Don't Mess with a Journo's Reporter Pad..

Recently I had an interesting experience which made me question "How am i perceived as a young journalist." While interviewing a source for a story i am currently writing, the interviewee/PR contact took it upon herself to snatch my reporters pad out of my hand as i was taking notes! Yes she literally reached over from where she was sitting, about 5ft from me, and took my pad out of my hand in mid stroke of my pen. Needless to say, i was very offended. And after this episode occurred i began to evaluate her actions and mannerisms toward me. I would notice how she was quick to dictate who i was and was not going to interview. She would interject into conversations while i was talking with other sources. She would make noise while i was recording. And worst she started telling me what i need, or shall i say: "what you will put in your article is this..." Now her actions could be just part of her character, however something tells me that my juvenile appearance played a major role. During one of many conversations with this woman, she asked how old i was, and i told her--i have no need to hide my age just to get respect as an established journalist. My time will come, and my qualifications will show through how i handle each story. She also kept making comments like, "I'm old enough to be your mother," or "Awww your little pad is too cute."
I must say i didn't let this behavior continue, After 2xs taking my pad, and several xs of telling me who i would and would not interview, i became very assertive and even had to tell her not to speak while i interview others.

My main concern, other than being utterly annoyed, was not this woman's words, but her perception on how well she thinks i can do my job, and more so, how that conflicts with me actually doing my job. I wonder, no i am more than positive that she would not have done all of those things if i were a veteran in the game. So why do people try to overpower and control unseasoned professionals? I think its a psychological thing, a sense of entitlement, a want for control. If its one thing i've learned thus far is how to be assertive in this industry. Assertive when trying to contact a source, assertive to pitch story ideas, assertive to get ahead, and assertive to establish yourself as one to be respected. "POWER TO MY JOURNOS" KEEP BEING ASSERTIVE!

Emotional Healing

It's an interesting thing how life works and how people handling things in different way. I call myself a writer, (but havent written much in about 2-3 months). When i was younger i would write all the time, mostly about my emotions-- family issues, friendship issues, relationship issues, personal issues, etc. Whenever i felt hurt or confused or out of touch with things going on in life i would write. In retrospect, when i go to read my old journals (all four of them), i can only read about the depressing times. I have no entries about the positive events that happened growing up. There is nothing in my journals about hanging with friends, going to parties, going on vacation, etc.--and i did have a lot of fun times, especially in High School. Neway, when i decided to major in journalism it was because i loved to write. I figured that if writing was my escape from life then why not make it a career. Yet, the only times words flow from my mind to paper with ease is if i am going through something in life. If everything is fine and i am happy i do not write. And i think this is the reason why i have not been successful in my ambitious plan to become a journalist. I have to live, eat, and breathe the industry. I can not only turn to writing when things are not going well for me. I have to write everyday because its apart of me. The most interesting thing about this reflection is that just recently i had my heart broken but when i sat down to write about my emotions nothing came out. It was like i had writer's block or an emotional blockage that wouldn't allow myself to write about how i was/am feeling. I wanted so badly to write a poem or blog entry expressing the hurt and confusion being felt. And when i couldn't, i began to think "Maybe i am not a writer." But about half way through this blog entry i am starting to think that i am in need of a "writer's makeover." Its time for me to take my emotional healing process (writing) and allow it to move others, allow it to tell the emotional journeys of others, and not just of myself. I think i am back on the grind! ; )

6 degrees of Separation...

Could this be true? Danielle has found a profound purpose to social-networking sites like Facebook! (Ok, so the third person reference is a bit much). Yet, since graduating a year ago, my feelings on the whole social networking thing has been capricious. Not to say i am/was against it, but having to see "social networking" listed as a required qualification for jobs became too much. However, the benefits of having Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter accounts have become quite apparent. I applied for an editorial assistant position at one of the most notable African-American women's lifestyle magazine. After sending my materials via email to HR, i decided to go on Facebook and message a couple of Editors at the publication. As i searched for each editor and reached out to them, i wondered how they would determine whether or not to reply and "be-friend" me or just delete my message as if it was spam. It then came to me-I have friends on Facebook that are editors and reporters for magazines, newspapers and news-sites. Taken into consideration the "six degrees of separation" concept, 9 times out of 10 we have common friends. Meaning, if the editors see my message, they can click on our common friends and see that i have good connections in Chicago...which ultimately may land me the J.O.B! So there you have it, i have found a reason to login in, "be-friend," "tweet," and electronically networking my little heart out!

Is blogging Meaningful????

Greetings all,

It's been a while since i've posted anything, and i do apologize. What usually follows the apology is something like "Ive just been so busy working, traveling, etc. that i haven't had the time." But for me the truth is for a while i did not feel i had anything to write about. See i first created this blog out of frustration and having too much time on my hands. Many of my journalists mentors advised me to start a blog and "Just Write." However, as i started to just write i also began to read other blogs on this server and started to think "Is blogging meaningful?" Essentially, blogging is like a personal journal, you can write whatever it is your thinking, feeling, and/or observing. Yet, sometimes i think who cares? I've always keep journals since the fifth grade, but those are personal thoughts, those are emotions, concerns and life experiences that i wrote down for self fulfillment and future reflection. Now that a small "things to remember" notebook has been transformed into an electronic trend, it feels as if journalling has become a distant disconnect of self. I try to add a journalistic flare to my post, in hopes that this will separate "Post-Grad Review" from million of other blogs. But sometimes its just good to write, write about whatever your feeling and thinking, regardless of if its New York Times worthy. So is blogging meaningful? I guess it is to the person writing. And i guess in actuality that's all that matters huh?...I feel much better : )

The FLip Side:: what Publishers Want You to Know

I came across this article on a site called Ed2010.com, Ed is a mysterious editor in New York who gives heads-up on jobs in the magazine industry. He also gives us aspiring editors advice on this tight roped industry. In his latest blog post, Ed got Jayne Jamison, Vice President and Publisher of Seventeen, to speak up about what publications are looking for in good canidates. So to all my fellow magers read CAREFULLY.


What should junior editors know about the publishing side of magazines?
It’s important to know how other people perceive your magazine. Hard to believe, but not everyone shares your view! I also think it’s great for editors to understand what the advertisers think of the magazine and what challenges the ad/sales people face (just ask ‘em!). Editors should also know who the competitors are and keep the ad/sales side abreast of trends.

What is your best piece of advice for recent graduates?
It’s an extremely tight job market, so maybe your first job won’t be your dream job, but take it anyway. It’s always easier to get a job once you’ve had one. Working at a smaller publication will give you greater experiences and challenges anyway! You’ll be exposed to more on a day-to-day basis [than you would at a bigger magazine].

What do you think junior editors should do more of?
Show an interest in the business side. Editors who ask ad/sales people questions, like what do the advertisers think of the magazine, why do we (or don’t we) have a particular advertiser in the magazine, and how is the magazine is sold, are the most well-rounded. Seek out a salesperson at your magazine and start asking questions!

How is a publisher different from an EIC?
The editor-in-chief’s responsibility is bringing in readers and keeping them satisfied with innovative content; my role is to bring in advertisers by proving the importance of our market in building brand loyalty and selling the advertiser’s products. Both jobs are very demanding, and include managing, motivating, and training a large staff. It’s important for me to maintain editorial integrity and balance the separation between church and state, and it’s important for our editor-in-chief to speak passionately about our audience to advertisers.

What do you wish you had when you were first starting out?
I wish I had the confidence that I have now. I always thought everyone else was smarter than me, which lead me to work twice as hard. So my insecurity paid off! Also, don’t confuse style with substance.

Last bit of wisdom?
If you’re organized and efficient, you can have it all: a great career and a great family.

TechnoOveRLoAD...

So random thought....

After a year of shoulder shrugs and protesting on behalf of insignificant purpose, I finally joined Twitter--Username: Nicki_elle86, profile pic, followers...the whole nine yards! But as i registered my email address to yet another social networking site, it annoyed me that my final decision to join came down to the fact that numerous job applications require someone who is familuar and active with social networking sites. I have no problem with joining these sites, however to have them listed as part of the qualifications for a job is a tad bit ridiculous in my opinion. Mainstream media takes something that comes natural to our generation and creates a kind of frenzy so that you feel obligated to be involved. They strip away all likeness, freedom and fun from these leisure activities, and turn them into qualifications and requirements for jobs. When i interned at ABC7 about two years ago, I was asked to research several known, as well as unknown, social networking sites and compile a list of what each are good for. Interesting enough, one of the "unknown" sites was Twitter.com. At the time I thought to myself, "this is pointless," yet as i went on to graduate from college and apply for jobs, that list became my main source of reference to social-networking.  But what about my REAL qualifications? What about my four years of college experience, in which I have a $40,000 piece of paper as prove? What about my communication skills and ability to learn quickly? All of these are good, but in the world of "New Journalism," they look for more. Publications are looking for people who know how to navigate technology--blog, web design, and now social networking. I mean as if facebook wasn't enough?

All i am trying to say is why does it matter if I have Facebook or Twitter or Linkedin accounts? Shouldn't my passion of the
industry be enough?...

A Thought to all my postgrad readers:

As I read various political blogs and articles sent through my youngblackjournalists group server, I have noticed a trend in stories. Roughly, each week there is a story and/or illustration of some sort about some racist act. I can't even go in chronological order because they come in lighting speed, but to reference a few: the Greenwich village "Negro Cookie," the display in Borders bookstores of President Obama's picture next to a picture of a monkey, (not to mention the various racially implied images of our President throughout his campaign trail), and most recently, the picture of the White house with rows of watermelon on the lawn that was sent in email by the mayor of a small town in CA to all his committee chairmen. What tends to strike a chord with me most is each individuals response once the action has hit news waves and blogs: "I was unaware." Then of course a highly publicized apology follows in the days to come. But "I was unaware" seems to be the escape goat for everyone. "I was unaware that making monkey cookies and calling them "Negro Cookies" was offensive," "I was unaware that sending a picture of watermelons on the White House's lawn, (a  lawn that slaves plowed and labored over), was offensive," and "I was unaware that placing a picture of our President next to a picture of a monkey would stir some controversy among blacks." COME ON! This is 2009. Claiming to be oblivious to black stereotypes is not an okay defense in my opinion, excuse my french, but damn that!. I am sure there are few Blacks who "truly" believe racism has come to a lulling halt.  A Black president being in office does not garner ANY truth to that statement. And "I was unaware" should not be acceptable. In this millennium racism still exists in full form, it's just acted out differently. It's a much more cowardly act--witty emails and subliminal comments, backed up by "I was unaware." I'm not buying it...