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Another Email Brightens My Day

10/5/2012

2 Comments

 
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Every now and then, an aspiring journalist sends me an email with feedback or an update that brightens my day. Often, it's from one of my Marquette students (see "Journalism Prospect On His Game"). But I especially enjoy hearing from students or recent graduates of other journalism programs (see "Touched By a Graduate's Email"). Another one of those appeared in my inbox this week – and with her permission I share it here:

Good afternoon, Mr. Lowe. My name is Taylor Shaw. I am a May 2012 graduate of Peace College in Raleigh, N.C. Recently, I accepted a position with The Triangle Tribune, a black community newspaper in Durham, N.C. 

I just wanted to thank you for all that you have done for me and my budding journalism career. You have helped me indirectly through the use of social media. I follow #loweclass to stay in the loop. I am constantly learning how I can become a better journalist. I attended a college where media resources were scarce. I learned a lot about journalism through programs with NABJ and internships. I am happy that I have a go-to site where I can stay engaged.

I attended your "Branding You: Student Edition" session during the NABJ convention in June. As a recent college graduate, I knew a strong online presence was key in finding a career. I took your advice on personal branding. I created a digital portfolio, changed my Twitter bio – you featured my twesume on your blog and article for Poynter (how ironic!) – created a cover letter – I used "Covering the Student Cover Letter" – and revamped my LinkedIn page. I constantly go back to the notes from the session as a reference.

Thank you again for sharing your knowledge and wisdom. Sincerely, Taylor Shaw @TaylorShaw_427.

Noting here that my first job out of college was at the Milwaukee Community Journal, also a black newspaper. Anyway, based on her apparent humility, hunger for learning, and readiness to seize upon advice and resources offered by organizations such as NABJ and Poynter, I am confident that Taylor will realize her journalism dreams. For now, I am equally thrilled and humbled that she finds #loweclass and this website helpful.
2 Comments
Lynn Norment
10/9/2012 12:20:42 am

Good Morning, Herb!
Thanks for sharing feedback from the young journalist Taylor Shaw. It is so important what you do, what we all do, to encourage students and budding young journalists as they establish and pursue their careers. I recently was contacted by a new journalism graduate who was at a loss as to how to jump start his career. He obviously went to a school that did very little to mentor and direct students into career paths. Via email and telephone I helped the young man improve his cover letter, resume and insisted that he dig out clips from articles he had written for the college newspaper. (Can't imagine why he was not using the clips. . .) Then invited him to attend a networking session hosted by NABJ Chicago. That's where I met him for the first time. He worked the room and in the next few weeks secured an internship. I'm waiting now to hear more about the internship and what his next steps are. I am very pleased that what time and effort (which was very little in my estimation) I devoted to him resulted in an internship and that perhaps now he is on the path to a fulfilling media career. I often have people, some not so young any more, remind me they were in one of my classes at Columbia College Chicago years or even some who were not students tell me that the advice I gave them really helped their careers. It is the least that we as professionals can do to give back to our young people. Herb, thanks for all that you and other journalists and journalism educators do to assist our future journalists.

Hello to Myra!

Sincerely,

Lynn Norment

Reply
Kouki Collier link
11/10/2012 01:19:27 am

I have learned a ton from you and we have only known each other for a week! The difference between the advice you have given me and the advice that my school provides is its relevance. It's nice knowing about what work will be like when I get there, but how do I GET there. Creating a website and strong social media presence honestly never crossed my mind. Thank you so much for getting me on my feet!

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    My journalism DNA remains strong as I learn and teach new ways to tell and present stories, especially via digital and social media. This blog is where I share what happens in my classroom and my life and, from time to time, offer my views on current events. I appreciate your feedback – either as comments herein or in an email to herbert.lowe [at] marquette [dot] edu.

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