Open to new ideas, stories

My orientation experience has been a rich one. The most valuable thing I have learned so far is to be open to change. In my personal and professional lives, I am known to stay focused on one thing. But journalists have to be observant at all times. While it is important to stick to the facts and the story, it also is important to keep an open eye and listening ear to other things that might come up.

This theme of having an open mind also came up in the session on developing story ideas. Developing ideas can be the hardest thing, not just for interns but all reporters. But the panel gave examples of finding additional stories while on assignment. The key was being observant and looking for unique things.

The thread of openness also carried over into the breakout session with our coaches, as Pearl Stewart explained that we are not always going to do the stories we want to do. We are in the newsroom to help a team. She advised us to remember: “It’s not about you.”

-- TaLeiza Calloway, Kent State University, St. Cloud (Minn.) Times