Matt Doig: Database Specialist...yawn! Oh wait...

It had been a long weekend...a fun weekend, but exhausting nonetheless. I had already been through five hours of school and studying before arriving at my Public Affairs Reporting class. I enjoy the class, but I was dreading this session.

Glancing at the syllabus, the words "database specialist" glared at me from the page. Just the thought of having to spend over an hour listening to someone drone on about excel files and databases, sent me into a stupor.

As Mr. Matt Doig, investigative editor and database specialist for the Sarasota Tribune-Herald, made his way to the podium, I knew I was in for a long day. I cringed when the projector screen lit up with a giant example of an Excel data sheet. I was in for a battle against my eternal enemy, the Sandman!

But as Doig began to speak, an amazing thing happened. My ears perked up, and I found myself listening. Mildly at first, just jotting down a note here and there in an attempt to stay awake, but then more and more furtively as the presentation moved along.

What was this? Was I actually interested in databases!?

He spoke of a case where his team at the Herald broke a huge story about housing fraud. People had really been brought to justice because a few reporters had painstakingly toiled through files, pulling out information that incriminated these scumbags.

Another story involved a scandal within Florida's schools. Teachers who were earning worse grades on the various, required tests were being placed at poorer schools. This seemed unfair at the very least. The poorer schools are the ones that require the better teachers. Without the utilization of this database searching skill, this injustice may never have been brought to light.

By the time Doig was finished speaking, I was a changed student. I will never look at database specialists as having a "boring" job again. Although it may be tedious at times, there is amazing potential for its use in journalism and its ability to really make a difference in our world.

I now realize the essential nature of this tool, not only in investigative journalism, but as an item on the skill list on my resume. Thanks Matt Doig!