Flashback to August 25, 2008—the first day of school for my final semester at the UA (pending successful completion of all 5 classes-(please have mercy on me!) I was so excited to put all my knowledge learned over the summer at channel 12 to use and become.. Editor-in-Chief of Borderbeat.net (cue the dramatic music)
First I should attempt to portray to you why I wanted to hold such a title:
1. I'm a control freak. In every aspect of my life. Sad but true.
2. I guess # 1 pretty much sums it up.
The thing is, at the inception of the semester, I had a lot on my plate (both allegorically, and literally). Yes I was busy and I loved to eat. For the most part, unrelated, but nonetheless; true. I was working as a bartender/server 3-4 nights a week, heading to Phoenix for the everlasting internship early Friday morning (3 a.m.) and taking the aforementioned 5 classes; all of which are time-consuming and interesting (especially Ms. Kurzer’s class, and not just because I’m borderline failing it). I already felt busy but I have an incessant inability to say “no” to a challenge and I had great aspirations for the publication. I wanted to somehow make it the most read online publication at or around the UA. (Stop laughing).
While it may not be the most read, it is something I’m proud of. The reporters in the class were easy to work with and many put out exceptionally commendable online articles. Having another Editor-in-Chief really helped as he knew all the ins and outs of the technical side of producing an online magazine. I was able to focus on the creative side, helping develop story ideas, story formats, and basic right-brained related activities.
The highlights of the class, though, far outnumbered the detriments of the time-consumption. I was able to create a few videos, some of which I’m semi-proud of. I was able to learn html (though I still don’t know what it stands for). I was able to meet some really interesting, helpful, and all-round good people. I was able to experience St. Andrew’s Clinic, which you can read my thoughts on below or see the stories. I was introduced to some fascinating online news outlets of which I could attempt to mimic or at least be inspired by. Oh, and did I mention I actually had fun doing all of this? I think we all had a good time in class and doing stories, though I’ll have to fact-check that point to verify.
But here is a fact: I had no idea that I was going to gain so much from this class. The experiences were invaluable, the time was memorable and the publication remains the most read online border-related magazine publication put out by the University of Arizona journalism department. And though I know it sounds infomercial-like, I feel lucky to have experienced it all and almost wish I could do it again. (Minus the other classes and working 3-4 nights a week).
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22556281-661,00.html
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