Ever since I began this whirlwind journey into college media advising, I have been scouring resources to pass on to my students. I’m a slave to social media and have found some of the best sites, blogs, and organizations an immense help in navigating the ever-changing field of journalism. Majority of my students have little to no interest in Twitter, but ironically, majority of the tips and industry updates I receive come from my contacts on Twitter. So, I thought I’d pass these on with the hopes of encouraging my team to follow the trends and the advice from the best of the best. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Category: Journalism
Has Journalism Been Hit With an Ugly Stick?
Journalists are trained to be objective – trained to report on the good, the bad, and the ugly. However, when it comes to our own profession, we often find it difficult to see anything but the good. The truth is that there are many ugly aspects of the job, and as this industry continues to change rapidly, many ugly trends have evolved. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Journalists, the Library is Your Friend
I feel sorry for the library. It has truly lost its glory in the past 10 years. Once thought of as the end-all-be-all place for information, it has been replaced by Internet search engines that quickly lead us to websites within minutes. No one takes the time to browse the library’s shelves anymore, leaving dust to settle on our nation’s most valued treasures – books. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
College Media Advising: Learning to Let Go
Advising a student newspaper is very much like teaching a child how to ride a bike. Cautious and slow at first, a parent is right there, guiding, supporting, and coaching. As the child gets the hang of it and gains confidence, you slowly push away and let him or her ride off on his own, watching his every move from a distance and hoping for the best. Sometimes the kid crashes, sometimes he stops himself, afraid to move on, and other times, he rides recklessly without any fear, throwing caution to the wind. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
What I Love Most About Teaching
Never in a million years did I ever think I would find myself in the teaching field. In third grade, I swore I was going to be a court reporter. In eighth grade, I was going to be the next Joan Jett. In high school, I wanted to pursue a career in music. At the onset of college, it was accounting, then music marketing, then public relations, then business, and ultimately, journalism. I had big dreams to get OUT of school, not to stay in it. Read the rest at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Five Things Every Student Journalist Should Do … Now
Student journalists are busy people. Beyond tending to class work, outside jobs, and attempting to have somewhat of a social life, they spend their days brainstorming story ideas, writing stories, gathering video and photos, laying out pages, and managing ethical dilemmas. They work tirelessly to produce fair, accurate, and balanced coverage of campus communities while also trying to inform and entertain readers. As a college media adviser, my job is to provide the resources and training needed, guide and counsel students, and even serve as a sounding board when the pressure is leading to burnout. Read more at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Writing From the Grave
Death is so taboo. People fear it, avoid discussing it, and shudder at the thought of it. In reality, though, death opens up someone’s life story. When a person dies, his or her life’s story unfolds and then becomes newsworthy. To counteract feelings of despair, family, friends, and co-workers reflect on the deceased, tell stories of the past, and ingrain this person’s image and likeliness with memories. Read more at http://www.shannonphilpott.com
Social Media Overload
I’ve spent the past few days immersed, overwhelmed, delighted, and frustrated with social media. As participants in the Associated Collegiate Press Summer Journalism Workshops in Minneapolis, Minn. four of my students and I have been bombarded with high-tech options for reinventing and improving the standards for student newspaper publishing.
Procrastination Kills Confidence
As a journalist, procrastination is an evil trait. Once the excitement of gathering facts, interviews, notes, and observations dwindles, procrastination often sets in. The only thing left to do? Write the damn story.
Shannon Philpott-Sanders 