One of my biggest worries going into my internship is juggling a million things, especially with the advent of online journalism. Addressing that concern, one panelist said simply, “Plan your day.”
Other advice: Get into work early and figure out exactly what needs to be done. Give yourself a certain amount of time with each task, prioritizing the stories with the earliest deadlines.
It sounds so common sense, but given the fast pace and urgency of news, it is easy to be thrown into the disarray and start panicking.
Although I like organization, I am not always organized. If I start my day with an idea of what I will do, I won’t be tearing my hair out (at least not my entire head’s worth) when I suddenly get a breaking news story or am inching uncomfortably close to a deadline.
My day will start the night before, making sure to prepare lunch ahead of time if I know I can’t break away from the desk, or fill up my gas tank if I’m going to be doing a lot of traveling the next day.
I will arrive at the newsroom at least 10 minutes early each morning, sit at my desk and draft an itinerary, scribbling down the names, numbers or addresses of sources so I can have everything in one place. I know my workload and experience at the paper will be much more manageable with this approach.
I don’t want to go bald before I even get my first job.
-- Kellie Hwang, Spring Scholar, The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, and University of Washington
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Moments of human connection
John Quinn with Scholars (left to right) Mariecar Mendoza, Craig Henry, Stephanie Armenta, Connie Llanos and Ashley Anthony.I have learned so many things during the past 56 hours at Chips Quinn orientation.
I have learned about the First Amendment from a man who not only embodies all that it stands for, John Seigenthaler, but also who is passionate about preserving it. His energy was truly inspiring.
I have learned that there are things about a career in journalism that I really didn’t understand until this trip. Given the challenges that our field is facing, it has been informative and refreshing to see so many talented journalists, working, retired, and those who have moved on to executive positions, who still believe in the future of journalism.
Learning about the five graphs from Kristen Go was great. I plan to use those principles immediately in my writing.
I have written to my web editor to let him know that as a result of my Chips Quinn experience, I have some material to bring to the discussion of online media in our newsroom. I was afraid of applying for a spot on the recently announced online team, fearing it would be perceived as arrogance to assume I belonged on that team. Now I am confident that I have something to offer.
Ironically, it is not the lessons on journalism that I will take with me after we leave tomorrow.
Karen Catone, Kristen Smith (administrative assistant with the CQS program), Jack Marsh (vice president/diversity programs for the Freedom Forum) and the lovely and charming John Quinn have repeatedly mentioned how we are now a part of a family. That is a statement often said yet rarely displayed.
Today, as I watched the tears flow during the tribute to Dick Thien, I could not help but cry, too.
But my tears were not sad. I cried because moments like that, moments of human connection, are so hard to find.
I thought about my connection to someone I have never met. As I heard Mr. Quinn talk about his son Chips, I couldn't help but think how incredible it would have been to meet and talk with him. Yet his memory will live on through my career, as it has in the careers of 1,033 journalists in the last 16 years. I hope to make him proud.
-- Connie Llanos, reporter, Daily News, Los Angeles, and California State University-Northridge
I have learned about the First Amendment from a man who not only embodies all that it stands for, John Seigenthaler, but also who is passionate about preserving it. His energy was truly inspiring.
I have learned that there are things about a career in journalism that I really didn’t understand until this trip. Given the challenges that our field is facing, it has been informative and refreshing to see so many talented journalists, working, retired, and those who have moved on to executive positions, who still believe in the future of journalism.
Learning about the five graphs from Kristen Go was great. I plan to use those principles immediately in my writing.
I have written to my web editor to let him know that as a result of my Chips Quinn experience, I have some material to bring to the discussion of online media in our newsroom. I was afraid of applying for a spot on the recently announced online team, fearing it would be perceived as arrogance to assume I belonged on that team. Now I am confident that I have something to offer.
Ironically, it is not the lessons on journalism that I will take with me after we leave tomorrow.
Karen Catone, Kristen Smith (administrative assistant with the CQS program), Jack Marsh (vice president/diversity programs for the Freedom Forum) and the lovely and charming John Quinn have repeatedly mentioned how we are now a part of a family. That is a statement often said yet rarely displayed.
Today, as I watched the tears flow during the tribute to Dick Thien, I could not help but cry, too.
But my tears were not sad. I cried because moments like that, moments of human connection, are so hard to find.
I thought about my connection to someone I have never met. As I heard Mr. Quinn talk about his son Chips, I couldn't help but think how incredible it would have been to meet and talk with him. Yet his memory will live on through my career, as it has in the careers of 1,033 journalists in the last 16 years. I hope to make him proud.
-- Connie Llanos, reporter, Daily News, Los Angeles, and California State University-Northridge
A network of support
This morning I got a text message from Chips Quinn alum Erik Lacayo, now of The Fresno Bee, that said: “I read your CQ blog. Stop whining.”
I’ve known Erik since high school, when we both worked for our school’s paper, The Raider Review, so I read that text and laughed. I laughed because one, I know he wishes he were here and two, he’s working on a Saturday.
On a more serious note, the text reminded me of how important it is to stay in contact with people you know in the business.
As I look around me, at my fellow Chipsters, I’m excited by the idea that one day I can be working with one of them (or for them).
Sure, the journalism world can be cutthroat, but it’s nice to know that I’ve got at least 14 Chipsters, Mary Ann Hogan, John Quinn, Kristen Go and so many others associated with this unique program to lean on, look up to and learn from. You guys will forever be a part of my career.
P.S. For the record, I keep in touch with Erik because he’s Erik and not just because he’s a journalist – honest.
-- Mariecar Mendoza, reporter, The Desert Sun, Palm Springs, Calif., and California Polytechnic State University
I’ve known Erik since high school, when we both worked for our school’s paper, The Raider Review, so I read that text and laughed. I laughed because one, I know he wishes he were here and two, he’s working on a Saturday.
On a more serious note, the text reminded me of how important it is to stay in contact with people you know in the business.
As I look around me, at my fellow Chipsters, I’m excited by the idea that one day I can be working with one of them (or for them).
Sure, the journalism world can be cutthroat, but it’s nice to know that I’ve got at least 14 Chipsters, Mary Ann Hogan, John Quinn, Kristen Go and so many others associated with this unique program to lean on, look up to and learn from. You guys will forever be a part of my career.
P.S. For the record, I keep in touch with Erik because he’s Erik and not just because he’s a journalist – honest.
-- Mariecar Mendoza, reporter, The Desert Sun, Palm Springs, Calif., and California Polytechnic State University
A toast to learning
I received, yet again, another epiphany: I believe I was over thinking online reporting.
After hearing about the fast pace of the online world and the immediate demand for a story written quickly, I began to worry. Was I going to be
able to keep up? Could I truly handle writing two to three stories a day and briefs and online updates?
Sometimes I do my best work under pressure. But there are times when the weight makes me feel as though I’m sinking into the ground.
After the class with my career coach, Mary Ann Hogan, I realized online updates are not supposed to be complex or even stressful. The key word is simple. Be quick, concise and accurate, and that’s all. Don’t worry about inventing the perfect, most articulate lead—just give the facts. Think “Dragnet” and everything will be OK.
On a different subject, I loved the first five graphs session with Chipster alum Kristen Go. I’m all about bulleting and Kristen gave me exactly that. The first five paragraphs of a story should include the news, context, impact and human dimension. That’s all. Simple. Precise. Easy to remember.
I never had it broken down that plainly for me before. I knew that those aspects needed to be included in the story, but I never knew exactly how to arrange them. Scary thought, considering I just graduated.
It’s interesting—in a sad and disturbing way—that I’ve learned more in the last four days than I learned in some of my classes. I found that the classroom instruction at my college didn’t get to the nuts and bolts of story breakdown.
Writing is a learning experience. I figure if I don’t learn something new every day, I’m not truly living. Here’s to living.
-- Maria Miranda, reporter, Madera (Calif.) Tribune, and California State University-Fresno
After hearing about the fast pace of the online world and the immediate demand for a story written quickly, I began to worry. Was I going to be
able to keep up? Could I truly handle writing two to three stories a day and briefs and online updates?Sometimes I do my best work under pressure. But there are times when the weight makes me feel as though I’m sinking into the ground.
After the class with my career coach, Mary Ann Hogan, I realized online updates are not supposed to be complex or even stressful. The key word is simple. Be quick, concise and accurate, and that’s all. Don’t worry about inventing the perfect, most articulate lead—just give the facts. Think “Dragnet” and everything will be OK.
On a different subject, I loved the first five graphs session with Chipster alum Kristen Go. I’m all about bulleting and Kristen gave me exactly that. The first five paragraphs of a story should include the news, context, impact and human dimension. That’s all. Simple. Precise. Easy to remember.
I never had it broken down that plainly for me before. I knew that those aspects needed to be included in the story, but I never knew exactly how to arrange them. Scary thought, considering I just graduated.
It’s interesting—in a sad and disturbing way—that I’ve learned more in the last four days than I learned in some of my classes. I found that the classroom instruction at my college didn’t get to the nuts and bolts of story breakdown.
Writing is a learning experience. I figure if I don’t learn something new every day, I’m not truly living. Here’s to living.
-- Maria Miranda, reporter, Madera (Calif.) Tribune, and California State University-Fresno
Tips, stories and ... relief
It's rare to find photographers who are willing to break things down for you and share details about life and photography in equal amounts. So the opportunity to converse with a fun and informative fellow shooter this morning was a treat. I learned a few tricks of the trade, heard a few funny stories and felt a great deal of relief.
It's easy to get caught up in the seriousness of photography and the pressure to get a great shot that everyone will think is amazing. I'm sure it's a lot to have hanging over your head when you're a seasoned photojournalist, but as a young photographer, it's downright terrifying.
Concerns about what your editor and every other photographer viewing your work thinks of it can cloud your other purposes. Obsessing over exposure, content and speed takes so much out of you there's little time to enjoy the experience of doing this awesome job.
Underneath all the pressure, self-imposed and otherwise, is the distant memory of magazines and newspapers strewn about, allowing me to soak up the images featured on the pages. Sunday mornings used to find my father and me flipping through a National Geographic while I stared, wide-eyed and wondering if I could ever create something so beautiful. Photography was a passion of mine before I could say the word passion.
I’m now trying to get to where I can live my dream of making my passion my livelihood. I appreciate any smiling face or bent ear I meet along this journey. It's so much easier to forge onward when you know you have allies. After this morning, I feel a little less nervous, a little less alone and a lot more excited. Here's to allies.
--Tara-Lynne S. Pixley, Spring Scholar, The Greenville (S.C.) News
It's easy to get caught up in the seriousness of photography and the pressure to get a great shot that everyone will think is amazing. I'm sure it's a lot to have hanging over your head when you're a seasoned photojournalist, but as a young photographer, it's downright terrifying.
Concerns about what your editor and every other photographer viewing your work thinks of it can cloud your other purposes. Obsessing over exposure, content and speed takes so much out of you there's little time to enjoy the experience of doing this awesome job.
Underneath all the pressure, self-imposed and otherwise, is the distant memory of magazines and newspapers strewn about, allowing me to soak up the images featured on the pages. Sunday mornings used to find my father and me flipping through a National Geographic while I stared, wide-eyed and wondering if I could ever create something so beautiful. Photography was a passion of mine before I could say the word passion.
I’m now trying to get to where I can live my dream of making my passion my livelihood. I appreciate any smiling face or bent ear I meet along this journey. It's so much easier to forge onward when you know you have allies. After this morning, I feel a little less nervous, a little less alone and a lot more excited. Here's to allies.
--Tara-Lynne S. Pixley, Spring Scholar, The Greenville (S.C.) News
A case of reach exceeding grasp
The most valuable thing I learned at orientation is that attitude and the desire to learn are as important, if not more so, than any specific journalism skill or piece of knowledge.
Just a few months ago, I tinkered with the idea of applying to science graduate school. I love science research and have done it enough to feel confident that I could do well in that field. I majored in biopsychology, conducted research for years, presented at conferences, taught junior high science and wrote chapters for a science textbook.
Journalism, however, is a different story: I took only a few journalism classes while abroad. I don't know AP style (yet). And I have never written for a daily newspaper, not even a college paper.
It's a bit scary to leave something that I was happy, comfortable and successful with to pursue something so uncertain. But something tells me that there's a chance that I'll love newspaper journalism.
The thrill of writing for a newspaper, the opportunity to educate a general audience about science, and being a part of an exciting, rapidly changing environment (including the incorporation of new media), makes this path worth it for me.
I've realized here that it's OK that I have less journalism experience than my Chips Quinn Scholars cohort. It’s OK that I likely will have less experience than other interns at my paper. It's OK because I have goals that I'm passionate and excited about. I'm willing to learn and work as hard as I can to develop the skills to accomplish those goals – and that's what's important.
I'll leave here with less nervous energy and fears, more confidence and excitement and a new group of friends and. Thank you.
-- Cathy Tran, Spring Scholar, The Orange County (Calif.) Register
Just a few months ago, I tinkered with the idea of applying to science graduate school. I love science research and have done it enough to feel confident that I could do well in that field. I majored in biopsychology, conducted research for years, presented at conferences, taught junior high science and wrote chapters for a science textbook.
Journalism, however, is a different story: I took only a few journalism classes while abroad. I don't know AP style (yet). And I have never written for a daily newspaper, not even a college paper.
It's a bit scary to leave something that I was happy, comfortable and successful with to pursue something so uncertain. But something tells me that there's a chance that I'll love newspaper journalism.
The thrill of writing for a newspaper, the opportunity to educate a general audience about science, and being a part of an exciting, rapidly changing environment (including the incorporation of new media), makes this path worth it for me.
I've realized here that it's OK that I have less journalism experience than my Chips Quinn Scholars cohort. It’s OK that I likely will have less experience than other interns at my paper. It's OK because I have goals that I'm passionate and excited about. I'm willing to learn and work as hard as I can to develop the skills to accomplish those goals – and that's what's important.
I'll leave here with less nervous energy and fears, more confidence and excitement and a new group of friends and. Thank you.
-- Cathy Tran, Spring Scholar, The Orange County (Calif.) Register
The First Amendment -- and a trip to China
John Seigenthaler gave us a wonderful talk about the First Amendment yesterday. I was not only amazed by him but also by the amount of information he gave us.
It was hard to grasp all the information at the time. Now that I’ve had time to reflect on and think about this training and my coming trip to China, I understand that the First Amendment is the most powerful tool we as journalists have.
During the last two weeks, I’ve been doing as much research as I can before I travel to China in May. My reporting class requires us to complete a 10-minute story for radio about an issue in China.
The more I read about China, the more nervous I’ve become. China has one of the fastest growing economies in the world, but it is still a communist state. China does not have freedom of the press; because of that, more journalists are in jail there than in any other country. Having to deal with a language barrier and with censorship will be challenging.
I plan to find sources before I travel, seeking help in overcoming the barriers from journalists who have worked in China. (CQS Program Coordinator) Michelle Hedenskoog has promised to give me the contact information for some Chips Quinn alumni who have traveled to China. I also want to pursue and meet with experts here in the United States who might be able to put me in touch with people in China.
-- Maria Ines Zamudio, Summer 2007 Scholar, Springfield (M0.) News-Leader
It was hard to grasp all the information at the time. Now that I’ve had time to reflect on and think about this training and my coming trip to China, I understand that the First Amendment is the most powerful tool we as journalists have.
During the last two weeks, I’ve been doing as much research as I can before I travel to China in May. My reporting class requires us to complete a 10-minute story for radio about an issue in China.
The more I read about China, the more nervous I’ve become. China has one of the fastest growing economies in the world, but it is still a communist state. China does not have freedom of the press; because of that, more journalists are in jail there than in any other country. Having to deal with a language barrier and with censorship will be challenging.
I plan to find sources before I travel, seeking help in overcoming the barriers from journalists who have worked in China. (CQS Program Coordinator) Michelle Hedenskoog has promised to give me the contact information for some Chips Quinn alumni who have traveled to China. I also want to pursue and meet with experts here in the United States who might be able to put me in touch with people in China.
-- Maria Ines Zamudio, Summer 2007 Scholar, Springfield (M0.) News-Leader
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