Reinforcing optimism

Tell Romenesko to shut up. One of the big ironies in print journalism is that print journalists are frequently referring to the Romenesko blog—a blog, part of the new media—to receive news of dying or downsizing print newspapers. And while Romenesko doesn't do much more than merely relay the facts, the blog can be sobering. A former professor of mine, who is also an assistant managing editor at The Seattle Times (a newspaper Romenesko recently reported to be downsizing), said he simply stopped reading Romenesko. It was too depressing.

Yesterday's lectures on the new-medium thrusts of journalism were reinforcing. Or, at least, the lectures tempered the gloom a young reporter gets when all the veteran journalists he has worked with tell him to get out of the business and go to law school while it's still an option.

Sounding off for mutlimedia

I knew I would have to learn multimedia if I wanted to continue in journalism, but I didn't realize until yesterday that I actually want to learn it. The projects that Val Hoeppner, manager for multimedia education with the Freedom Forum’s diversity programs, showed us made me want to make something even half as good. One piece from The Indianapolis Star made a point about the similarity between Hillary Clinton's and Barack Obama's speeches in Indiana by cutting back and forth between parts of their speeches. The candidates made similar statements and, in a few cases, even used the same words. The clip created momentum that would have been impossible to express through the written word. Until I saw that clip, I hadn’t thought about what sound could do that an article couldn't. Val told us to watch strong examples of multimedia before the training session in Nashville. I'm excited to watch good stuff and even more excited to try to make it.

Farewell shot

John C. Quinn with the Spring 2008 class.

Invigorated

After four days of waking up at 6 a.m. after little to no sleep, I had planned on sleeping through my flights back to Des Moines. But then I remembered Jack Marsh's advice and decided to talk to my neighbors instead... I talked to Maj. W. E. Wiezel of the Marine Corps for two hours and found out what newspapers he reads and trusts. It was one of the best plane conversations I've ever had...

Orientation was a bit overwhelming at first, but now I feel more optimistic, more energized, more confident. It was so great to meet other journalists who are so passionate about what they do, like seeing Devin taking photographs and remembering that it is also something I enjoy, or hearing Sharon talk about her love for copy editing and realizing that yes, that aspect is fun too.

I am excited to return to The Des Moines Register this week! I spent today creating a list of goals, long-term and short-term, in various categories. Here are some of my goals:


I plan to talk to one new person a day, outside of the newsroom, but unrelated to articles that I'm working on.

I plan on going out to lunch with a different co-worker from another part of the newsroom at least once a week.

I plan on building in some time for each news feature I'm working on to think about how multimedia can enhance the piece and pitching the idea to my editors.

It was almost 50 degrees in Des Moines my first day back and I couldn't have asked for a better welcome than that. Looking forward to April!

Going to make it big time now

After this orientation weekend, I now feel I have the tools to be a Super Bowl-caliber journalist, while before I was just a playoff contender. I am going back to Jackson, Tenn., with a new sense of myself as a reporter and member of the newsroom. The Chips Quinn program was the boost for us all -- a steroid injection for success in journalism.

I am going to put the shy sports reporter in the closet and become more open and engaging with sources as well as with my co-workers. I'll try to be a professional eavesdropper like Jack Marsh, vice president/diversity with the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute.

The best thing about leaving this weekend is knowing that I am not in this alone. As difficult as it may seem to move to a new city where I know no one and learn a new culture, I have people in my corner with the Chips Quinn program. I will be in contact with a huge network of successful journalists as I continue to network.

Confronting my concerns

The end of the journey has arrived, and the many things I have learned will help me as I shape my career as a journalist. I will never disappoint John Quinn, cofounder of the Chips Quinn program, and therefore I will never assume anything, not only at my internship but also in my life.

Thanks to Karen Catone, director of the Chips Quinn Scholars program, for giving me the opportunity to be part of this amazing experience and to all the people who made it possible for the Chipsters to be here.

I’m leaving this place knowing that the First Amendment, accuracy and ethics are the rules and rights that I should look for as a professional. I can’t wait to get to my internship to overcome all the fears I have about starting and relating with other journalists. I’m sure that I will do a great job.

Ready for battle

I can't wait to get to my newspaper to expand my skills in the copy-editing field. My internship paper is located close to home but far enough away to discourage me from driving there whenever I get frustrated. If I get frustrated with the job, then I will have to suck it up and work out whatever problems I have. If I work everything out and not run away from my problems, then I will get better at my job and will also be able to expand my skills.

I would have been going into my internship a little nervous and scared but Bill Elsen, an adviser to reznet.org, encouraged me to have fun and not be afraid. Although simple and few, those words were all I needed for encouragement and to be able to succeed.