Advertiser meets with aspiring journalists
Rick Harmon and Jill Nolin of Montgomery Advertiser
Mackenzie Grant
Winter Springs High School
Winter Springs, FL
Lunchtime on Thursday at Montgomery Visitor’s Center was accompanied by mentors and aspiring journalists. Members of the Montgomery Advertiser spoke to Auburn University Journalism Workshop students from around the country about the ever-changing face of journalism.
The meeting began with Executive Editor Wanda Lloyd introducing the Montgomery Advertiser’s various publications, which included, but wasn’t limited to a daily paper, magazine, and community paper. She introduced her colleagues whose primary purpose was to assist young reporters in preserving journalism.
Jill Nolin, the Advertiser’s municipal government reporter gave the students tips on incorporating technology into journalism, specifically Twitter. Nolin said she believes in the power of social networking and even though the South took longer to catch on, it is becoming a resourceful tool she uses everyday.
Nolin’s advice regarding being a good reporter is to focus on building relationships.
“The most important job of a journalist is to build relationships with your source and subjects. It helps them to have confidence in you and your work,” Nolin said.
Photographer Amanda Sowards illustrated how to create photogenic moment in unexpected scenes. Her most memorable job was on a story following prostitutes. A local pastor who was assisting the women in finding better lives for themselves accompanied Sowards and Nolin in their search.
“We can say we’ve been cruising for prostitutes,” Nolin laughed.
The staff also noted the excitement and challenges the world of journalism brings. Matt Okarmus, a first year crime reporter notes his most difficult obstacle in transitioning from college to the real world was meeting short deadlines.
“I sometime have two hours to crank out a story. I wasn’t used to that,” said Okarmus.
Winter Springs High School
Winter Springs, FL
Lunchtime on Thursday at Montgomery Visitor’s Center was accompanied by mentors and aspiring journalists. Members of the Montgomery Advertiser spoke to Auburn University Journalism Workshop students from around the country about the ever-changing face of journalism.
The meeting began with Executive Editor Wanda Lloyd introducing the Montgomery Advertiser’s various publications, which included, but wasn’t limited to a daily paper, magazine, and community paper. She introduced her colleagues whose primary purpose was to assist young reporters in preserving journalism.
Jill Nolin, the Advertiser’s municipal government reporter gave the students tips on incorporating technology into journalism, specifically Twitter. Nolin said she believes in the power of social networking and even though the South took longer to catch on, it is becoming a resourceful tool she uses everyday.
Nolin’s advice regarding being a good reporter is to focus on building relationships.
“The most important job of a journalist is to build relationships with your source and subjects. It helps them to have confidence in you and your work,” Nolin said.
Photographer Amanda Sowards illustrated how to create photogenic moment in unexpected scenes. Her most memorable job was on a story following prostitutes. A local pastor who was assisting the women in finding better lives for themselves accompanied Sowards and Nolin in their search.
“We can say we’ve been cruising for prostitutes,” Nolin laughed.
The staff also noted the excitement and challenges the world of journalism brings. Matt Okarmus, a first year crime reporter notes his most difficult obstacle in transitioning from college to the real world was meeting short deadlines.
“I sometime have two hours to crank out a story. I wasn’t used to that,” said Okarmus.