JACOB A. FISCHLER
140 M St. NE • Apt. 755 • Washington, D.C. 20002 •-•- • @fischlerCQ
EXPERIENCE
Congressional Quarterly (CQ)
Washington, D.C.
Transportation Policy Reporter
May 2016-present
Write in-depth breaking news articles, features and analysis about federal transportation policy under tight deadlines.
Report on every step of the federal budget and appropriations process, with a focus on real-world effects of policy choices.
Develop sources on and off Capitol Hill who leak information and documents that allow me break stories.
Interview experts and conduct research to maintain expertise in transportation and infrastructure issues.
Write long-term stories of up to 4,000 words for CQ Magazine while balancing daily responsibilities.
Amplify my work through appearances on TV, podcasts and live programs to discuss my work for CQ.
Law 360
Washington, D.C.
General Assignments Reporter
Feb. 2015-May 2016
Reported four stories per day covering transportation, telecommunications and privacy litigation, regulation and legislation.
Culled court and agency records to pull the most interesting details into concise and informative stories for business lawyers.
The Monitor
McAllen, Texas
Hidalgo County, City of Edinburg and Legislative Affairs Reporter
October 2013-January 2015
Pitched and reported 6-8 stories per week covering city and county governments and local legislative delegations in Austin,
Texas and Washington, D.C., that appeared several times a week on the front page of the largest newspaper in the Rio
Grande Valley.
Broke stories on immigration, state government and national politics that were picked up by wire services and media outlets,
including the Washington Post, drawing national attention to The Monitor and traffic to its website.
Cultivated sources in government, business and community groups to find story ideas and gather leaked documents.
Searched public records and file FOIA and Texas Public Information Act requests to acquire public documents and data.
Juggled daily deadlines with long-term enterprise work.
Won Texas AP Managing Editors Star Reporter of the Year award for Class AAA for my work in 2014.
Public Safety, Courts and Breaking News Reporter
April 2013-December 2013
Beat competing news outlets by breaking news via social media and posting short updates directly to the paper’s website.
Covered the sheriff’s office, municipal police departments, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and breaking news.
Medill Watchdog
Evanston, Ill.
Investigative Reporting Intern
January-March 2013
Assisted Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters investigate corruption in the Cook County judicial system.
Developed investigative stories by using records collection and data analysis to identify trends.
AWARDS
Texas Associated Press Managing Editors 2015
First Place, Class AAA Star Reporter – Judges: “Amazing. Jacob Fischler showed courageous reporting through every entry.”
Second Place, Class AAA Specialty Reporting – For work reporting on 2014 immigration surge.
Third Place, Class AAA Star Investigative Report – For the paper’s metro desk’s coverage of local impact of 2014 immigration surge.
EDUCATION
Medill School, Northwestern University
Master of Journalism, reporting track — urban issues focus
University of Minnesota: College of Liberal Arts
Bachelor of Arts, American Studies
Evanston, Ill.
December 2012
Minneapolis, Minn.
May 2009
SKILLS
Language: Basic Spanish
Computer Literacy: Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, multiple social media platforms; proficient in Adobe Master Suite.
Public Records: Heavy use of PACER, LexisNexis, Federal Elections Commission, state and county-level search systems.
