This is probably the second post I’ve written in the past two and a half weeks on my blog so, to the few faithful readers, I feel like I owe an apology. The first week of my fifth and final school year at Central Michigan University is over with. And even with just two courses — Archaeology of the Americas and Typography — it was easily one of the busiest of my college career.
This would be a huge reason why. Not just the redesign of the Web site and transitioning an entire newsroom to really think Web first. But also having to be editor-in-chief of Central Michigan Life, my job also entails making sure the thrice-weekly print edition doesn’t suck. Making sure editors are happy and working with each other peacefully. Making sure there are no grammatical errors, typos, headline gaffes or even spacing inconsistency between vertical lines and type. The little things.
I spent a good six days off Twitter, off Google Reader and rarely checked Facebook, Publish2 or even my campus e-mail. That has to be some sort of record. But also something I may have to get used to as the year comes into full swing.
So if you are a student journalist planning on being an editor in chief of the campus newspaper someday, I have five tips from my first week alone. Perhaps these might change as the year goes on, as I learn new things. Keep in mind your campus newspaper might be different in its operation. But alas…
1) Be prepared to give it your all. I work Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays to put out news editions on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On those three work days, I put in at least 12 hours, if not 13 or even 14. On my off days, I still have to stay focused on what’s happening on campus, making sure we are covering everything. I answer the phones, talking to readers, sources and campus administrators. I plan sections out with editors ahead of time and talk with the advertising side to make sure we’re on the same page. On top of all this, with the Web site redesign, I oversee how the online presentation looks, make fixes, make upgrades and more. This is a workload that requires a lot of passion for journalism. I’m not saying it isn’t fun. Just be prepared.
2) Learn how to be a manager. The best journalist in the newsroom does not always make the best editor in chief. I’ve had it told to me numerous times from many people, including previous CM Life editors, that this is not a job to exercise your journalistic principles. You have to know how to deal with your editors and reporters. You have to work your magic when people are butting heads. When morale is down. When sources and readers verbally attack your journalists. You obviously have to be the spokesperson of your staff and the champion of journalism ethics and rights. But you really do have to know how to deal with people.
3) When somebody talks, you listen. A lot of newspapers, and this includes student newspapers, still have that “Ivory Tower” mentality: That we (somehow objectively) gather the facts, we report the stories, you read it and we all move on. The new wave of journalism involves engaging with readers and finding ways to work with them so you can do a better job as a journalist. For one, you can’t rely on a small team of editors to be the eyes and ears of campus. Two, your readers are more apt to trust you and read you when you are on their level. Three, you keep people caring and talking about important issues, such as concealed weapons on campus. So always answer your phone. Don’t turn anyone away. When someone tries to give advice, even if it’s a new reporter, take it for what it’s worth. You’re a journalist — listen.
4) Don’t worry about everything. This is an easy trap to fall into, as I’ve learned already. The more time you sink into worrying about things you shouldn’t, the more of a toll you’re taking on yourself. Put a lot of trust in your staff; let them run the show a little bit (more on this next). Take a breather if you need to. Don’t spend too much time staring at a computer screen, reading stories and checking e-mails. Mix it up in intervals. Talk with your staff, talk with your advisers and even speak with readers outside. Take it in stride; you’ll be much better off for it (and have a few less gray hairs).
5) Make sure everybody, including you, is learning every day. The difference between a student newspaper and a real newspaper is that a huge priority of a student newspaper is to make sure everybody is learning, growing and becoming better journalists. The campus newspaper is usually what jumpstarts a journalist’s career. So make the most of every day. Like I already said, talking with people and listening will help. Let editors and reporters make mistakes every now and then (as long as it doesn’t leak its way into your product). Work with everybody you can, cultivate ideas and push them. Encourage experimentation.
Furthermore, chances are, as editor in chief, you are on your way out of college. So look for the freshmen and sophomores that could lead your newspaper someday. Work with them on a personal level, edit their stories, show them new things and constantly encourage them to get better. You never want the next editor in chief to fall through the cracks. Our newspaper is going to deal with a lot of graduating editors so, for me, it is important to develop younger talent and get them ready for August 2010. I want to continue our proud tradition at CM Life.
So that is it. At least in a nutshell.
Coming in a few days (at least I hope): The anatomy of breaking news on the Web (as a student newspaper).
Posted by Brian Manzullo at August 28, 2009
Journalism