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Posted by Lindsey Mastis on September 11, 2008 at 9:29 PM
The Online News Association held their conference in DC this weekend. It filled up fast, so I was only able to go to the career fair. Even so, I learned a lot about why it may be best to specialize in the web than on the air. Who was there? People from The Associated Press, the Congressional Quarterly, New York Times, NPR and Gannett. Even though some of these companies are downsizing, they are hiring for the web. Here are some of the main points:
- Be Flexible: I talked with Reginald Stuart, (The McClatchy Company), and Sheila Solomon, (Chicago Tribune), during the discussion session. Most journalists were worried about layoffs. Stuart and Solomon say the ones who get hired or are keep their jobs during rough times are those willing to learn something new, work different shifts, and take on additional work– without complaining!
- Stay Busy (with journalism) While Out of Work: Okay, most of us can’t do a fellowship or afford to travel abroad, but there was some other valuable advice. Working with high school journalism students is one way to stay connected. Freelancing for a former employer is another. There are tons of volunteer opportunities that can help us out-of-workers stay connected. In DC, there’s even the Newseum.
- Know AP style: Yep! Even if you don’t work for AP and are in the broadcast industry, you need to know AP style. (Luckily, I majored in journalism and passed classes based solely on AP style. But many professionals in the broadcast industry bypassed these classes.) One woman I met said she was told to redo her resume in AP style and come back the next day. Ouch!
Overall, the conference was extremely helpful. Even with all the talk of layoffs, downsizing, and the plummeting economy, I felt confident. I have a newspaper background, broadcast experience, and a love for the web. All I need now, is a job in DC.
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Posted by Lindsey Mastis on September 3, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Many young journalists would work hard at their classes, or at classes and campus media, and would be satisfied with their preparation for the “real world.” Not Lindsey Mastis. Lindsey avidly networked while still at student at Southern Illinois University/Carbondale, snaring three great internships. And once she talked her way into the WSIL-TV newsroom during her final months at SIU, she worked her way up the ladder from fill-in to anchor/reporter the old-fashioned way — through hard work. She perfected her writing style, worked hard to make and maintain the contacts that broke stories and showed versatility in doing everything asked of her, from breaking spot news live to the features that have people buzzing at the water cooler. She is naturally vivacious, with an appeal that will attract viewers. Lindsey’s time is coming in a big market — soon. Those who hire her will feel fortunate that they did so.
– Bob Roberts, WBBM reporter, Illinois News Broadcasters Association Past President
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Posted by Lindsey Mastis on September 3, 2008 at 8:05 PM
I had the pleasure of working with Lindsey at WSIL, an ABC affiliate and WSIU, a PBS member station and from the very beginning she wowed all of us with her drive and energy for delivering the stories that meant the most to viewers. Lindsey’s passion for investigative news inspired me, and others around her, to delve deeper into our own beats, uncovering the rich details I saw many of our competitors leaving out. She’s the real deal and I am more than happy to speak of her accomplishments, her tenacity and her vibrant spirit. I would work with Lindsey again in a heartbeat, and I know she will go far in this business.
– Wyatt Wallace, former WSIU and WSIL employee
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Posted by Lindsey Mastis on September 1, 2008 at 8:55 PM
“I have known Lindsey since she was a college student. Even then, it was quite apparent that she would be a success – both in life, and in journalism. Lindsey gets it. She didn’t become a journalist just so she could be on the “teevee.” She became a journalist so she could tell stories. Inform. Enlighten. And, it did not take her long to achieve those goals.
When I left Illinois for New York, Lindsey became chair of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association’s “Cams and Mics” committee – taking on the thankless (some would say impossible in Illinois) task of trying to open up the state courts to electronic media coverage. She attacked this new responsibility with great enthusiasm. And, she did her homework. I was very impressed with her efforts.
It has been a pleasure to watch Lindsey Mastis grow, and I proudly recommend her to potential employers in the field of broadcast journalism. I believe she would be an asset to any operation.
(This recommendation is mine personally, and not that of my employer or any other affiliated organization)”
-Steve Scott, WCBS Newsradio 880, Past President, Illinois News Broadcasters Association
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Posted by Lindsey Mastis on August 19, 2008 at 10:54 AM
I think we all know a cancer survivor. But there are still those who fall victim to cancer. Leroy Sievers passed away a few days ago. I knew him briefly while I was an intern at Nightline. He was the executive producer of the show, and responsible for many of its landmark specials, including one devoted to honoring soldiers who died in the war. It’s a program I was never able to see. The Sinclair Broadcast Group refused to show it on KDNL in St. Louis.
Leroy knew war. He witnessed it in Rawanda, Kosovo, and South America. But the war with cancer is one he knew even more personally. And he understood what others with cancer were going through. He wrote about it every day in his blog, “My Cancer.” He also talked about his struggle on NPR and was featured in a piece for the Discovery Channel.
It’s been four years since I’ve seen Leroy. The last time was in the Nightline offices. I asked to sit next to him for a while; watch him work, and ask him questions. The network wanted to change Nightline; do things to it any journalist would object to. Leroy said, “No.” He took the high road– something so many of us are too afraid to do. He left Nightline. It was a sad day.
But his greatest work was yet to come. From reading his posts, and from what others have wrote– “My Cancer” was his gift. I used to read the blog every day. It became too hard– too emotional for me– once my Yia Yia, [Greek for grandma], developed lung cancer.
Leroy had wrote several times about the moment he found out about his brain cancer. I think it’s the same for any family. It’s a day you don’t forget. When you look back on it, it’s like reliving the horrible moment over and over. I’ll never forget the first time I found out my mom had bread cancer. Or the second time. Or when my Yia Yia was diagnosed. And now, my uncle lays in a hospital bed recovering from his first surgery for cancer. Sadly, those moments are going to come again and again.
Leroy has written about his cancer for more than two years. I’m reading his blog again. This time, backwards. It’s hard. Even harder for his family. I’m not sure what to make of the posts written just days before he passed. He sounded happy. I only hope Leroy’s blog forever remains online. So we can all read it, even though he’s gone. Leroy’s and his friends and family struggled with his cancer. They are struggles we will all have to face.
If you are unfamiliar with his blog, please take the time to read just a few posts. And take a look at some of the stories about Leroy’s life. Here are the links:
Leroy Sievers’ “My Cancer” Blog: http://www.npr.org/blogs/mycancer/
NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92028479
Leroy Sievers on Discovery: http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/koppel/highlights/highlights-03.html
Nightline: http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=5197492&page=1
Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/18/AR2008081802190.html?referrer=emailarticle
Associated Press: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hw9PE4T3F6n6-a5Btb9U6dTzgraQD92K7DCO6
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