When I first came to SDSU, my only dream was to work for the SDSU Collegian. The summer before my freshman year, I sent an email to the managing editor telling him how interested I was in writing for the newspaper. As soon as I got to campus, I went down to the office and filled out my application. By the third issue, I had my first story.
At first working for the Collegian seemed like such an honor. I was asked to be a front page reporter and I felt like I was getting some real experience. By the end of my freshman year, the editor-in-chief encouraged me to apply for a section editor position. I did and was selected as the campus editor for the following year.
I was super excited. This is exactly what I wanted, but sooner that I an expected. I thought I would have to wait for a few more years until I became an editor.
Soon the glory ran off, and being an editor became a major pain. I was working 20-30 hours a week. I felt like I was in the office way more than anyone else, including some of the executive editors. But I kept working really hard. I wrote 3 to 4 stories a week, in addition to designing my pages.
Then in December, I was offered the managing editor position. I was scared, but I took it. That is when my vision of the Collegian turned ugly. I started to really see the newspapers problems, worse yet, realize there wasn't much I could do about it. I tried to make it a good paper, but something was always blocking me.
I used to come home after our weekly meetings and cry and cry. I soon stopped putting so much time and effort into it, because my sweat wasn't paying off.
At about this time, the SA was taking editor-in-chief applications for the following year. Many professors, students, alumni and even President Peggy Miller encouraged me to apply. All of them said they want me to do it, but I just couldn't. My passion had ran out a long time ago.
Although I applied, I turned down the position in order to take an internship with the Legislature. That is when Jeremy Fugelberg and I began lobbying to bring in a consultant.
I worked on the consultant issue for a while and was eager with the results. I slowly turned my back on the Collegian, mainly to personnel problems. But I still love that newspaper.
Last week was the deadline for next year's editor-in-chief, and even though I was approached by professors and student leaders, I didn't turn in my application. It was filled out, but it didn't make it to the office. Why? Because I don't want it.
I love the Collegian and do want to make it a better newspaper, but I have realized I don't want to go into newspapers. So why give up a great job at Daktronics to work my butt off in a job I don't want?
So I have decided to apply for the managing position, even though I am not sure I want that either. I made a commitment that I would come back my senior year and I will follow through with that, but I am not sure if it is what I really want. The managing position will allow me to still work at Daktronics, so that is a bonus. But I am not sure if I am up to the task again.
I guess I will try it. I really am not sure where I stand with the Collegian and how I want to be involved, but I don't know what else to do. Part of me wants to go in there and work hard to create a great newspaper and the other half wants me to move on without the Collegian.
I really don't know what to do. Maybe I'll never know.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Sunday, March 26, 2006
News or Editorial
Today, the Argus Leader's main story was about South Dakota's missed opportunity of wind energy. It talked about how some are upset that South Dakota hasn't developed wind energy because it is a good investment and it would create a lot of jobs.
I for one think wind energy is a great idea and I am disappointed in our government because this state hasn't really studied it. I think it would bring many great things to South Dakota and is something that we should be looking at.
The Argus Leader did a good job of showing the public how the state is passing up wind energy, but they did it the wrong way. Although the story contained good sources and facts, it seemed very biased. The author was trying to prove a point, not just explain a situtation.
I understand that when you feel strongly about something you want others to see your point of view, but the Argus made a big mistake. It's stories like this that make readers feel like newspapers are trying to tell them how to think, because that is what this story was doing.
You can write an editorial or analysis, but leave the main Sunday story for facts.
I for one think wind energy is a great idea and I am disappointed in our government because this state hasn't really studied it. I think it would bring many great things to South Dakota and is something that we should be looking at.
The Argus Leader did a good job of showing the public how the state is passing up wind energy, but they did it the wrong way. Although the story contained good sources and facts, it seemed very biased. The author was trying to prove a point, not just explain a situtation.
I understand that when you feel strongly about something you want others to see your point of view, but the Argus made a big mistake. It's stories like this that make readers feel like newspapers are trying to tell them how to think, because that is what this story was doing.
You can write an editorial or analysis, but leave the main Sunday story for facts.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Writing to prove a point
I am not good with the spoken word. I often jumble what I am saying and talk too fast so that people don't understand me. I am not perfect at the written word, but I am able to express myself a little more that way.
Sometimes I feel so passionately about something that the only way I can get through to people is by writing. That is why I like column writing. I have written some really personal columns that talked about my battle with an easting disorder, dealing with a loved in Iraq and my hardships of growing up.
In order to do this, you have to use creative and captivating words. Word choice is crucial in getting people's attention. And the way you write as to be flowing and easy to read.
I ask you to read this column by Kevin Woster, http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2006/03/17/news/top/news02.txt. He does an amazing job of telling people how great the little town of Pierre really is. And he did so with beautiful writing.
I yearn to write like this, to grab a story and make something wonderful out of it. Hopefully, I can write columns like this someday.
Sometimes I feel so passionately about something that the only way I can get through to people is by writing. That is why I like column writing. I have written some really personal columns that talked about my battle with an easting disorder, dealing with a loved in Iraq and my hardships of growing up.
In order to do this, you have to use creative and captivating words. Word choice is crucial in getting people's attention. And the way you write as to be flowing and easy to read.
I ask you to read this column by Kevin Woster, http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2006/03/17/news/top/news02.txt. He does an amazing job of telling people how great the little town of Pierre really is. And he did so with beautiful writing.
I yearn to write like this, to grab a story and make something wonderful out of it. Hopefully, I can write columns like this someday.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
It's worth it
The past two months have been rough for me journalistically. I worked many 10-hour days in unpleasant working conditions, often writing stories about subjects I didn't even know existed. I often asked myself why do I put myself through this much tortue and this much stress for little benefits and littler pay. Today I found my anwser.
In today's Argus Leader, Randy Hascall wrote an incredible story about two wrestlers who were each other's biggest rivals and went head to head in the state championship while recovering from the lose of a loved one.
The story was so inspiring and full of emotion, not to mention Hascall did an incredible job writing it. I teared up many times while reading the story and about lost it in the the Yeager Lobby as I read the final sentence. I am a journalist because of stories like this.
In my journalism career, I hope to tell amazing tales such as this one. I want to write about someone's heroic tale and I want to write about it well. If I could have my ideal job, it would be traveling the country and telling the different stories of the folks I encounter.
I enjoy writing stories like this because it forces me to be creative and step out of the box. It forces me to write well in order to give the subject justice. Writing a news story isn't hard, anybody can write one. But it takes a great deal of talent to write a beautiful feature story. And that is what I want to do.
When times get tough and I am sick of writing the same old news story, I remember the good feature stories I wrote. Because in order to be able to write feature stories, you have to start with the hard news. And to me, it's worth it.
In today's Argus Leader, Randy Hascall wrote an incredible story about two wrestlers who were each other's biggest rivals and went head to head in the state championship while recovering from the lose of a loved one.
The story was so inspiring and full of emotion, not to mention Hascall did an incredible job writing it. I teared up many times while reading the story and about lost it in the the Yeager Lobby as I read the final sentence. I am a journalist because of stories like this.
In my journalism career, I hope to tell amazing tales such as this one. I want to write about someone's heroic tale and I want to write about it well. If I could have my ideal job, it would be traveling the country and telling the different stories of the folks I encounter.
I enjoy writing stories like this because it forces me to be creative and step out of the box. It forces me to write well in order to give the subject justice. Writing a news story isn't hard, anybody can write one. But it takes a great deal of talent to write a beautiful feature story. And that is what I want to do.
When times get tough and I am sick of writing the same old news story, I remember the good feature stories I wrote. Because in order to be able to write feature stories, you have to start with the hard news. And to me, it's worth it.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Touch them all Kirby Puckett
Yesterday, one of baseball's greatest players was remembered in the arena that he became famous. Yesterday, the Minnesota Twins said goodbye to the best player to ever grace the Metrodome. Yesterday, the world honored Kirby Puckett.
Kirby's death was hard for me. I am not by any means a Twins fan or a baseball fan for that matter, but I have known Kirby all my life.
My father is probably one of the biggest baseball fans and has loved Kirby since he took the field in 1984, seven months before I was born. 14 months later, another Kirby fan was born into my family, my brother Chris. My dad and brother loved Kirby and would talk about him all the time. They had Kirby posters, baseball cards and any other types of memobrila they could get their hands on.
I was about 6 when I first saw Kirby play. I can't tell you how he played that game or who the Twins even played, but I was amazed by him. My dad's and brother's obession with this ball player had installed his stardome in my head and I knew he was great.
The thing I loved about Kirby is that he always was smiling. I never remember him being a poor sport and I never remember him complaining about his pay. But that centerfielder always was happy because he got to play the game.
I remember the day Kirby retired, my dad and brother were devestated to see the Twins go on with out him. And I guess, I kinda was too. I have been to several Twins games since he retired, and the team just isn't the same without him, no matter how cute Joe Mauer is.
The day he died, my heart sank. It felt like a family member had died and I wish I could have been at the Metrodome yesterday to say goodbye.
I will always remember the joy on dad's and brother's face when he was up to bat. Kirby Puckett may be gone, but I will never forget the smile on #34's face when he ran from the dugout to centerfield.
Kirby's death was hard for me. I am not by any means a Twins fan or a baseball fan for that matter, but I have known Kirby all my life.
My father is probably one of the biggest baseball fans and has loved Kirby since he took the field in 1984, seven months before I was born. 14 months later, another Kirby fan was born into my family, my brother Chris. My dad and brother loved Kirby and would talk about him all the time. They had Kirby posters, baseball cards and any other types of memobrila they could get their hands on.
I was about 6 when I first saw Kirby play. I can't tell you how he played that game or who the Twins even played, but I was amazed by him. My dad's and brother's obession with this ball player had installed his stardome in my head and I knew he was great.
The thing I loved about Kirby is that he always was smiling. I never remember him being a poor sport and I never remember him complaining about his pay. But that centerfielder always was happy because he got to play the game.
I remember the day Kirby retired, my dad and brother were devestated to see the Twins go on with out him. And I guess, I kinda was too. I have been to several Twins games since he retired, and the team just isn't the same without him, no matter how cute Joe Mauer is.
The day he died, my heart sank. It felt like a family member had died and I wish I could have been at the Metrodome yesterday to say goodbye.
I will always remember the joy on dad's and brother's face when he was up to bat. Kirby Puckett may be gone, but I will never forget the smile on #34's face when he ran from the dugout to centerfield.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
The switch
This week I went back to my job at Daktronics in the marketing sales and service department. One of my major responsibilities is writing news release. I am one of three who has strong writing skills my department so I am given many releases.
While I was gone, they didn't have much time to write many releases so I for the first few weeks I have to get them caught up. Writing news releases has always been for me because I get to be very creative with my language without being worried about fairness.
When I started to write my first release, I had a hard time of creating something that wasn't boring. I couldn't figure out then it hit me.
I just spent two months writing stories for the Legislature and working very diligently to keep things unbiased, now I have to switch. And it is really hard to get used to.
I remember a conversation we had in the news room how it can be hard to switch from public relations to news writing and vice versus, kind of like a baseball player trying to play softball. All the rules you learned in news writing are completely thrown out in public relations. And it can be difficult. I guess that is why there is such animosity between the news and public relations fields.
Right now, I have many barriers that have to be broken for me to write a good news release. It's hard but I am sure that I will get used to it after a couple of releases.
While I was gone, they didn't have much time to write many releases so I for the first few weeks I have to get them caught up. Writing news releases has always been for me because I get to be very creative with my language without being worried about fairness.
When I started to write my first release, I had a hard time of creating something that wasn't boring. I couldn't figure out then it hit me.
I just spent two months writing stories for the Legislature and working very diligently to keep things unbiased, now I have to switch. And it is really hard to get used to.
I remember a conversation we had in the news room how it can be hard to switch from public relations to news writing and vice versus, kind of like a baseball player trying to play softball. All the rules you learned in news writing are completely thrown out in public relations. And it can be difficult. I guess that is why there is such animosity between the news and public relations fields.
Right now, I have many barriers that have to be broken for me to write a good news release. It's hard but I am sure that I will get used to it after a couple of releases.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
The wacky newsroom
Being in the newspaper business can suck. Things get stressful and newsrooms can be tense. But sometimes between that tension lies a little craziness.
I have worked for four different newspapers and spent many, many long hours in those four different newsrooms. Those four newsrooms contained different people and different capabilities.
The time I spent in the newsroom was great and was accompanied by stress. I cried, flipped out, swore, broke things and got upset in the newsroom in front of my collegues. Somedays, the thought of walking into that room gave me chills. But there was always a good reason to be there.
No, it wasn't my enthusiasim to report the news or the fact that I would be making the big bucks. It was the people.
In the four newsrooms I have worked in I have met friends, a significant other and mentors. I laughed and cried with them. I learned and grew from them. Some of my favorite moments were spent in those newsrooms.
The lifelong jokes and friendships that are created in the newsroom make this job better than others. It's because of my experience in the newsroom, I love doing this job.
I have worked for four different newspapers and spent many, many long hours in those four different newsrooms. Those four newsrooms contained different people and different capabilities.
The time I spent in the newsroom was great and was accompanied by stress. I cried, flipped out, swore, broke things and got upset in the newsroom in front of my collegues. Somedays, the thought of walking into that room gave me chills. But there was always a good reason to be there.
No, it wasn't my enthusiasim to report the news or the fact that I would be making the big bucks. It was the people.
In the four newsrooms I have worked in I have met friends, a significant other and mentors. I laughed and cried with them. I learned and grew from them. Some of my favorite moments were spent in those newsrooms.
The lifelong jokes and friendships that are created in the newsroom make this job better than others. It's because of my experience in the newsroom, I love doing this job.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
News Geek
I like to consider myself a news geek. Why? Because I love the news.
My homepage is www.nytimes.com. I recieve the New York Times, Argus Leader, SDSU Collegian and USD Volant headlines in the mail. One of my joys is the Sunday Newspaper. I was so thrilled when my gym added TVs so that I could run and watch the nightly news. But I still don't read the newspaper enough.
There is a lot of major things that go on in the world that I don't know about, yet I know more than others because it is something I am interested in. I do believe that I am not as informed as a journalism student should be and I do try. But between work and school, it is hard to read the newspaper or even watch a half-hour program.
Technology has made it easy for us to get news at the click of a button, but why does much of society, including, don't take advantage of it as we should? Maybe people are more concerned about spending time with family than reading the newspaper. Maybe they have to work two jobs and just don't have the time. Or they possibly don't care.
I am a firm believer that news is very important and that everyone should receive some sort of daily news, but not everyone cares. And our job as journalists is to make them care. How do we do that? That is a question I think all journalists struggle to find the anwser.
My homepage is www.nytimes.com. I recieve the New York Times, Argus Leader, SDSU Collegian and USD Volant headlines in the mail. One of my joys is the Sunday Newspaper. I was so thrilled when my gym added TVs so that I could run and watch the nightly news. But I still don't read the newspaper enough.
There is a lot of major things that go on in the world that I don't know about, yet I know more than others because it is something I am interested in. I do believe that I am not as informed as a journalism student should be and I do try. But between work and school, it is hard to read the newspaper or even watch a half-hour program.
Technology has made it easy for us to get news at the click of a button, but why does much of society, including, don't take advantage of it as we should? Maybe people are more concerned about spending time with family than reading the newspaper. Maybe they have to work two jobs and just don't have the time. Or they possibly don't care.
I am a firm believer that news is very important and that everyone should receive some sort of daily news, but not everyone cares. And our job as journalists is to make them care. How do we do that? That is a question I think all journalists struggle to find the anwser.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
And the winner goes to...
As I watched part of the pre-show for the Academy Awards, someone mentioned that each year at the awards there is over 1400 journalists that come to scope out the show. That number intrigued me.
If you figured that some sources of medica have two to three journalists covering the event, that means they probalby is close to 1200 types of media that cover the event first hand. Some of those are wire services so that its possible that every type of media has access to some type of Oscar coverage.
This makes me realize how important entertainment and entertainment gossip is to our culture.
For some reason, our society's obession with pop culture upsets me. There are millions of people suffering as we speak and but tomorrow's headlines will be about whose dress was the ugliest. Why is that? Because those headlines make money.
I hope to never get into entertainment reporting, because I want to make a difference with my writing. And entertainment reporting is not the way to do that.
It may make money, but I would rather starve in order to help people.
If you figured that some sources of medica have two to three journalists covering the event, that means they probalby is close to 1200 types of media that cover the event first hand. Some of those are wire services so that its possible that every type of media has access to some type of Oscar coverage.
This makes me realize how important entertainment and entertainment gossip is to our culture.
For some reason, our society's obession with pop culture upsets me. There are millions of people suffering as we speak and but tomorrow's headlines will be about whose dress was the ugliest. Why is that? Because those headlines make money.
I hope to never get into entertainment reporting, because I want to make a difference with my writing. And entertainment reporting is not the way to do that.
It may make money, but I would rather starve in order to help people.
Friday, March 03, 2006
Dunzo
Well I finished my internship this week. The last few weeks of this have been grueling and I have been putting in a lot of overtime. So I am glad it is done.
But I am also glad I had the chance to do this. I have learned more about journalism than in my three years at SDSU. I have a better appreciation and understanding of this field. I guess that is why internships are required.
I also enjoyed this internship because I met some amazing people. I met many great journalists and state leaders who will be excellent contacts for me in the future.
Overall, it was a great experience and I learned a lot about journalism, state government and the real world.
This internship has really made me appreciate being young and a college student. The real world is tough and I now realize I can wait to get in to it.
But I am also glad I had the chance to do this. I have learned more about journalism than in my three years at SDSU. I have a better appreciation and understanding of this field. I guess that is why internships are required.
I also enjoyed this internship because I met some amazing people. I met many great journalists and state leaders who will be excellent contacts for me in the future.
Overall, it was a great experience and I learned a lot about journalism, state government and the real world.
This internship has really made me appreciate being young and a college student. The real world is tough and I now realize I can wait to get in to it.
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