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| Photo by Emily Metallic |
| Freshman Ernie Pyle Scholar Ameerah Siddiqi checks out Chicago Magazine. |
Students stopped by the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Magazine, Golin Harris advertising agency, Fleischman-Hillard public relations firm and WBBM Newsradio to sit in on meetings, take tours and hear advice from leaders at those companies, including several IU journalism alumni.
Here are their reports:
Visiting the Chicago Tribune
By Lauren Sedam
A group of Journalism Ambassadors and freshman Ernie Pyle Scholars saw a real-life example of the changing world of journalism when they visited the Chicago Tribune.
Alumnus George Papajohn, BA’82, led a tour of the newsroom. He is associate managing editor for investigations and discussed one of the paper’s main focuses—being a watchdog in every area.
Papajohn has led his team in some of the paper’s most memorable stories. He said they are always looking for opportunities to investigate, especially with issues that are important to the Chicago audience. The real key, he said, is a strong foundation.
“Tell me you’ve got a good story,” Papajohn said. “Every editor wants a good story.”
After the tour, which included visits with online and breaking news editors, the group was invited to the page one meeting in which editors plan for the next day’s paper.
After the meeting, Tribune editor Gerould Kern, BA’71, sat down with the group to discuss the changing world of journalism. He said while many print products have shrunk recently, the Tribune has worked hard to expand.
He said it focuses on increasing the news hole and creating a quality product readers would want to pay for—just as they will pay more for bottled water and brand name coffee, two products that were once almost free. He said the goal is to make people think differently.
“That’s what they look for us to do for them,” he said. “In some ways, it the almost perfect intersection of the journalist and business.”
Freshman Jill Sorg was impressed with the ideas.
“I was in a slump as far as reporting goes,” she said. “I was renewed.”
Both Kern and Papajohn focused on the community.
“We are not the newspaper. We are not the website,” Kern said. “We are a relationship with this community.”
After the meeting, Tribune editor Gerould Kern, BA’71, sat down with the group to discuss the changing world of journalism. He said while many print products have shrunk recently, the Tribune has worked hard to expand.
He said it focuses on increasing the news hole and creating a quality product readers would want to pay for—just as they will pay more for bottled water and brand name coffee, two products that were once almost free. He said the goal is to make people think differently.
“That’s what they look for us to do for them,” he said. “In some ways, it the almost perfect intersection of the journalist and business.”
Freshman Jill Sorg was impressed with the ideas.
“I was in a slump as far as reporting goes,” she said. “I was renewed.”
Both Kern and Papajohn focused on the community.
“We are not the newspaper. We are not the website,” Kern said. “We are a relationship with this community.”
Visiting the Sun-Times
By Jake Wright
It was a message of inspiration for a group of Journalism Ambassadors and freshmen Ernie Pyle Scholars who visited the Chicago Sun-Times newsroom.
“Journalism is great because you get paid to be curious,” said Andrew Herrmann, managing editor of the Sun-Times.
Herrmann said journalism has been a great career for him because he gets to exercise his creativity all the time. But he stressed the importance of getting started while still in school.
Working for student media is usually the best option, he said, but students should get experience however they can. Jack Barry, associate managing editor of interactive media, said although it’s important to do well in school, he has never looked at a GPA when hiring.
“I look at what you have done,” Barry said.
Herrmann said young journalists don’t read and watch enough news, and the more they take in, the better their work will be.
Students asked about ways to market themselves when it’s time for the job hunt. Barry said applicants should focus on what they can do for the prospective employer. A resume isn’t just a list of what you have done, but it is a way to show employers what you can do, he said.
For example, he suggested adding tasks to each entry about a job, something that shows you can work on deadline or cover a court hearing – anything that may bring attention to your skills.
IU alumna Laura Emerick, BA’79, who is editor for film critic Roger Ebert, gave students a tour of the newsroom. The group also sat in on the editors’ morning news meeting.
Freshman Ernie Pyle Scholar Tori Fater said she appreciated the detail in the staff’s answers to questions and the amount of time they dedicated to speaking with students.
“It’s good to hear from voices of experience,” Fater said.
Herrmann said young journalists don’t read and watch enough news, and the more they take in, the better their work will be.
Students asked about ways to market themselves when it’s time for the job hunt. Barry said applicants should focus on what they can do for the prospective employer. A resume isn’t just a list of what you have done, but it is a way to show employers what you can do, he said.
For example, he suggested adding tasks to each entry about a job, something that shows you can work on deadline or cover a court hearing – anything that may bring attention to your skills.
IU alumna Laura Emerick, BA’79, who is editor for film critic Roger Ebert, gave students a tour of the newsroom. The group also sat in on the editors’ morning news meeting.
Freshman Ernie Pyle Scholar Tori Fater said she appreciated the detail in the staff’s answers to questions and the amount of time they dedicated to speaking with students.
“It’s good to hear from voices of experience,” Fater said.
Visiting Fleishman-Hillard
By Autumn Scaglione
Students who entered the conference room at Fleishman-Hillard, a Chicago-based public relations firm, students saw a table full of Gatorade products, a Lego Sears Tower, AT&T coffee mugs, a bag of Solo cups, pens and Post-it notes.
These are just some of Fleishman-Hillard’s clients. Founded in 1946 in St. Louis, Mo., Fleishman-Hillard has grown to 80 offices globally and expanded to 29 practice groups to focus on specific demographics or market segments.
Brian Rehme, assistant account executive in public affairs, put the group to work by asking students to undertake a silent brainstorm session for a case study example.
The case revolved around the SkyDeck on Willis Tower (formerly the named the Sears Tower) and how to gather attention to the new attraction without giving away what the attraction specifically was. Students each wrote three suggestions on separate Post-it notes and read them to the group as Rehme stuck them to the conference room wall in an organized manner.
Paul Newmann, account executive, said interacting as opposed to simply telling is becoming a trend in public relations.
“Public relations is about developing content,” Newmann said. “It is becoming more hands-on and less bullet points.”
Aly Dolan, senior account executive, shares tips on how students can set themselves apart from the crowd when they apply for a job or internship.
Paul Newmann, account executive, said interacting as opposed to simply telling is becoming a trend in public relations.
“Public relations is about developing content,” Newmann said. “It is becoming more hands-on and less bullet points.”
Aly Dolan, senior account executive, shares tips on how students can set themselves apart from the crowd when they apply for a job or internship.
- Know your competition.
- Highlight transferable skills, including experience and volunteer work.
- Demonstrate hands-on experience.
- Proofread. Proofread. Proofread. Have your mother, father, brother, sister, friends look over your resume and cover letter.
- Be prepared to present yourself in person. Research the company. Know its client list, mission statement and values. You are interviewing the company as much as it is interviewing you.
A visit to WBBM
By Kathryn Moody
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| Photo by Emily Metallic |
| Bob Roberts, BA'74, of WBBM Newsradio explains the necessity of having multimedia skills. |
It’s no different for any other journalist these days, according to Bob Roberts, BA'74, of WBBM Newsradio in Chicago. Today, a good journalist must be willing to work with a variety of media, he told the group.
An afternoon/evening general assignment reporter, Roberts has worked for CBS in some form since 1984. When he began his career, a journalist studied in multimedia “was the exception, not the rule.”
“There is lots of synergy in journalism,” Roberts said. Because of how the fields of journalism—broadcast, print, and online— are rapidly blending together due to new technology, one really has to be a “journalism generalist” in order to get and hold a job, Roberts explained.
The job also requires dedication and tenacity. Roberts was unable to attend the Feb. 2 IU alumni reception in Chicago due to a story that broke that night and kept him out until after 11 p.m.
“You have to be ready to cover just about anything,” Roberts said.
Julie Mann, managing editor of WBBM Newsradio, shared this sentiment.
“News is about good judgment and a passion,” Mann said. “It’s not an easy job.”
For students with that passion, Roberts suggested getting involved in the student media as much as possible. Mann emphasized networking and keeping up with contacts.
“Never burn a bridge in this business,” Mann said.
Above all, students need to be willing to put themselves out there and work hard in order to obtain impressive clips. For those willing to put in the work, a job may be in the future, according to Roberts, and a rewarding one at that.
“It’s never boring around here,” he said.
“You have to be ready to cover just about anything,” Roberts said.
Julie Mann, managing editor of WBBM Newsradio, shared this sentiment.
“News is about good judgment and a passion,” Mann said. “It’s not an easy job.”
For students with that passion, Roberts suggested getting involved in the student media as much as possible. Mann emphasized networking and keeping up with contacts.
“Never burn a bridge in this business,” Mann said.
Above all, students need to be willing to put themselves out there and work hard in order to obtain impressive clips. For those willing to put in the work, a job may be in the future, according to Roberts, and a rewarding one at that.
“It’s never boring around here,” he said.
