Shannon McEnerney | Sept. 7, 2009
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| Photo by Shannon McEnerney |
| Campus editor Elvia Malagon explained how to get involved with the IDS to interested students, encouraging them not to get lost in the shuffle. Friday’s student media open house drew a crowd of potential participants. |
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The students arrived to the newsroom, some for the first time, for the IU Student Media Open House, an event designed to encourage new students to work for IU’s student-run publications, such as the Indiana Daily Student and Arbutus yearbook. The annual fall open house reaches out to freshmen students, but sophomores, juniors and seniors were welcome to Friday’s event as well.
Freshman Benjamin Priest said he decided to attend IU because of its “ridiculously good journalism program,” so getting involved in media is a natural step. He has his eye on a job with the IDS, where working for “a legitimate publication that people read for more than a joke” is what excites him the most.
IDS editorial adviser Ruth Witmer said the average attendance is around 100 students, most looking to hone their journalistic skills in writing, photography, design or copy-editing. This year, the staff quickly ran out of applications and had to copy more to satisfy the crowd.
What was different about this year’s group, Witmer said, was the number of students interested in participating in every aspect of the IDS. Many students were interested in writing, designing and learning photography. In the past, only some IDS employees were “renaissance” people, Witmer said, but now many students are looking to learn multiple skills to increase their marketability in the evolving field of journalism.
“There’s no shortage of students interested in journalism,” Witmer said. “The economy and present day newspaper situation has not affected those interested in pursuing a career in journalism. Students are curious about jobs because of changes, but they are still here to learn about journalism.”
They heard about the industry from student leaders who described the publications, such as the IDS and Inside and Weekend magazines. IDS editor-in-chief Natalie Avon joined design chiefs, photographers and copy chiefs in detailing the kinds of work involved, how to determine how many hours to work and the types of opportunities available.
IU Student Media Director Ron Johnson said the open house is important for new students beyond getting involved in journalism. It’s also an opportunity to be meet new people. He encouraged attendees who weren’t sure about the work to visit again if they are still interested in learning more about a specific desk or area of the IDS.
“Don’t be a stranger,” he said.
Besides the open house, the IDS recruits during summer freshmen orientation, encouraging those who visit to return to the open house in the fall. Witmer said the students who visit the booth during the summer are reminded of the open house through e-mail. Ads and other announcements were posted to draw in as many interested students as possible.
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| Photo by Shannon McEnerney |
| IDS business editor Lauren Clason fielded questions from two students asking about working at the IDS. The open house was designed to acquaint students with student media opportunities. |
“It’s a great way to get people into the newsroom and show them they are more than welcome here, and we’re very happy to have them,” she said.
When Avon was a freshman three years ago, she began working at the IDS as an opinion columnist and designer. She said she remembers feeling intimidated because it seemed like everyone knew each other and had inside jokes.
“Once I realized coming into the newsroom helped, I started coming in a lot more,” Avon said, explaining that frequent visits means students are comfortable in the atmosphere, and soon friendships develop.
Sophomore Lindsey Erdody, one of the IDS city and state editors, agreed with Avon, recalling her fear when she started her IDS involvement last year as a freshman. Erdody said new students shouldn’t be scared.
“Everyone here is friendly and even though we have our inside jokes, we are willing to include you in those jokes,” she said.
Sophomore Brooke Murphy came to the IDS open house because she eventually wants to become involved in magazines. She said the IDS is the best place to gain experience. She encouraged fellow students to take a risk and branch out.
“Don’t limit yourself to one area,” she said.
And organizers said students don’t have to be journalism majors or have advanced skills to find a place at student media.
Managing editor Brad Zehr knows this. The junior is a biochemistry major who decided he wanted to work for the IDS his freshman year, regardless of his major. Zehr said he is excited this semester because he knows the current staff has big ambitions and goals.
“As a college newspaper, the IDS is changing and constantly has new people,” Zehr said, explaining that because of this constant change in staff members and news content, the IDS is able to support new ideas and evolve.
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| Photo by Shannon McEnerney |
| Senior Julia Steigerwald was one of many who filled out an application Friday. Organizers had to make extra copies to satisfy the demand. |
Sophomore Helene DeLone, who runs cross-country and track at IU, attended the event because she said she wants to write for the IDS.
“I’d love to copy-edit or write, even play around with photo,” she said.
Campus editor and junior Elvia Malagon told students to be persistent.
“It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle,” she said. “I told the students to keep coming back, to become an IDS regular.”
Witmer said she will begin processing all the IDS applications that were received at the open house. In the coming weeks, more applications will arrive. Witmer said the rest of the semester will be spent making sure all the students who apply start working for student media as soon as possible.
More student media callouts:
- Sept. 9: WIUX radio, 9 p.m. in Jordan Hall 124
- Sept. 10: IUSTV, 7 p.m. in R-TV 245
- Sept. 15: Society of Professional Journalists, 7:30 p.m., Ernie Pyle Hall Lounge
Want to apply for student media jobs?
- Visit the IDS in Ernie Pyle Hall 120
- E-mail adviser Ruth Witmer
Questions? Comments? Email the Web editor.
