Can’t Beat the Real Thing Classes help, but real-world experience is best

For the next couple weeks, I’m working on writing the Happenings section for St. Louis Woman Magzine. It’s kind of ironic that this section is one of the most boring and tedious jobs I have done here so far and yet it is probably going to be one of the most highly read sections I write. Good practice for getting the facts straight, I guess.

By now, I’ve finished two sections for two issues. I love writing the profiles and learning about all the organizations and opportunities available in the community. I’ve learned so much not only about what’s out there but also about journalism. Mostly I’ve noticed that although my classes have definitely prepared me for the journalism field, they are still not the real-world experience.

I consistently realize two things. First, I’m seeing tactics or lessons that I have learned in my magazine editing or magazine reporting classes and realizing how my professors were teaching me the perfect strategies. For example, one of my professors taught me something as small as looking at the magazine’s writing style. I may have forgotten to do this, but it’s true. In fact, Rebecca pointed out that I need to use “says,” not “said.”

The second thing I’m realizing is that there are some things that class just can’t teach you. My college experience prepares me in many ways, but some things I have to learn from an actual real-world experience, such as this internship. For example, I didn’t realize the differences between writing for one of the feature sections and one of the sections that are more about businesses and advertisers until just last week.

I just went home this previous weekend and my parents pointed out that this is the time to start looking for my next step when I graduate in December. I started to wonder if I’d be ready. I mean I know I won’t be ready in the sense that I don’t want to graduate. I’m accidentally graduating early. Of course I’m not ready. But I’m also wondering if I’m prepared to enter the field. Will I ever write a section without being reminded to not make some of my stupid mistakes?

For now, I’m going to see if I can write the Happenings section without any major or stupid mistakes. Only minor mistakes if I can’t succeed without any at all.

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by Morgan Brown

Make a Note of It Even the most organized system can’t eliminate story-related stress

Another deadline down and another collection of sticky notes off my desk.

I’ve developed a system now. Each story has a sticky note dedicated to it. On the sticky note I write down the story’s temporary title, the sources I have to contact and each of the source’s contact information. I then stick them to my hutch so that they hang right in front of my face. As I contact the sources, I cross off their names, and as I complete the stories, I draw a huge check-mark across the sticky note.

This week I had one sticky note that I made me more nervous than I had been in a long time. It wasn’t because I was nervous about the story, like one last week, but because I couldn’t contact my most important source: the lady I was profiling.

After several days and several e-mails, we had decided on a phone interview Friday morning at either 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. What I didn’t know was what time was best for her and also what her phone number was. She had yet to give it to me.

It was just hours before my article was due and I still hadn’t heard from her. My roommate kept asking me if I was alright, as I constantly clicked refresh to check for an e-mail. I clicked it so much that I was able to delete the spam messages one by one as it entered my inbox. I checked the time on my phone so often that I had to plug it in so that it wouldn’t die from my abuse.

Finally, at 11 a.m., I received an incoming call from that fancy 314 area code. First thing I thought of was that it was a phone call asking where my story was; instead, it was her!

I have no idea how she had my number, but I sure was overjoyed to hear from her. After a chat on the phone and a little food while I calmed my nerves, I wrote the story. I checked off that last sticky note just in time.

Now my desk is clean of the old notes and ready for new ones.

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by Morgan Brown

Talent or Treasure –– With or Without Time Ways of giving back seemingly are endless

Deadline! Yes, it’s deadline week for me. I lucked out. Last week was crazy with homework, quizzes and even a test. This week, however, is just for the magazine. Homework happens to be pretty light!

As my next deadline approaches, I am learning so much on philanthropy. Granted, I knew most of it already, I just didn’t realize how much there is to know. Sure, part of being in my sorority is philanthropy. My sorority has several that it supports, especially when the spring comes and we are organizing our 5K run. And then every other sorority and fraternity supports a cause or more as well. What I didn’t really realize is how much more there is out there.

In the midst of a busy schedule, people can find so many different ways to volunteer. There is practically no limit.

It also made me think about what I do. I mean, I’m taking classes and I am working with this internship, which is great, but where does my contribution to the community lie? I’m not helping girl’s club or at church events anymore, so what am I doing?

Thank goodness I do live in a sorority. Sometimes it gets hectic. Girls screaming, constant chatter and let’s not forget the meetings, but in the end, not only do I have great friends, but through our philanthropy events, we have so many ways that we give back to the community that really suit our interests and current lifestyle.

I’m sure as I get older, my contribution will change, but amid the craziness of college, I might actually have my head on straight.

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by Morgan Brown