Learning the Trade

It was standing room only on Thursday, March 15 as St. Ambrose University offered a journalism workshop for aspiring writers from local colleges in The Buzz office. The workshop featured reporters from the Quad-City Times and headed by Mark Ridolfi, opinion editor.

Ann McGlynn, health reporter, gave a 15-minute speech on tips and techniques she has picked up over the years. The main point of McGlynn’s speech was to never leave an interview without knowing what your lead for your story will be.

Following McGlynn’s speech, participants had to choose between four forums: opinion writing with Barb Ickes, special projects/multi-part stories with Sheena Dooley, photography with John Schultz and headline writing with Ridolfi.

“It’s important to speak to journalism students because they are our future. We are developing folks to carry on the tradition,” Ridolfi said. “Student journalism at the basics is the same as what we do. The differences lie in the skill level, but most young journalists balance that out with enthusiasm.”

The Buzz office was filled with not only journalism students from SAU, but Augustana sent three people and Black Hawk College also sent two representatives.

“Last semester Augustana hosted a similar event. We wanted to strengthen the inter-collegiate bonds between the journalism programs and give students a chance to ask ‘real’ reporters questions. Journalism is a craft best learned by experience and it’s valuable to discuss methods and theories with veterans of the profession,” says Christine Mastalio, editor-in-chief of The Buzz.

Katie Voelliger, news editor of The Buzz agrees.

“I learned so much valuable information and concepts were brought to my attention that I never have thought of before. The only thing I didn’t like was the shortness on time. I felt time went by way too quickly, but I guess that happens when you’re learning and having fun!”

Ridolfi also commented on what current graduates currently lack when they leave school.

“They lack a breadth of understanding and a level of confidence to ask the hard questions. They lack life experience and the ability to pursue with the questions they want answered and not get waylaid by the person that they are interviewing.”

No further workshops are scheduled for this academic year.