Only 2 weeks left here at the NJ!
All the stories I've been talking about for the past week or so are finished (wallpaper story finally ran today...gel manicures ran a few days ago...) and I FINALLY found someone for the fedora story to talk to, and today I'm finishing up my volunteerism story. Next, Betsy wants me to pitch something to her.
I'm thinking of asking to write a story about authors in Delaware who self-publish. I've always been curious about how people do that. I think it would be interesting to talk to people and follow their journey from idea to publication. We'll see what she thinks.
I did a great interview for my volunteer story with a 95-year old named Molly who has been volunteering since the 50s. She was adorable, and her family is so excited to see her story in the paper. She must have felt a little famous; I went to see her while she was on the job at Christiana Care, and a photographer and a videographer came too--all eyes were on her!
One of the guys here is having a dinner for all the interns next week so we can talk about our experiences here. It seems weird that it's almost over. I have so many clips from interning here, and that's my tangible proof of all my hard work, but without them it feels like I just breezed in and out of this office for an hour. I'll have worked here for 2 months by the time I leave. Seems short, but I learned so much in a short amount of time.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Keeping it Going...
Had my interview with the great Paula Deen yesterday! I was so starstruck talking to her. She was GREAT-so friendly, funny, charming and fabulous. She has a laugh that's about two thousand times louder than normal, and she loves to curse, which I think is hilarious. She kept calling me "darlin'" and saying "ya'll," and her whole personality just made me want to go out on the town with her. She is so excited to come to Delaware, and I really got the impression that she loves what she does. Why wouldn't she--she gets to play around with buttery deliciousness all day. The story is going to run tomorrow or Thursday.
My Forgotten Cats story ran today, and I've already gotten 2 calls from people who want to use their services because they read my story. It's nice to feel like what I've written influences people, even in some small way.
A bunch of other stories I've finished are going to run at different points this and next week, so I'm getting plenty of clips.
Right now I'm working on the longtime volunteers story. It's hard to find people that have been volunteering for 20 years or more, but two of the places that I've found sources are The Grand and a program called Foster Grandparents. I called one woman from Habitat for Humanity who has been volunteering for six years, but Betsy told me that's not long enough for this story. I called back and apologized for not being able to use her interview--sometimes it's tough spending time talking to a source and then not being able to use them. She was very understanding, though. I've left messages with tons of people, and I've been making phone calls all morning--no one seems to want to answer their phones today. Also, three of the organizations I've called have directors named Kevin. Weird!
I'm sure the volunteer story will take me all week to work on, and after that I might be working on one about moms who use online forums to ask questions about motherhood--still have to talk to Betsy about that one.
It's business as usual here at TNJ.
My Forgotten Cats story ran today, and I've already gotten 2 calls from people who want to use their services because they read my story. It's nice to feel like what I've written influences people, even in some small way.
A bunch of other stories I've finished are going to run at different points this and next week, so I'm getting plenty of clips.
Right now I'm working on the longtime volunteers story. It's hard to find people that have been volunteering for 20 years or more, but two of the places that I've found sources are The Grand and a program called Foster Grandparents. I called one woman from Habitat for Humanity who has been volunteering for six years, but Betsy told me that's not long enough for this story. I called back and apologized for not being able to use her interview--sometimes it's tough spending time talking to a source and then not being able to use them. She was very understanding, though. I've left messages with tons of people, and I've been making phone calls all morning--no one seems to want to answer their phones today. Also, three of the organizations I've called have directors named Kevin. Weird!
I'm sure the volunteer story will take me all week to work on, and after that I might be working on one about moms who use online forums to ask questions about motherhood--still have to talk to Betsy about that one.
It's business as usual here at TNJ.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Craziness
It's nearing the end of my first week of working at both Summmer College at UD as well as TNJ. Craziness! It's pretty hard to do both. I work from 9-2 at TNJ and then I have to be back at UD and ready for SC activities by 3. I don't really get much free time on the weekdays. It's just another learning experience about how to balance everything. It's kind of good the way it worked out, because in the morning (when I'm tired) I'm at the paper, sitting inside and not exactly doing physically strenuous stuff; in the afternoon, I go to SC and do outside activities and games all day. At least I don't have to be energized and ready to go in the morning, because I never am!
I took a 5 Hour Energy this morning, and don't feel like I'm slowly slipping into a coma at my desk like I have been feeling the past couple days. So that's a bonus.
Anyway, I finished a story about the group Forgotten Cats, Inc. this week. I talked to the president/founder, a volunteer, and a man who has used the organization's services. It's funny, even if I don't need to, I always try to use 3 sources in a story like I'm used to from journalism classes at school. Once, a story really only needed the two great sources I found, and I was still struggling to find a third, and Betsy told me I didn't need it. It was weird.
So with that story pretty much done, I am trying to work on this story about the popularity of fedora hats. I got a great interview with a professor of apparel studies or accessory studies (can't remember now) at FIT in NYC, but I really need to talk to people that actually buy/wear these. It's tough. We even put a little ad on the site saying "if you wear fedoras, call Kala!" But only one person got back and it wouldn't really have worked. Since I've been in Newark, I've been looking around trying to notice what people are wearing, but I'm not really finding anything. Ugh. Frustrating. I might need to just go to a store that sells them and see if anyone's buying them.
Next week is my interview with Paula Deen! I had to send her PR person some questions I could possibly ask (and I wasn't sure--is that a good idea? Do journalists always have to do that? I didn't want to be a jerk and say no, but it felt sort of like giving them my story before it was even written...) and the PR girl told me there are too many, because the interview is only supposed to be 15 minutes, and apparently, "with the way Paula talks, you won't get through them all." So we'll see. I feel like I could talk to her for hours, I just think she's so funny.
The next story I really want to work on is one about lifelong volunteers, i.e., people who have been volunteering for an organization for years and years. I love stories like this about people's personal experiences. I sort of felt like some of the stories I've been getting (manicures, hats, wallpaper) were fun and interesting, yes, but also lacking a bit in substance. I think a story about actual people who have dedicated their lives to working for others would be great. I'm also just really into volunteering myself, so I'm a little biased.
I want to start pitching stories as soon as I get all these ones I have lined up over with. I obviously want to finish the ones Betsy's assigned to me, but after that I'd like to come up with some of my own. Now I just need to think of some!
I took a 5 Hour Energy this morning, and don't feel like I'm slowly slipping into a coma at my desk like I have been feeling the past couple days. So that's a bonus.
Anyway, I finished a story about the group Forgotten Cats, Inc. this week. I talked to the president/founder, a volunteer, and a man who has used the organization's services. It's funny, even if I don't need to, I always try to use 3 sources in a story like I'm used to from journalism classes at school. Once, a story really only needed the two great sources I found, and I was still struggling to find a third, and Betsy told me I didn't need it. It was weird.
So with that story pretty much done, I am trying to work on this story about the popularity of fedora hats. I got a great interview with a professor of apparel studies or accessory studies (can't remember now) at FIT in NYC, but I really need to talk to people that actually buy/wear these. It's tough. We even put a little ad on the site saying "if you wear fedoras, call Kala!" But only one person got back and it wouldn't really have worked. Since I've been in Newark, I've been looking around trying to notice what people are wearing, but I'm not really finding anything. Ugh. Frustrating. I might need to just go to a store that sells them and see if anyone's buying them.
Next week is my interview with Paula Deen! I had to send her PR person some questions I could possibly ask (and I wasn't sure--is that a good idea? Do journalists always have to do that? I didn't want to be a jerk and say no, but it felt sort of like giving them my story before it was even written...) and the PR girl told me there are too many, because the interview is only supposed to be 15 minutes, and apparently, "with the way Paula talks, you won't get through them all." So we'll see. I feel like I could talk to her for hours, I just think she's so funny.
The next story I really want to work on is one about lifelong volunteers, i.e., people who have been volunteering for an organization for years and years. I love stories like this about people's personal experiences. I sort of felt like some of the stories I've been getting (manicures, hats, wallpaper) were fun and interesting, yes, but also lacking a bit in substance. I think a story about actual people who have dedicated their lives to working for others would be great. I'm also just really into volunteering myself, so I'm a little biased.
I want to start pitching stories as soon as I get all these ones I have lined up over with. I obviously want to finish the ones Betsy's assigned to me, but after that I'd like to come up with some of my own. Now I just need to think of some!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Week Off
I'm almost through my week off from the NJ for my other job training. It's weird not going in for even a couple days; I've become so used to it.
Last week I had 4 story assignments from Betsy that she wanted me to finish. I can't even put into words how hard I was working and how much I was bothering people for interviews, but I only got 2 completely finished-- the other two I had JUST BARELY finished save for one or two interviews I needed. So frustrating when stories rely on just a few key people or things you need before deadline.
Betsy asked me what I learned that week, and told me she loaded me up with stories as a bit of a test, which I was thankful for. I really learned so much about how to work under pressure. At school, I would only work on one story in a week, with plenty of time to figure things out, and people were getting back to me. Last week, it was almost 4th of July weekend so no one was around, plus I had 4 stories and countless sources in the mix. I had to become comfortable with moving from one story to the next in the span of 10 minutes. I usually like to start and finish one thing in a few hours, but that's not possible at a paper most of the time. I adapted and developed an insane note-taking speed and organization strategies.
Betsy told me that she thinks I did a good job with everything I was given, and told me she has faith in my potential. I was really happy to receive her compliments. It was a crazy week and I wasn't actually able to go see people and talk in person, which was a challenge, but I was really glad I got the experience, even if the stories weren't "hard hitting" news (nail polish and wallpaper= so girly.)
In my week off I think at least one of my two stories will run, but when I get back I'm going to finish the other 2 I haven't already, and start some more new ones. I'm really loving this experience. I work well under pressure.
Here's the link to my NJ page with all my stories so far. It's updated every time a new one is posted:
http://search.delawareonline.com/sp?aff=1100&skin=&keywords=mikala%20jamison
Last week I had 4 story assignments from Betsy that she wanted me to finish. I can't even put into words how hard I was working and how much I was bothering people for interviews, but I only got 2 completely finished-- the other two I had JUST BARELY finished save for one or two interviews I needed. So frustrating when stories rely on just a few key people or things you need before deadline.
Betsy asked me what I learned that week, and told me she loaded me up with stories as a bit of a test, which I was thankful for. I really learned so much about how to work under pressure. At school, I would only work on one story in a week, with plenty of time to figure things out, and people were getting back to me. Last week, it was almost 4th of July weekend so no one was around, plus I had 4 stories and countless sources in the mix. I had to become comfortable with moving from one story to the next in the span of 10 minutes. I usually like to start and finish one thing in a few hours, but that's not possible at a paper most of the time. I adapted and developed an insane note-taking speed and organization strategies.
Betsy told me that she thinks I did a good job with everything I was given, and told me she has faith in my potential. I was really happy to receive her compliments. It was a crazy week and I wasn't actually able to go see people and talk in person, which was a challenge, but I was really glad I got the experience, even if the stories weren't "hard hitting" news (nail polish and wallpaper= so girly.)
In my week off I think at least one of my two stories will run, but when I get back I'm going to finish the other 2 I haven't already, and start some more new ones. I'm really loving this experience. I work well under pressure.
Here's the link to my NJ page with all my stories so far. It's updated every time a new one is posted:
http://search.delawareonline.com/sp?aff=1100&skin=&keywords=mikala%20jamison
Friday, July 2, 2010
Southern Cookin', Ya'll
I'm going to interview Paula Deen from the Food Network! She's coming to the Delaware State Fair July 23 and we are going to do a story on her before then. I'm excited--my first celebrity interview, and with the queen of deep-fried, butter-soaked comfort food. Love her.
My crazy week is just about over. I'm in the process of finishing my third story this week. So exhausting. I've been learning so much about how to manage my time and get what I need, though. It's becoming less stressful for me to just get on the phone and figure everything out with people.
I'll be glad to put this wallpaper story behind me, and I finished the manicure story really quickly today to get it out of the way. My story on Forgotten Cats Inc. is becoming a hassle because the contact had some trouble getting back to me. I finally have all the photo requests in order, thank goodness. It will be nice to have a little break next week, but I can't really call it a break since I'll be training for another job all day. I've just become so used to being here, even if I leave at 2.
I introduced myself to another intern today that sits near me, since we all don't really know eachother. He's from Louisiana. I can't believe coming so far to work in Delaware. Maybe I've missed out on the allure of this state since I've been here my whole life. But hey, it has its moments. I'm certainly discovering more of it by working here, and also discovering, by way of reader phone calls, how many angry people are in this universe--I got an insane call earlier from a woman in response to my self-defense story. She didn't want to gripe about my story, she actually said it was informative, but just wanted to talk to me for 20 minutes about how her daughter was on trial for swatting at a guy at a bar who was physically harassing her. She was nice, but the conversation had nothing to do with anything I could possibly do to help her. Sigh. There's got to be a way to get out of those kinds of calls without blatantly smashing the receiver down...
Can't wait to talk to Paula and for all the other things coming up!
My crazy week is just about over. I'm in the process of finishing my third story this week. So exhausting. I've been learning so much about how to manage my time and get what I need, though. It's becoming less stressful for me to just get on the phone and figure everything out with people.
I'll be glad to put this wallpaper story behind me, and I finished the manicure story really quickly today to get it out of the way. My story on Forgotten Cats Inc. is becoming a hassle because the contact had some trouble getting back to me. I finally have all the photo requests in order, thank goodness. It will be nice to have a little break next week, but I can't really call it a break since I'll be training for another job all day. I've just become so used to being here, even if I leave at 2.
I introduced myself to another intern today that sits near me, since we all don't really know eachother. He's from Louisiana. I can't believe coming so far to work in Delaware. Maybe I've missed out on the allure of this state since I've been here my whole life. But hey, it has its moments. I'm certainly discovering more of it by working here, and also discovering, by way of reader phone calls, how many angry people are in this universe--I got an insane call earlier from a woman in response to my self-defense story. She didn't want to gripe about my story, she actually said it was informative, but just wanted to talk to me for 20 minutes about how her daughter was on trial for swatting at a guy at a bar who was physically harassing her. She was nice, but the conversation had nothing to do with anything I could possibly do to help her. Sigh. There's got to be a way to get out of those kinds of calls without blatantly smashing the receiver down...
Can't wait to talk to Paula and for all the other things coming up!
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