Last night was my first night of work and I think it went pretty well. Oddly enough when I got in they were having a surprise party for a staff member who had been there 20 years. But it was nice to see they do little things like that.
My boss, Brian, introduced me quickly to everyone. I'm going to have to try listening around the office to remember all their names -- I'm usually good at remembering names but not when 20 are thrown at me all at once. Everyone seemed pretty nice and there are quite a few younger people on staff.
I spent most of the night being taught how things work by Brian. I think I'll catch on sort of quickly, but they use a ton of different folders and programs to get stories and layout the pages so it's more confusing than I anticipated. But, I'm sure I'll get used to it. I designed the business page last night -- so at least they are throwing me into doing actual pages.
There's also an intern on desk. She seems nice and is a junior at McDaniel. She doesn't immediately seem to be the kind of girl I'd be friends with, but you never know. There are also three Katies on desk - so that'll be interesting.
I'm excited to be able to learn all the programs so I can design pages on my own, and maybe design lots of different kinds of pages, too. It'll also be nice getting to know everyone better over the next couple of weeks.
Now I'm just waiting for the Comcast person to come set up my cable and Internet. Right now I am leeching off someone else's Internet, but it's not fast enough to watch last night's episode of "Glee"!! But the time the person is supposed to come is between noon and 3 p.m., which means I am just sitting here waiting ... and waiting ... and waiting. Where are you Comcast man!?
Showing posts with label newspapers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label newspapers. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
It's not all about the Benjamins
Lately I have heard a few people say that maybe I didn't pick the best profession to go into. Newspapers are hurting, the pay is bad and (as a copy editor) the hours worse.
And I've been giving non committal answers to those comments with "It'll be fine" or "This is what I want to do." But what I really need to say is NO, I did not choose the wrong profession -- I chose the one I've wanted since I was 15. In life a job shouldn't always have to be about the money, and maybe not always even the security, it should be about following one's passion.
When I try to imagine what else I could do after graduating, there's nothing but being in a newsroom. I love every aspect of newspaper work, but copy editing is where I found my niche. It's also what I am good at and what comes naturally, which is also very important. If you enjoy something, but are bad at it that doesn't make an easy career path and nor does being good at something but hating it. I've found the perfect formula of something I truly enjoy doing and also do well.
It would be amazing to be a doctor ... but that's not a possibility considering I cover my eyes at many of the surgery scenes in "Grey's Anatomy." I'm tone def, I can't act my way out of a paper bag and being a lawyer is out since I don't particularly enjoy arguing with people. So copy editing looks like a pretty good deal stacked up against that.
And the hours are late -- but that gives me sunny afternoons to read on the balcony of my apartment or volunteer at the library or local arts center. The pay isn't fabulous, but why does it have to be about the money? It's paper and metal! Why does it define our lives so much? I admit I have never had to worry too seriously about money -- so that may cloud my view of it -- but all the same I am willing to forgo some luxuries to have a job I love. In essence, to be happy.
Material things are wonderful, but I don't think it would do me any harm to cut back on what I spend my money on during the next few years. As long as I can afford to eat (and drink coffee), have gas in my car and pay rent and cable/Internet, then that's all I really need ... well, besides a library card and sunny days.
And I've been giving non committal answers to those comments with "It'll be fine" or "This is what I want to do." But what I really need to say is NO, I did not choose the wrong profession -- I chose the one I've wanted since I was 15. In life a job shouldn't always have to be about the money, and maybe not always even the security, it should be about following one's passion.
When I try to imagine what else I could do after graduating, there's nothing but being in a newsroom. I love every aspect of newspaper work, but copy editing is where I found my niche. It's also what I am good at and what comes naturally, which is also very important. If you enjoy something, but are bad at it that doesn't make an easy career path and nor does being good at something but hating it. I've found the perfect formula of something I truly enjoy doing and also do well.
It would be amazing to be a doctor ... but that's not a possibility considering I cover my eyes at many of the surgery scenes in "Grey's Anatomy." I'm tone def, I can't act my way out of a paper bag and being a lawyer is out since I don't particularly enjoy arguing with people. So copy editing looks like a pretty good deal stacked up against that.
And the hours are late -- but that gives me sunny afternoons to read on the balcony of my apartment or volunteer at the library or local arts center. The pay isn't fabulous, but why does it have to be about the money? It's paper and metal! Why does it define our lives so much? I admit I have never had to worry too seriously about money -- so that may cloud my view of it -- but all the same I am willing to forgo some luxuries to have a job I love. In essence, to be happy.
Material things are wonderful, but I don't think it would do me any harm to cut back on what I spend my money on during the next few years. As long as I can afford to eat (and drink coffee), have gas in my car and pay rent and cable/Internet, then that's all I really need ... well, besides a library card and sunny days.
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