This is a shameless plug, but since it’s my last issue and I’m about to fire my way out of this joint: join the paper, people.
I can’t stress this enough. I feel like everyone on this staff has been stressing it since the day they were claimed by this paper, but join.
Look, if you want me to break it down, here’s why joining your college newspaper is important. One, it looks good on your resume and job applications and will get you hired (probably).
Do you know how many times I’ve sat in alumni panels and listened to alumni with very successful careers mention how they have written for the Mirror and it’s one of the reasons why they’re thriving years later? As someone who is going through the job search process now and is going on interviews– they always ask me about my role on the paper. Employers love seeing that you have worked for your college newspaper because of all the skills you’ve learned on it like writing, organization, time management and developing an argument. These are the skills employers look for and want in future employees.
This brings me to my next point: you gain so many skills. This includes all of the skills I listed above and many more. This job taught me how to use Photoshop and InDesign. It also taught me the logistics of being a leader, being responsible and honestly a better person. Before I joined this staff I was shy, didn’t know where I belonged on this campus and was ready to transfer. After joining the paper I felt like I had a purpose on this campus. I loved being Kat Klima, Vine Editor. It became my niche on campus and pushed me to do things I never thought I’d ever do. Suddenly, I was becoming more outgoing and learning how I could test my boundaries more. Plus, I got to interview so many cool people and just gain so many different amazing experiences I will eternally be grateful for.
Third, a college newspaper is a place where you can meet a bunch of amazing people. During my time here this staff has been filled with some of the coolest people I have met during my college experience. Even though many of them came and went, your connections only grow through a paper like this.
Building off of this, we’re also not all journalism majors. Currently, this staff is filled with majors ranging from English, communications, public relations, film, art history and even engineering. You don’t need to be in journalism to find purpose on this staff. I’ve had friends before who don’t have any sort of writing background, but they write for us because they were passionate about music or sports. The Mirror is a place where you can hone in on a specific passion and really use it to build up your portfolio and later on do something you really love.
So, if you have thought about joining or you weren’t sure, just join. Even if it’s not to be a section editor, being a contributing writer itself can bring you so many opportunities you never thought you’d ever have. The Mirror office is always open to welcome new members. All you gotta do is stop by.
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