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OTHER CAREER STORIES - Internships: Learning by doing - Young grasshopper, Brian, seeks tips for the dog-eat-dog world of A & E journalism Job shadows: Learning by exploring Mbedha Kiboigo Ebbtide Reporter I arrived at The Seattle Times office for a recent appointment with columnist Jerry Large, and my first impression was that he was a man of ambition, dedication and eloquence. His soft-spoken demeanor throughout our meeting conveyed a genuine respect for this profession. I have often heard of journalists getting so caught up in meeting deadlines that they forget the struggles involved in trying to gain entry into a competitive position. However, Large was eager to set aside two days to participate in the interview, as well as provide a tour of the facility. Mbedha met with Jerry Large, a Seattle Times columnist. She learned much about the nuances of the profession. Photo by Christopher Nelson During my first meeting with Large, I was directed into a large conference room near the editorial section of the building. As the interview began, I learned that writing had always been a strong subject of his; his high school English teacher encouraged him to join the school newspaper. Writing allowed him to explore issues that he felt passionate about, such as racial and sexual inequalities in society. He acknowledged that his early involvement in working for a small newspaper was an invaluable experience. It assisted him later in his career, as he gained persistence in seeking employment, something necessary in such a competitive profession. Along these same lines, he asserted that journalists should not focus all their energy on applying to the largest organizations, because the smaller newspapers and television stations often provide more employment opportunities and more chances of advancing up the promotion ladder. While small-scale experience is beneficial, Large didn't overlook the importance of education. It was not until attending New Mexico State University that he had the opportunity to delve into a more in-depth exploration of communication, by examining the various areas of this degree, such as broadcasting and advertising. "After briefly working for my college radio station and enrolling in a television course I realized that print journalism would be the best medium for me. It provides me with the most freedom in choosing what to write, and writing has always been my strongest ambition," he said. In addition, he suggested that college students who are considering this profession should work with the school newspaper as well as participate in a broad spectrum of clubs. Due to the fact that journalism is such a general field, involvement in any club can help a person acquire knowledge in that particular subject, from the archery club to student government. Furthermore, he stresses the importance of reading a lot because it will improve the quality of oneÕs writing, being able to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of good writing. Despite his 20 years of experience with The Seattle Times, he still reads a lot and tries to focus his articles on exploring the social inequalities and injustices in society, and how they relate to current race relations and historical underpinnings. Some memorable stories he has had a chance to investigate include one about high racial tensions in his mother's Texas hometown, and the events surrounding the Civil Rights Movement. The first gave him a chance to compare the progression of racial stereotypes or beliefs held in the South as opposed to the North, and, how those distinctions can impact the macrocosm of social harmony. It was great to see a sensitive subject so openly discussed, because although we are generations from slavery, the effects are still embedded in the American culture. After gaining valuable insights into Large's work, I returned a few days later for a job shadow. We began by touring the facility. I was amazed by the size of the building. Just when I thought the tour was over, there were more sections on the different levels. We toured the Sports, Business, and A & E sections, and I had a chance to meet some photographers and editors, such as George Nicholls and Charles Bermant. They also had a chance to tell me about their experiences and advised me about universities that had good communications departments. Each reporter I met insisted that although the career could be time consuming and economically insufficient, the rewards of advancing knowledge and applying creativity to daily activities were worth the effort. Before I left, Large advised me on minor revisions in my first article published in The Ebbtide. This added to the experience, because the timing of the two events gave me a rare chance of having someone with such high credentials read my writing. I learned a lot about the importance of dedication and commitment to the issues that are covered in the newspaper, and everyone provided a friendly atmosphere for me to learn about this profession. This project allowed me to explore the strengths and weaknesses of journalism. I have gained a greater respect for the profession and those who pride themselves on connecting societal issues with the community. © 2003 Shoreline Community College™