Pictured above: The Crow’s Nest is hiring an editor-in-chief and nine other staff members for the 2020-2021 school year. Here’s why you should apply.
Letter and photo by Emily Wunderlich
When I was an incoming freshman, the first thing I wanted to do was work at The Crow’s Nest.
I knew my goal was to work in print journalism, but I was lucky. I didn’t need to switch my major several times to realize what I loved to do.
I know that choice isn’t easy for everyone.
But regardless of what you want to do after graduation, working at the school newspaper will help get you there. Employers care about experience — not your grade point average.
If you have published work to show for your time in college, that will put you a cut above everyone else.
It’s hiring season here at The Crow’s Nest. We’re looking for an ambitious, dedicated and quick learner to take the reigns as editor in chief next year. We’re also looking for nine other staff members to carry on our legacy after we graduate.
But of all the students in our journalism department, only three have applied for jobs.
What gives?
We’ve extended the applications deadline to 5 p.m. on Friday, March 13. Here’s why you should apply — regardless of your major or class standing.
The Crow’s Nest goes far beyond anything you’ll learn in a classroom. Each story you write will challenge you to apply the skills you’ve taken away from your education, whether it be interviewing, reporting, editing or ethical news judgment.
If you like in-depth reporting or analyzing data and public records, we keep close tabs on consolidation and how it will impact our small campus. We’ve reported on sexual harassment and violence on campus; how Student Government allocates our student fees; and how enrollment has drastically declined under consolidation.
Maybe that isn’t your speed. That’s OK. We also cover local and national artists and musical acts, such as Tyler, the Creator, Japanese Breakfast and Billy Mays III. We report on protests and social justice movements as well, including climate change, gun control and anti-fascism.
No matter your skill level, working here will ensure you become a more well-rounded reporter, editor, photographer or graphic designer.
You’ll become accustomed to meeting weekly deadlines and develop a thicker skin for criticism.
Weekly critiques from the paper’s adviser will help you identify your strengths and areas of improvement.
You’ll even get the opportunity to enter your work into local, state and nationwide competitions, like the Hearst Journalism Awards and the Society of Professional Journalists Sunshine State Awards.
You’ll build relationships with important sources and learn the ins and outs of how our campus functions.
Most importantly, you’ll accumulate clips and leadership experience that will lead to other professional opportunities. Many of us on staff this year have now had at least one internship at a media outlet, whether it be the Bradenton Herald, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Creative Loafing Tampa Bay or WUSF Public Media.
This is a critical time for our university and its student paper. As the July 1 deadline for consolidation approaches, the campus community needs more than ever a trusted resource to keep it informed and hold the top decision-makers accountable.
And the future of The Crow’s Nest remains uncertain. While it looks like we’ll have an annual budget for next year, part of the consolidation recommendations include potentially merging our newspaper with Tampa’s, The Oracle, and considering an online-only product.
Long story short: Get involved while you still can, because there’s never been a better time.
In October, we celebrated our 50th anniversary as a campus publication. On March 5, we accepted the Irene Miller Vigilance in Journalism Award for our coverage of consolidation — making us the first student journalists ever to receive the award since its inception more than 20 years ago.
Student involvement has been a historic struggle for our predominantly commuter-based campus. But that shouldn’t be the case for our newspaper.
We meet at 5 p.m. every Monday in Student Life Center 2400, and we welcome students from all majors who are willing to learn the journalistic style of writing — graduate students included.
Graduation will approach sooner than you think. What will you have to show for your time here?
Applications for editor-in-chief and all other staff positions can be found online at https://crowsneststpete.com/employment/. Pay rates and job descriptions are listed on each application. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. on Friday, March 13.
