The opinions represented in this article do not necessarily represent those of the staff of CUIndependent.com nor any of its sponsors.
As graduating seniors, we’re often asked, “Are you ready to join the real world?” And though the adult responsibilities of mortgages, taxes and 401(k)s are intimidating, both of us can say we are quite ready to jump into the realm of professional journalism thanks to those who have believed in us. But within the University, we have also met resistance.
The finest inspirations in the School of Journalism have been those select individuals who believe in the competence of their students–those who hold us to the highest standards.
That expectation of excellence has served to teach us both practical skills and journalistic principles. They teach us to be idealistic in an industry of hardened cynics and how to be responsible when “the media” becomes harder to trust. We learned from those who trusted us. These are the people who let us fail so we could learn from our mistakes. These are the people who give us responsibilities that we have to own up to. These are the people who go out on a limb to help us better ourselves.
Unfortunately, we found that these people are hard to come by in the SJMC.
As students, and as CU Independent editors-in-chief, we received little support and often outright discouragement from the very people who are supposed to help us grow. Our staff members have been mocked in class, the publication has been threatened and we have seen both CU and the SJMC attempt censorship. It seems that the faculty places little merit on the value of the hands-on experience that has supplemented our formal education.
Encountering faculty members who have little confidence in the abilities of the student media, we can’t help but question the education we’ve paid so dearly for. When our instructors doubt us, we begin to doubt their teaching. Aren’t these the people who are supposed to be transforming us into capable journalists?
Many faculty members have failed to live up to that expectation. Some of our teachers have been life-changing. Others have been hypercritical. While fighting each other and fighting this publication, many have lost sight of their obligation to the students. Protesting the opportunity for practical experience does not serve the students’ best interests. It threatens our careers and stifles the changing face of our industry.
There is a limit to the journalism that can be taught in a classroom. While our faculty has a lot to offer, the best education a student can get is to combine those classes with the opportunity to practice journalism every single day. Through our triumphs, we learned the practical skills that will get us hired, and through our mistakes, we learned the values that will take us to the top.
The SJMC faculty should stand behind their work. If they are teaching us the things we’re supposed to know to be journalists, they should believe in us as we pursue those endeavors. Encourage the students to take every opportunity to learn their trade outside of the classroom, whether it’s through the CU Independent, Sports Mag, Radio 1190 or internships. Faculty, if you taught us well, our work will reflect that. Just trust us.
Contact CU Independent spring 2010 Editor-in-Chief Danielle Alberti at Alberti@colorado.edu.
Contact CU Independent spring 2010 Managing Editor Cameron Naish at Naish@colorado.edu.
3 comments
Oh Boo Hoo. Some of you CU students are spoiled brats. Journalism? You can write every day without someone telling you that you have to. And in true journalistic fashion, you just painted the entire SJMC faculty with one broad brush. Upset you decided to major in something that is a dying profession? I repeat, oh boo hoo.
Dude, you have to learn HOW to write first! That’s what this whole column is about and what Dani and Cameron have been practicing for years. Besides, if we journalists are all whining idiots who should just be able to wake up one day and start writing, then why are you interested enough in a school that teaches journalism to care what someone says about it? No brat could have made it as far as these two have-all the while being preached to about their professional fashions-so rest assured that they know better than you what size of brush to use.
Thank you Cameron and Dani!
As a graduate from SJMC I know a few staff members who did make my experience worthwhile and shape who I am today. However, my memory of SJMC is bittersweet since the good was so often overshadowed by repetitious curriculum and certain tenured faculty who wasted my time and endangered programs such as the CU Independent.
I recently read that SJMC is changing its curriculum next fall. Hope it helps.
For those still twiddling their thumbs in the classroom, here’s some advice: The best professor you are going to get at SJMC is an adjunct — someone not so far removed from the real world. As always, there are exceptions to the rule, so be sure to ask advice from those older and wiser students who have done it all already.
I consider the job I have today to be a reflection of the work I put in outside of the classroom at CU Independent and at internships. I believe the authors of this article — who are clearly very ballsy and very honest (my favorite kind of folk) — put that same effort into CU Independent; I know they will be successful after graduation day.
But for those who have or are relying on the curriculum of the school, good luck.