Office: College Communications
Position: Student Editorial Assistant for the Voice
Major: Spanish
What do you do in this position?
I either get assigned an article to write, or I pitch an idea to Kayla, my supervisor. I’ve written articles on a lot of different topics; it can be a description of an event or program at Carleton, or a profile on a student’s research or athletic achievement. Usually I start by gathering information, either researching a topic or conducting interviews, and then I write a short piece to go in the magazine. I also edit the class notes and obituary sections of the Voice.
How did you get your position?
I saw a post on the Class of 2018 Facebook page about job openings for students in the College Communications Office. I emailed Jaye Lawrence to tell her why I was interested in the student writer position, and I sent in a couple of writing samples.
What new skills have you acquired?
I’ve learned to write much more clearly and concisely, though it can be tricky to adhere to the word limit, while trying to pack in as much information as possible. I’ve also learned how to be a better interviewer. Kayla gave me some good advice, which was that if you want people to give engaging answers, ask questions that get at emotion rather than simply facts. For example, instead of asking “Why did you do your comps project on black holes?” I might ask, “What do you think is the most exciting thing about black holes?”. In addition to making my interviews more interesting, this tip has actually helped me have deeper, more interesting conversations with my friends, too.
How will your student employment experience help you in your future?
For almost any career that I choose, it will be important to communicate clearly, whether verbally or in writing. People’s time and attention will always be finite resources, so making a point as efficiently as clearly as possible is a big advantage.
What type of person do you feel is best suited for this position?
Someone who loves Carleton would do well in this job. The purpose of the alumni magazine is, at least in part, to make people proud of the school. Being genuinely interested in a variety of different topics is also important, because genuine interest comes across both in interviews and in the final written article.
What do you like best about your student employment position?
I’ve had great conversations through interviews that I’ve conducted. I like knowing what Carleton people are doing on campus and off, whether it’s research, traveling, volunteering, organizing an event or playing in a band. I enjoy getting to write about all the cool things happening in the Carleton.