Note: As the year winds down # and graduation approaches # the editors at The Crow’s Nest want to offer their insight on life at USF St. Petersburg. This is the first in a three-part series.
In fall 2013, The Crow’s Nest staff sat around a table at Flipper’s Pizza on Fourth Street, talking about our futures.
I think we debated the appropriate age to get married. Then we went around the table talking about graduation dates. And for nearly everyone at the table, spring 2014 seemed to be the lucky number.
“Well then, who’s going to be the next editor in chief?” someone asked.
The entire table turned and stared at me.
My face turned bright red.
I was the 19-year-old assistant news editor. I’d barely taken enough journalism classes to consider myself proficient. I had changed my major only one semester before.
But from that day, I embraced my destiny. I was going to be the next editor in chief, unless some incredible candidate came out of left field and stole the position. I half hoped someone would.
I was the only applicant for the position by the time spring 2014 rolled around. And at that point, I was confident that I could handle it.
The first weeks on the job tested me. I was unaware of all the editor-in-chief’s behind the scenes responsibilities. I was exhausted, and I began to doubt I was going to make it. Putting out issue No. 1 felt like a miracle to me. How could I make it through 28 more?
I am old enough to remember the dynasty of brilliant graduate students before me that ran this paper. And as a 20-year-old rookie journalist, I wasn’t sure I could measure up. (The editor in chief before me was also 20 years old. But I also viewed her as a wordsmith to be reckoned with).
In the first month on the job, I was sick. I got a little head cold that wouldn’t go away. My faculty adviser dubbed me “Typhoid Jennifer.” Midway through that month, I found myself at the doctor’s office, where I was being tested for mono. I think the 10 minutes I spent waiting for those results were some of the longest 10 minutes of my life. A small part of me wanted the results to come back positive, so I could just walk away from the challenges ahead of me and spend the next semester in bed at home.
Fortunately#for my health, the entire staff at The Crow’s Nest and me personally#the results came back negative. And I’m so glad they did.
Managing The Crow’s Nest has been a great experience. I feel that newspapers do an indispensable service to the community#keeping power in check, highlighting positive things that happen and keeping students informed.
I’ve also learned to take criticism and be humble over mistakes. I’ve definitely not been a perfect editor, nor have I made all the right decisions. But I feel confident that I’ve done a good job in my position, and I’ve learned to let some criticism slide, while admitting when I’ve messed up.
I’m not going to bore you with the list of lessons I’ve learned. But I’m grateful that I got this position.
It’s one of the best things that’s happened to me.
It’s that time of year when positions open up. Organizations and other campus entities are looking for student leaders. This may be your year. If you don’t lead, at least get involved. You won’t graduate and say: “Oh, I regret being involved.”
For those of you who are wondering: Editor-in-chief applications for next year are now closed. I apologize to everyone who may have been inspired by this article. But you still have to apply for another position. And who knows? Maybe this time next year you’ll be a strong candidate.
