Welcome to our newest feature, Behind the Byline. Each issue, we’ll feature the people bringing us the news – from reporters to producers and podcasters.
Our first subject is Michael Machosky, who is a unique communicator, doubling as a PR professional and freelance writer. Splitting his time between Markowitz Communications and NEXTpittsburgh, he certainly writes a lot. Let’s learn more about him:
What do you cover or like to write about?
NEXTpittsburgh is always looking for stories, but my subject areas include development projects for City Design news, food stories for the Eat/Drink section and technology news.
Where are you from and where did you go to school?
I grew up in Gibsonia and Columbus, Ohio, and went to Duquesne University, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications and English and a master’s in corporate communications and English.
What made you decide to become a reporter?
While getting my master’s at Duquesne University, I fell in love with telling stories. I began contributing articles to Duquesne’s student newspaper, The Duquesne Duke, and later became the general manager for the university’s student radio station, WDSR 97.7 FM.
What was your first job?
Even though I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do while in college, my student news experience helped me get my first job at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review as a staff writer. I wrote a lot of different stories, but I loved covering the food and music scene. I was the restaurant critic, movie critic and music reporter. In fact, I interviewed several well-known musicians, including Alicia Keys and Henry Rollins.
Tell us a fun fact about you.
I live in Greenfield with my wife, Shaunna, and my 8-year-old son. I also love checking out new places to go in Pittsburgh. Some of my new favorite places are KLVN Coffee Lab in the East End and Con Alma in Shadyside.
– Robin Rectenwald, WordWrite