From fellow interns to seasoned veterans, the staff at the Knoxville News Sentinel gave their advice to upcoming journalists who are venturing into their respective fields. The following are helpful quotes from staff members along with where they interned/started out
“Set up a strategy.Think about your target. The best time to look for a job, is when you have a job” – Jack McElroy, Editor in-Chief. McElroy started out working out in a Print Shop in his hometown of Tuscon, AZ.
“Improve the skills that you brought to the internship. Produce as much content as you can with those skills. Make your mistakes as an intern” – Tom Chester, Managing Editor. Chestter’s first job was as a staff writer for the newspaper in the United States Air Force. While serving, he attended USAF’s School of Information.
“Nothing beats interpersonal communication, that the damn truth”- Sam Venable, Staff Columnist. Venable’s first day of work was January 3rd, 1968 as (what he calls) a “glorified gopher”. He distributed stories to the staff in the newsroom. Venable will be inducted into the University of Tennessee’s Journalism Hall of Fame this fall.
“Show you’re indespensible, show some intiative. Approach every assignment as it was the most important assignment you have ever done” – J. Miles Cary, Staff Photographer. Cary started working while serving in the Vietnam War from 1968-1969, taking photographs. As he puts it “Luckily I survived that job”
“Establish a reputation as someone who is eager. Network like crazy!” – John North, Metro Editor. North started out as an intern at WBBN in Chicago.
“Get letters of recommendation, check for openings, and attend job fairs” Angela, Online Producer. As an undergrad, Angela didn’t land one single internship. However her professor recommended her for a position at a paper in her hometown of San Francisco.