored in political science and digital journalism.  I was born in Karachi, Pakistan, but have spent most of my life in cities in the U.S., including Queens, New York, and Memphis, Tennessee. My work has appeared in The Oregonian, The Sacramento Bee, The Fresno Bee, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Collegian, CalMatters and the Visalia Times-Delta. As a journalist, I'm interested in writing about higher education, criminal justice and state and local politics. 

Experience: 

The Oregonian
Public Safety Intern (June 2022 - Aug. 2022): Covered crime, courts and breaking news assignments in the Portland-metro area. Covered several fatal shootings in the city, talking to people on the scene as well as police, prosecutors and defense lawyers. Spoke with family members of several people that were killed in shootings and wrote about their life. Covered the state's public defense system and the crisis it faces as well as an appeals court hearing for a lawsuit against Oregon's governor involving her clemency power. Wrote a data-analysis story detailing the rise of the number of concealed carry permits in the state and Portland's tri-counties in the last nine years.

CalMatters College Journalism Network
Reporting Fellow (Oct. 2021 - May 2022): Covered the California State University System with three other fellows. Focusing on data-driven reporting related to on-campus vaccination policies and mental health initiatives across the system.
Contributor (Dec. 2020 - April 2021): Wrote a feature piece documenting the journey of a student completing their undergraduate education remotely in Malaysia. Helped cover the early COVID-19 vaccine rollout for Cal State colleges and explained why certain campuses were first in line.

The Sacramento Bee
General Assignment Intern (June 2021 - Aug. 2021): Covered many breaking news assignments including earthquakes, wildfires, and a jet crash in the Truckee, California, area. Went on assignment to Rancho Cordova to cover discussions regarding the development of a civic center at city hall. Covered a mass shooting in Old Sacramento and what changes residents, officials, and the mayor wanted to see after the incident. 

The Collegian
Editor-in-Chief (Dec. 2020 - Dec. 2021): Oversaw a staff of about 15 and help with the production of the weekly newspaper. Make final calls regarding publication online and in print. Help shape the future of the paper from a financial perspective and from an editorial perspective through recruiting.
Managing Editor (May 2020 - Dec. 2020): Worked with the section editors to devise content for the website. Helped resolve any internal conflicts between reporters and editors. Served as a helping hand for reporters on how to craft good stories and make most of their time at the paper. 
Sports Editor (Jan. 2020 - May 2020): Reported on Fresno State's Division I athletic teams. Covered basketball, baseball, softball, wrestling, and esports during my tenure. Wrote game stories and longer narrative pieces that were posted online and published in the newspaper.

Contact:
Email - zaeem.shaikh84@gmail.com
Twitter - @zaeemshake
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaeem-shaikh/