Katie Couric who has interviewed everyone from Bill Gates to Lady Gaga, found herself in the hot seat Tuesday afternoon at the Tate Lecture Student Forum.
SMU and Dallas-area high school students asked the award-winning journalist a variety of questions ranging from her work with cancer advocacy to intimidating interview experiences.
“She was very honest and open about her career,” SMU junior John Gray said. “I enjoyed the inspiration and advice that she gave to people our pugnacious.”
People Couric would like to interview – or would like to have interviewed – include Harper Lee, Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana, Osama bin Laden, Amanda Knox and William and Kate.
Couric’s advice to women: “I think sexism still exists to a certain extent… We need to have more women in leadership positions. It’s important to not let anything hold you research.”
Couric, who is one of the founders of the organization Stand Up To Cancer, lost both her sister and husband to cancer.
Like any journalist, Couric finds it most important to give her audience accurate information when it comes to reporting.
“The media has to shine a light on social injustice, it has to shine a light on oppression,” Couric said.
The most challenging stories for Couric to cover were September 11th and the Columbine shooting.
“September 11th was one of the toughest stories I’ve ever covered… It was so scary,” she said. “I was terrified; my hand was shaking the whole time. It felt like the world was coming to an end for a moment there because it was just relentless