Editor & Publisher

Jasmine Aguilera, 29

Staff Writer, TIME Magazine Education: Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies with concentrations in communication, anthropology and sociology, University of Texas at El Paso

What advice do you have for other young professionals in the news industry?

I remember that everything I do serves the story and the reader. They are number one. This sounds like obvious advice, but I’ve come to think of this as more of a muscle you develop the longer you report, and working this muscle has helped me grow as a journalist and a newsroom colleague. When the story and the reader are your priority, it’s easier to pinpoint the specific questions that need answering and visualize what your story will look like while you’re reporting. It serves as a reminder of your role when interviewing public officials or working with publicists. You benefit personally, too. You become excited to work collaboratively with other reporters because you know the story will be strengthened by it, and it helps you set aside your ego when you feel like you’ve been slighted (which isn’t uncommon when you’re a young reporter).

Another piece of advice: It’s okay to value your own privacy and personal life as much as you value being a journalist. It’s easy as a young person with a lot to prove to get swept up by this industry, but don’t neglect your loved ones, hobbies, or anything else that brings you happiness. I’ve learned that it’s healthy to maintain a level of separation between what you do for a living and who you are as a person.

What is the most useful reporting skill you’ve learned on the job?

I’ve learned so many skills on the job, but meticulous note-taking is possibly the most useful. Our phones are powerful, but I’ve never found them to be handier than pen and paper. I write everything down, the colors of people’s shirts, the weather and temperature, odd noises, the number of folks around me — all details that service the fact-checking process, no matter how mundane they may seem in the moment. They help when dealing with writer’s block, because I can always go back through my very long notes and find a detail that maybe didn’t seem that useful at the time but could now help me transition from one section to the next. And those notes can become a treasure trove of story ideas to explore, especially when you know you want to continue the line of reporting.

If I may, another valuable skill I’ve learned is to be a good listener. I listen closely and with my full attention when I’m interviewing sources, but also when I listen to fellow reporters and editors. We have fascinating jobs, and I’m always eager to learn from my peers and people who have been doing the work longer than I have.

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2023-02-01T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-02-01T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://editorandpublisher.pressreader.com/article/281878712513307

Editor and Publisher