COLUMN: Our careers begin NOW

What does it mean to be a journalist?

It’s a little different for everyone, but at the college level is where it truly begins.

High school may have introduced some of us to main elements of journalism: writing, reporting, editing and photography. But to succeed in this field requires much more than a simple understanding of the process. It requires perseverance, compassion, determination and objectivity.

Although it may seem impossible to pry oneself away from preconceived notions and outside influences, it is a necessity in journalism. One must be open and willing to hear every side of a story no matter one’s personal beliefs.

The newsroom recently had a visitor: Marcia Franklin. Franklin is a producer at Idaho Public Television and has worked in broadcast journalism for many years. She has received numerous awards for her efforts, and rightly so.

When Franklin spoke to us, she exhibited a professional yet friendly demeanor. Her wisdom struck deep chords with the attending group. When she spoke, we listened.

At a convention the Sentinel recently attended, a presenter said, “good writers know there’s always room for improvement.” The same for journalism in general: no matter how good you think you are, you must remain focused and humble and strive to do your best.

That’s what we aim to do.

Yes, we are a student publication that is always learning, but we want to do (and be) the best that we can.

We welcome feedback from our readers so we may amend our errors and learn from our mistakes. We also want to know just what’s going on out there with YOU, our readers.

With the much-appreciated advice of a seasoned journalist burning in our ears, we will try to walk the path of honorable. We’ll write stories without bias and report the things you need to know.

Some of us may move on to serious journalism careers, so we should treat our time on the Sentinel as preparation for what comes next.

After all, every good lead must start somewhere.