Goldberg moved to Michigan's Detroit Free Press, where she became the first woman to be sent to Lansing, the state capitol, where she covered the governor and legislature.[6] She simultaneously finished her degree at Michigan State University.[12][7] She then moved to California's San Jose Mercury News, as a reporter, where she played a key role in the paper's coverage of the Loma Prieta earthquake, which went on to win a Pulitzer Prize.[13][14] In 1989 she joined USA Today and, over ten years, worked across News, Life and Enterprise.[15] Goldberg moved up the ranks at USA Today and eventually became deputy managing editor.[16]