APSE

A panel of nine students from various colleges in the Raleigh area answered and asked questions this month at the joint AWSM / APSE Atlantic Coast region meeting.

Moderator Robbi Pickeral from the Raleigh News & Observer got the panel warmed up by asking each student what their first memory of newspapers was. There were some interesting – and amusing answers.

"When I was growing up, my dad wrote for the Family and Life section of the Fayetteville Observer," said Kate Barnes, an N.C. State freshman whose father, Greg, is now the Sunday editor in Fayetteville.

"This resulted in an oftentimes humiliating column being published every Tuesday morning. Virtually every mortifying event in the first 12 years of my life was in black and white for Fayetteville to read."

Next, the students were asked where they’d like to be in 10 years. While each student expressed the importance of staying flexible in this ever-changing industry, almost half said they’d very much like to work in newspapers.

A couple had very specific goals, like working in Boston or for Sports Illustrated. The session really got rolling during the Q&A. The students asked the professionals advice on several topics, including how best to conduct and interview. The newspaper people asked the students’ advice on ways to improve their sections.

"It was really beneficial to interact with sports editors I could envision as future employers," Barnes said. "Even though my plans – and, consequently, my major – may change over the next four years, it was reassuring to know that I’m on the right track as far as experience goes."

After the session, several of the professional journalists commented on the positive attitude of the young people. "I thought it was great because of the turnout of the students," Pickeral said. "It was nice to see such a large group of students come out midweek, and have such a great interest in journalism and specifically in newspapers.

"It was refreshing … and encouraging."