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Advice for editors
What does it take to be a successful intern? Brenda Rotherham, news recruiting and training manager at the Star Tribune in Minneapolis, outlined seven steps to success for college students working in newsrooms:
Come prepared
It’s important to read the newspaper before you arrive. With the Web, it’s never been easier. “That way you’ll be more informed about the local news in your new city when you get there,” said Rotherham, who manages the Star Tribune's Summer-internship program and other newsroom activities involving college students.
Come with ideas
Editors will have assignments for you, but “Your fresh perspective is a huge asset to the paper that you’re going to work at this Summer, and those editors are going to want to hear what stories you would do, what ideas you have about how they’re doing things, what new thoughts you have about an approach.”
About how to tactfully offer editors ideas without offending them, Rotherham said: “Don’t assume that your ideas are too drastic. This industry is very much interested in young people and new ways to appeal to them. They did choose you as an intern for a reason, and I think they’re interested in your ideas.” Even though ideas might have to be amended before they get into the newspaper, put the ideas on the table, she said.
Offering an idea as the editor is busily preparing for or going to a meeting probably won’t be successful. Rotherham said it helps to find the right time to communicate with your editor. And bounce ideas off someone else before taking them to the boss, she suggested.
Come with questions
“Ask about things you don’t understand. It’s very important not to try to fake your way through a situation,” she said. Asking questions proves that you’re thinking, paying attention and assessing what’s going on around you.
Dress like a professional
No shorts, sandals, plunging necklines, bare midriffs, lip rings or eyebrow piercings, Rotherham said. “You will be representing a newspaper now, and it’s important for you to look like the professional you are or you want to be.” It’s not because she doesn’t like piercings but because many people view piercings as a statement, she said. The statement is “what gets in the way of communication and professionalism.”
Act like a professional
Come to work on time. Turn your work in on deadline. Be where you said you’d be when you said you’d be there. “Do the things that make sure editors can count on you,” she said. “It’s important to build trust with them on the little things.”
Give it your best shot
Jump into the work with enthusiasm and energy. If you considered the internship only as a way to have fun, editors will see through that quickly. “It’s important for you to apply yourself, do the work and look for opportunities to go beyond expectations, even to do more than is asked of you.”
Speak up
“I’m not urging you to be a smart aleck. … I’m just urging you to get your ideas on the table. Get your disagreements out on the table. For newsrooms to do their best work, it’s important to consider all kinds of possibilities.”
Use your interpersonal skills to disagree without being disagreeable, she said.
Spring 2006 Scholar David Lipscomb of the Press & Sun-Bulletin in Binghamton, N.Y., asked Rotherham how to be taken seriously by sources and superiors.
“Take yourself seriously,” she replied. “You have to approach the work with energy and preparation.” When in doubt, seek advice from a newsroom mentor, she suggested.
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