Scholarly advice

Summer intern asks alums for thoughts for beginning journalists

Posted: May 13, 2003

Milagros Lujan-Delgado

In Summer 2002 as she was considering her future in journalism, Scholar Milagros ("Mel") Lujan-Delgado sent an e-mail query to Chips Quinn alums from 1991-98, asking about topics from job hunting to convergence to career building. "I decided to send a questionnaire because I have tons of questions about what to expect," said Lujan-Delgado, a Scholar at The Wenatchee (Wash.) World and graduate of California State University-Fresno. She was overwhelmed by the responses -- advice that is too good not to share. We’ll share more of the alums’ responses in a future story.

Lujan-Delgado’s question: What advice do you have for an up-and-coming journalist of color?

Tracy Cutchlow, news producer at www.seattletimes.com, and 1996 Scholar at The Oregonian, Portland:

Tracy Cutchlow

"Do another internship, at a bigger paper if possible. Don't expect much feedback; that's just the way of the newsroom. Think about why you're a journalist and make career decisions that are true to yourself.

"Go to conferences and writing workshops to keep up on your skills and catch some inspiration, even if you have to pay.

"A good story is rooted in a good idea. Have good ideas. This also allows you to do the stories you want to do."

Stephanie A. Miller

Stephanie A. Miller, 1998 Scholar at The Tennessean, Nashville:

"Hang in there. Stand strong for what you believe.

"Find and establish a buddy system for pre-editing stories and for covering beats that interest you.

"Realize that you do have a place in this business, but you must be willing to be patient and work at it.

Nia Meeks, free-lance reporter and 1993 Scholar at the Detroit Free Press:

"First, don't view yourself as a minority. I hate that term. … I went to a historically black college, yet folks referred to themselves as minorities. Not on that campus we weren't. It's a mindset.

"At the same time, know that the toll is heavier on us as young people of color than on our white compatriots. Often you will be tapped by your colleagues to be an expert on all things having to do with your culture, as if we're a monolith. You'll be viewed at times as being naturally inferior. You might catch flak from folks in the street who are upset with your paper historically ignoring them. You may deal with people who slam doors in your face or spit on you just because of the color of your skin, your accent, or anything else that indicates ‘difference.’

"And if this happens you have to turn the other cheek because you represent something larger than yourself or even your paper. You have to be willing and able to say when -- and not feel like you must be a martyr if you want to do something else. Likewise, you must realize that you sometimes will be the only gatekeeper who will champion those stories you wish you could have read when you were a kid. Journalists of color, and to some degree female journalists, are objective advocates in the purest sense of that oxymoronic phrase."

ArLuther Lee, copy editor/ page designer, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, and 1996 reporting Scholar at the Ventura County (Calif.) Star:

"Follow your passion. Forget journalism and everything else for a minute ... You're the only one who knows what you love to do. Don't let others tell you what's best for you. Take advice, but choose on your own. Wherever your passion lies is where your career should be. As for choosing between TV and newspaper writing: Good writing is good writing no matter what medium it appears in. So if you're a good writer, you can branch
off into any field you see fit. Just be sure to study the style of other writers in those fields, and then formulate your own style accordingly.

"Newspaper journalism, I believe, is moving toward more storytelling … although the inverted-pyramid style still is the basis of good, precise, short, simple, quick, newsy writing. You should strive to find a balance between fundamental journalistic writing and the true beauty of the English language, and once you achieve that, it's really something special. Also, try your hand at writing headlines. This will definitely build your writing skills because headlines force a writer to be short and precise."

Frank Gonzales, copy editor, FLORIDAY TODAY in Melbourne, and 1995 Scholar at The Plain Dealer in Cleveland and 1996 Scholar at the Albuquerque (N.M.) Journal:

"Don't ever let anyone tell you ‘You can't.’"

Luis Hernandez, police reporter at the Tulare (Calif.) Advance-Register and 1997 Scholar at the Ventura (Calif.) County Star:

"You bring a different perspective to newsrooms, and that's very valuable. Suggest and volunteer to do stories that showcase all the things that make you who you are. Suggest writing about a Quinceañera, about Dia de los Muertos and rosca de Reyes (the sweet bread Mexicans eat on Jan. 6 to celebrate Christmas). These stories will better reflect the community."

Lawrence Sherrod, trade-journal editor at Thompson Publishing Group in Washington D.C., and 1992 Scholar at The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio:

"Figure out where your strengths lie and use them to your advantage. You're going to need an edge because the news industry, particularly the daily news industry, is competitive … You have to do something that makes you stand out above the others -- whether that means getting facts that no one else has or writing a story from a perspective that no one else thought of. I'd also advise up-and-coming journalists -- particularly young journalists of color -- to choose your friends wisely. I hate to say this, but not everyone who looks like you is interested in seeing you succeed."

Next: Scholars respond to Milagros Lujan-Delgado’s question: What lessons have you learned on the job?

Back to Top