Nov. 20-22, 2002
By Sara Tennessen, journalism and
mass communication major
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My trip to the Chicago Tribune was
packed full of experiences. In two days, I spoke with
many writers and editors on life as a journalist and
the paths they took to their current jobs.
This was useful for me, as a graduating senior who hopes
to someday find a job at a prominent metro newspaper.
I also had the chance to see how the Tribune works,
from news meetings to the interactive department to
the launch of the Red Eye.
Bob Condor's hospitality was incredible. He took Michaela
and I out for a 3-hour-long dinner to talk about anything
and everything related to journalism.
He spoke honestly with us about how he juggles work
and his family, about difficult choices he made in his
career path and how his career has affected his life.
He answered any question we asked, introduced us to
dozens of people throughout the newsroom and helped
us work out the daunting logistics of reporting our
stories. Without Bob's willingness to help, the trip
would not have been as useful.
I sat in on three very different planning sessions:
for the Q section, the Tribune's front page and the
Red Eye. I spoke with younger reporters on how they
found their way to the Chicago Tribune so quickly. I
spoke with older, more established reporters on life
as a reporter and their experiences.
I also got to visit the test kitchen, which I did not
even think about as a possibility before I went to Chicago.
The visit gave me several ideas about directions my
career could take after graduation.
One of the most useful sessions was spent with Sheila
Solomon, director of recruitment for the Tribune. She
gave us advice on how to apply for newspaper jobs and
told us what she looks for in a cover letter, resumé
and clips. She listened to our credentials, gave us
tips on how to improve them and told us where we should
start looking for jobs.
The most difficult portion of the trip was reporting
my story, not because of the subject matter, but because
of the logistics.
I had to travel by train for over an hour to Aurora
for a late-night study party. I wouldn't recommend sending
someone so far away while they're visiting for such
a short time. But I understand that the editors were
working on extremely short notice, and I appreciate
the fact that I got the chance to be published in the
Chicago Tribune.
The trip was worth it, but I would recommend that the
next people find stories a little closer to home so
they can spend more time at the Tribune.
I was surprised that the editors did not edit my story
more. I had hoped to get some advice on feature writing
and writing in general, but my story was published almost
without changes.
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