In August 2008, just after his graduation from Boston College and a month after the death of his father, NBC News hired Russert as a correspondent covering youth issues as part of its coverage of the 2008 presidential election. He was assigned to cover both the Democratic and Republican conventions. His election day report, which explored the impact of Barack Obama's win on young people, contributed to NBC's News &amp; Documentary Emmy award for its 2008 Election Night coverage.