As the year comes to an end, it’s time for me to pass the torch as editor-in-chief to the next class. Considering I started my journalism journey sophomore year, being editor-in-chief my senior year was a very rewarding and challenging experience. I got to edit all my peers’ work, lead brainstorming sessions, and manage the layout of the paper.
I am so excited to see what Lola and Maya do next year with the paper and am confident that they will be great editors-in-chief. That being said, there is definitely some advice that I have for the rising editors based on what I learned this year.
To start, it’s extremely important to know the ins and outs of all the applications including Adobe Indesign, Mailchimp, and the Northern Star website. Oftentimes, editors will come to you with questions on how to post articles, edit the colors and links on the website, put pictures into the layout, fix the text boxes, and put articles into the Mailchimp newsletter. Although these all seem like “add-ons” to an editor-in-chief job, they really make or break your experience and relationships with fellow editors. Editors see you as the “higher up” to go to for advice, which is really important to keep in mind.
Additionally, you guys need to be confident in taking leadership of the class. Oftentimes, if staff writers and editors were getting sidetracked, I had to ask Ms.Miano if I could speak to the whole class. Your editors respect you as your “bosses” and sometimes you need to take charge in making sure everything is on track and meeting deadlines. This leadership aspect will also play into demonstrations that you will have to do in front of the class. Next year, you will have to project the layout to the class and show the staff writers how to plug in their articles into indesign. It’s important to practice your public speaking skills when doing those demos.
Lastly, be fully present during the duration of your roles as editors in chiefs. This year really flew by, and I wish I could go back and do it all over again. It felt like yesterday that I was introducing myself as the Editor-in-chief, so my biggest advice for next year would be to be grateful in the moment and have fun! This is a special role that not many get the opportunity to take, so enjoy every moment of this class.
