Letter from the editor
Outgoing editor does a double-take before bidding adieu
Erik Hyrkas
Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: Opinions
As outgoing editor-in-chief of The Mirror, I feel it is only appropriate to reflect upon my past experiences as a member of this newspaper and the future I see for it.
In the past four years, I have been one of very few Mirror staff members to raise their hand when asked, "Who is seeking a career in journalism?" I have gone from staff reporter, to features editor, to managing editor, to "the" editor. It was a natural progression to prepare me for the real world of journalism in lieu of the fact Lakeland does not have a communications or journalism major.
The Mirror is a lifestyle. Lakeland's one-credit practicum on The Mirror requires students to attend one-hour meetings three times a week and conduct interviews to write 500 word articles, after hours, every week.
Editors work between 20-35 hours during production week to publish the tabloid you currently hold between your palms. I have spent more time working in this newsroom than going to classes and doing homework combined.
The Mirror was my journalism major, and I loved every minute of it.
I do not point this out to complain or boast. I emphasize these facts to explain the value of this publication to those interested in communications and journalism, as well as to illustrate how passionate the students involved with it are. None of us would work this hard for something we did not believe in or love. It's the kind of masochism you can stand behind.
Thus, I transition to how I see the future. Lakeland needs a communications major. The Princeton Review has ranked communications in the top ten most popular majors for years. Communications is a major that can branch out to many different fields including radio, broadcasting, journalism, online, and even theatre. This major would help recruit more students who are interested in the newspaper which would help it grow into something even better and add even more avenues for new alternative media.
(Think Lakeland radio station, more podcasting, and better utilization of the Internet.)
In the past four years, I have been one of very few Mirror staff members to raise their hand when asked, "Who is seeking a career in journalism?" I have gone from staff reporter, to features editor, to managing editor, to "the" editor. It was a natural progression to prepare me for the real world of journalism in lieu of the fact Lakeland does not have a communications or journalism major.
The Mirror is a lifestyle. Lakeland's one-credit practicum on The Mirror requires students to attend one-hour meetings three times a week and conduct interviews to write 500 word articles, after hours, every week.
Editors work between 20-35 hours during production week to publish the tabloid you currently hold between your palms. I have spent more time working in this newsroom than going to classes and doing homework combined.
The Mirror was my journalism major, and I loved every minute of it.
I do not point this out to complain or boast. I emphasize these facts to explain the value of this publication to those interested in communications and journalism, as well as to illustrate how passionate the students involved with it are. None of us would work this hard for something we did not believe in or love. It's the kind of masochism you can stand behind.
Thus, I transition to how I see the future. Lakeland needs a communications major. The Princeton Review has ranked communications in the top ten most popular majors for years. Communications is a major that can branch out to many different fields including radio, broadcasting, journalism, online, and even theatre. This major would help recruit more students who are interested in the newspaper which would help it grow into something even better and add even more avenues for new alternative media.
(Think Lakeland radio station, more podcasting, and better utilization of the Internet.)
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Erik Hyrkas
posted 8/25/09 @ 11:03 AM CST
Aw, my final Lakeland Mirror article. Let it be known, I plan to finagle my way into The Mirror at least one more time! I'll do a "glimpse back from the real world". (Continued…)
Post a Comment