Two among many

Today’s session was so full of great information and wonderful speakers it is impossible for me to choose just one. I’ll choose two. Sue Stock, retail reporter at The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C., was engaging and encouraging. She provided a good list of practical tips to make our first day in the newsroom seem less frightening. She encouraged us to ask questions and ask for clarification if the first answer does not satisfy us. She also gave us two important questions to ask people when trying to get new story ideas: What are you mad about? What are you concerned about?


Sue Stock (Summer 2000) in front of the Newseum's Front Pages gallery.

Rion Sanders, a staff photographer with the Great Falls Tribune in Montana, made a big impression on me, not just because he was a fellow photographer, but also because he provided insight on what to expect as a photo intern. He shared his work, both professional and personal projects, and answered questions about how he made a particular shot. I also enjoyed the chance to show our work and receive feedback from the group.

Setting goals key to becoming an exceptional journalist

Career Coach Colleen Fitzpatrick during the small group session. (Photo by Sam Kittner)

Knowing your goals and having the motivation to pursue them is essential to journalism. That is what I learned today from Aissatou Sidime, a business writer with the San Antonio Express-News, and Colleen Fitzpatrick, a CQS career coach, when we split into small groups. Aissatou knew that she wanted to be a business writer and she actively pursued it until she succeeded. It’s all well and good to have a good work ethic and a passion for journalism, but it is only with goals that one can be truly outstanding. I have yet to figure out my career goals, but thanks to Aissatou and Colleen, I'm thinking about them and where I want to go in journalism.

Sharing a dream

From left: Rick Jervis (Summer 1993), reporter, USA TODAY; Aissatou Sidime (Summer 1991), business writer, San Antonio (Texas) Express-News; Sue Stock (Summer 2000), retail reporter, The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C.; and Jack Marsh, vice president, diversity programs, Freedom Forum. (Photo by Nate Rohnke)

All of the speakers taught me something, but the person who stuck in my mind was Rick Jervis, USA TODAY’s Gulf Coast correspondent. Mr. Jervis has done many things I would like to experience in the news business. His first job reporting overseas was in Prague, Czech Republic, where he freelanced. He gave advice on becoming a foreign correspondent. In Prague, he couldn’t speak the language and picked it up along the way. His courage in reporting in a country where he didn’t know the language is an inspiration for my future endeavors.

Pressing on

I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation by Jamesetta Walker, assistant features editor of The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Va. Her advice was practical and relevant, and she delivered her message in an entertaining way. I appreciated her obvious enthusiasm about her job and the journalism industry in general. She helped to ease my mind about some of the issues I will probably run into during my time in Wilmington, Del.

I also loved the way she was so straightforward. It was refreshing to hear someone say that when you make a mistake or run into a problem, "you just press on." Her presentation encouraged me to simply do my best and recognize and learn from any mistake I might make. I will carry her words with me and "just press on."

Reaffirming the belief in oneself

After our Wolfgang Puck-catered lunch, a luxury all Chipsters have quickly gotten used to, John C. Quinn, co-founder of the Chips Quinn Scholars program, gave a short speech that filled the eyes of many of us with tears and relieved me of any personal insecurity regarding my pursuit of a career in journalism. His words of wisdom and encouragement were what really made this experience hit home for me. We are here to fulfill the dreams held not only by ourselves, but also by a group of people who are fed up with the way things have always been and who are ready for journalism to represent who we all are as a community, not just a selected few. It is John's dedication to us and to this cause, and his genuine belief that we all have what it takes to make it that reinforces and strengthens my belief in myself.

(Photo by Diego James Robles, Summer 2008)

Advice for photogs, too

I really liked hearing Sue Stock, retail reporter at The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C., talk today. I was worried that I would nod off this morning since I was up late last night, but she had a lot to say that kept me wide awake. She talked specifically about reporting, but much of the same advice holds for photo stuff, too. It’s all storytelling, after all.

Ask, don’t assume

I enjoyed listening to the political editor of USA TODAY, Catalina Camia, explain accuracy in journalism. I now understand that professionals like Catalina have made mistakes at some point. In the future, I can learn from my mistakes just as she has done. I was also inspired by her advice not to underestimate statistics, numbers or reports. I learned that it is always better to ask others for help if I do not understand any information.

Scholar Jeannette Ceja. (Photo by Sam Kittner)