Waiting anxiously The Intern Diaries

by Whitney Riggs

I experienced my first deadline sweat.
My parents, like most, always told me not to blame my problems on other people. But when it comes to sources not calling me back so I can write a story, it is hard not to point a finger.

I remember back in junior high school when I liked a boy. We slipped one another notes in class, and he’d tell me to expect a phone call later that night. I waited by the phone like a giggly girl for hours checking the caller ID every two seconds.

Well, years later, getting a hold of sources to interview for stories seems like quite a similar situation. Once again I’m waiting by the phone for someone to return my call. This could take minutes, hours or even days. Just like with the boys I used to like, it can be a major disappointment when I don’t get a call.

When I began interning, getting a hold of sources and writing articles happened in a timely fashion. But this past week, I could not get a source to return my phone calls for the life of me. At one point, I caught myself literally staring at the phone in my hand for a solid five minutes. If I don’t get a hold of sources who have the information I need to write my story, how can I meet my deadline on time?

But I guess that is just a part of working in the media world. Journalists depend solely on other people. Whether it is media relations people, editors of publications or sources needed for an interview, being a journalist is a job that takes patience and determination to finish the work.

Although sources can be maddening, I guess it’s better than waiting on a stupid boy to call me back. At least I know they can only frustrate me — not break my heart.