I was looking through articles on Poytner institute when I ran across one that was similar to what we’ve been reading about over the past few weeks. It was a list of the top 10 things a great boss needs to know. I agree with everything the author Jill Geisler said, but after working as a copy editor at the DEN for the past semester and as an editor for the yearbook I feel like college publications should have their own top 10 for editors and reporters.
- Give new writers a chance: Yes they’re fresh out of news 1 but if we don’t give them a chance who will?
- Don’t stare at said newbies when they walk in the door, it’s intimidating and scares them away
- Get out of the newsroom: luckily most of us walk from our dorm to the newsroom, because if we didn’t we’d never know what was going on outside this fluorescently lit prison
- Call people: whether it’s to set up an interview or contact a reporter, it’s faster and you get better information than compared to emailing
- Take it outside: if something is hilarious or enraging take it outside and leave it there, I can’t work if someone is screaming with laughter or anger
- Sex sells: battle of the sexperts/rubber lovers/masturbatathon – is there a theme here?
- Lola is always right
- Caffeine is a lifeline, time is a shark
- Experiment: try new things, don’t be afraid to question, look outside the box, because that will get you a job
- And when all else fails: call student government stupid
April 21, 2009 at 11:50 pm |
This is probably the first post for this class that has made me smile. It’s a very fun list but also makes some important points. I can’t say caffeine is a healthy lifeline but it can be extremely helpful. I like how you took Geisler’s list and turned into to something relevant for not only you but others who work for a student publication.
April 23, 2009 at 9:55 pm |
Love this list. I especially agree with No. 10. I think the newsroom needs this posted around it.
April 25, 2009 at 1:26 am |
Nice list. I’m not the type of person that really likes talking on the phone but I’ve realized that calling people and keeping in contact via phone is much easier. Email should not be used as the main source of contact.