Semester Two
Major Reflection
Throughout my time on The Campanile, I've especially expanded my experience as a writer and photographer. Through my Spotlight in particular, I learned more about research and communication. I became better at contacting sources, especially adults and professionals by writing formal emails. Spotlight also showed me how to get more in-depth research and how to analyze media articles and data more deeply. Spotlight also taught me about working with a team and integrating our different areas of research along with compromising on differences we shared. For instance, the writing coach Evelyn wanted to have more of a focus on the Chinese influence on our local school board election than me and the other writers did, and we had to politely settle this difference in opinion with her. As a photographer, I got to photograph more speakers this semester, and I found that I had to keep a good balance to keep between listening to the speaker and taking photos. I also learned how to interact with these people while taking natural, candid photos of them. I know all of these skills will carry me into the future especially through my field of study next year, which is media studies.
As I mentioned earlier, I had troubles on my Spotlight with resolving conflicts between what the writing coach wanted and what the other writers and I wanted. We solved these issues through compromise and discussion. Another struggle I had during Spotlight, and also writing articles in general, was not hearing back from sources soon enough, which taught me to contact them further in advance and to contact many sources because it's better to have too many than not enough.
My experience with high school journalism has taught me how to write better, how to interact with people better, how to take photos that tell a story, and more about graphic design. All of these skills will be especially necessary in the future whether it be in school, work, or just on a day-to-day basis. My time with The Campanile has also influenced my future plans as well. From my time on this publication, I've found that I enjoy writing and digital arts, which is why I will be pursuing media studies next year. I plan to join the newspaper at my college next year as well.
All of the skills I have learned throughout my years of high school journalism can be applied to the workplace. The writing skills I've learned will definitely be helpful for college and jobs, no matter what field I go into. My knowledge of photography and digital design will definitely be helpful in my major of media studies in college and will also give me a leg up when applying to jobs. Additionally, the people skills I've acquired through working with the other staff members and editors, distributing, and getting sources will be immensely helpful in the future. Meeting deadlines and knowing how to communicate with adults and professionals will especially be helpful in college, the workplace, and in life in general.
I would say my photography and duties as a photo editor should be additionally considered. Along with taking extra time outside of class and writing stories to take photos of events and sports games, I also spend time assigning photographers to stories and helping them with photo ideas. Additionally, over the course of the year I've worked on pages during production that weren't mine that could be considered as well.
MLMH Reflection
This year, I definitely evolved as a leader but I also found areas where I need to grow as well. As someone who isn't great at talking with people, I improved those skills quite a bit. For instance, I spent a lot of time getting to know the photographers individually, as they're a much smaller group than the whole staff. I pride myself on being patient and a good listener, and I think these traits really came through as I got to know the photographers on a more personal level. As a result, I also got better at assigning them photos and knowing how reliable they were. I also got better at being more persistent. Prior to being photo editor, I always trusted that people would get their work done and left them to it. Ideally this would be the case, but over the course of the year I found that realistically this just didn't happen, so I learned to check in with people and constantly remind them to get their work done. While leadership is often seen as a role for very extroverted and loud people, I found that as a more quiet and introspective person, I could make a different impact as a leader.
That being said, I have come out of this role with things I could work on as a leader. I am not always the best at making split-second decisions, and I didn't have to do this a lot as a photo editor but when I did it was somewhat stressful for me. Decision making is an important aspect of both leadership and life in general, and I know in some cases it will be necessary for me to make quick decisions without overthinking. Having to make last second decisions about photos during production, for instance, have showed me that this is an area I should improve. Additionally, I personally had some trouble seeing myself as an authority, even into the second semester. I knew that I had influence, but I for the most part I saw the theeds as above me. Although this is true in many cases, I realized that they are not always above me in the area of photos, because that is my expertise. For instance, once I asked them about whether they thought a photo was good for a certain story, and they didn't know the answer. It took me a long time to realize the fact that I actually had an important role and my work as a photo editor helps the publication run smoothly. This may be because I haven't been in many positions of leadership before, and I had a hard time recognizing myself as something other than a follower or someone with less influence. Knowing this, I will go into future leadership roles with the knowledge that I have influence and that I am qualified for the position.
Through my role as the photo editor, I helped implement The Campanile's first ever photography system through improving my people skills and also my patience and listening skills. However, I also know I have to work on my decision making and confidence. Having the knowledge of these good and not as good qualities of mine will definitely be beneficial in the future, whether it be in a leadership position or in personal life.
Semester One
Major Reflection
As a writer and photo editor in The Campanile this semester, I have grown even more as a journalist. In writing more stories, I have expanded my journalistic horizons, have met new people, and have learned about new topics that I wouldn’t have otherwise. As opposed to last year, I became more of an investigative and inquisitive journalist. I learned to ask more in-depth questions and learned to be persistent in gaining new information.
Most of my challenges this years have been related to sources being slow to reply to interview requests/ questions. More specifically, I had the most trouble getting sources for my opinion story about AP Lang. Since it was an opinion piece, I needed their feedback so it would be an ethical criticism. However, teachers did not respond to my interview requests; eventually, one Lang teacher told me that all teachers had to discuss interview questions from The Campanile. But even after emailing them, they took awhile to reply, and when they did, they didn’t want to answer my questions. Finally, on the last day of production, I had an off-the-book discussion with Ms. Launer, which gave me very informative background info. This experience taught me to get sources earlier and to be persistent in order to get information. As photo editor, there have also been some last-minute scrambles for photos during production, due to breaking news stories or photographers not getting photos in on time. I have learned to alot time for this, and use my second period prep to take these photos. Photographers aren’t always motivated to get photos in on time, as it isn’t a part of their grade, but I have also gotten better at getting on their case and making them turn in photos on time or making them go out and take photos.
As a high school journalist, I have become more knowledgeable about current events, design, and other elements that go into making a publication. Since joining The Campanile, I have started paying more attention to details in Paly publications and other print publications. As a result, I have become more observant and critical of layouts I used to barely glance at. I have also started reading articles more in-depth, whether they be online or in print. I have a better appreciation of the behind-the-scenes of journalism, and I make sure to appreciate it whenever reading the news or a magazine.
Many journalism skills will relate to my professional life, even though I don’t plan on becoming a professional journalist. I have learned to be more insistent and decisive when it comes to getting information I need, such as in the AP Lang article, something that will transfer in companies where teamwork is crucial. I am introverted, but I have learned how to better talk to strangers and adults when interviewing sources and distributing, which will definitely be important in the workplace. As photo editor, I have honed my leadership skills as well, especially that of using a quieter influence to mentor and built rapport with other photographers, essential skills in a collaborative workplace atmosphere.
I believe the photos I have taken for The Campanile this cycle should be counted as part of my contribution to the newspaper. Along with assigning photos and coming up with photo ideas, I have taken most of the photos including sport photography, portraiture, and event photos for The Campanile.
Throughout my time as a member of The Campanile, I have come to recognize journalism, especially print journalism, as an art form. My family has always been subscribed to print publications like The New York Times and Time Magazine. I used to flip through the pages, briefly glancing at the photos or art before tossing them aside. But now, as a member of a publication, I have come to appreciate the work that goes into writing even the shortest articles and designing the most simplistic-looking pages. I take my time poring through magazines, newspapers, and online articles. I read (or at least skim) more articles (especially profiles, news, and reviews) and scrutinize design elements of a page in a way I wouldn’t have before. As a result, I am more informed about current events and the experiences of others, which has built up my understanding of the world. I also have a greater eye for detail. Additionally, I have realized the impact of journalism on the community and on a national scale, in the way it can skew perspectives, reveal new ones, and convey correct (or incorrect) information. All in all, being a staff member on The Campanile has shown me the dedication necessary for publications and the effects of journalism.