>Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:27:21 -0700 (PDT)
>From: NAME WITHHELD
>Subject: Re:
>To: ebond@ithaca.edu
>
> My apologies Mr. Bond. Thank-You so much for this.
> Even though I am still attending High School, I as
> well am a very busy young lady. Email will be fine
> for me, if only that is alright with you Sir. The
> things I wanted to ask was what inspired you to
> become a full-time professor? Did you always know
> you wanted to write? I will not lie, it has amazed
> me that you use to be a writer for the Star-Gazette
> in Elmira, Asbury Park Press, Indianapolis Star and
> the Los Angeles Times! What was that like? Were you
> able to write any and everything you wanted? What
> key tips can you share with me that will help me get
> to my goal of being a journalist? Once again I
> Thank-you for your time and consideration.
>
From: "ebond@ithaca.edu"
To: NAME WITHHELD
Sent: Thu, April 22, 2010 10:01:51 PM
Subject: Re:
I became a journalist because I loved newspapers and I loved writing. I grew up with newspapers. I had a paper route as a kid, and I always read the comics first. Later on, I started reading the front page more and more.
I was drawn to the energy and fun of newspapers. I loved the deadline driven world. At 18, I used to cover city council and school board meetings in N.J., and I loved the adrenalin rush of making deadline.
I got to write all sorts of stories, met all sorts of people and learned a lot about all sorts of topics. The fun of working for a newspaper was that you never knew what the day would bring. One day it might be a teacher's strike, the next might be an interview with a famous scientist, the next might be a close encounter with a celebrity.
I didn't get to write every story I wanted to, but I'd say about 90 percent of the stories I wrote, I came up with on my own.
I got into teaching because I was once invited to speak to a high school class in Corning N.Y., and then I was invited back. Later on, when I was working at the L.A Times, I met a journalism professor at a community college in Los Angeles. I spoke to her class, and that started me on the path to being a professor myself. I would eventually replace that teacher in her job.
What I discovered was that I enjoyed standing in front a group of young people, eager to learn, and talk about why journalists do what we do. We are trying to improve the world, in a way, by giving people the news and information that they need to make decisions they will make. We don't make those decisions for people, we don't advocate for a cause, but we try to show people all sides of an issue. It's a role that is not always appreciated.
As to advice about becoming a journalist, the first piece of advice is to read: newspapers, magazines, books. Be familiar with the written word. Take an interest in the issues in the world. Get educated on the issues.
Secondly, you should know that the world of journalism that I entered years ago is very different from the world that you may enter. Newspapers are dying, unfortunately, but journalism is still going strong. It's now become multimedia. Reporters need to be able to not only write stories but to shoot pictures, shoot video, edit these materials and get them on the Web.
So, I would recommend you find ways to give yourself as much practice with these as possible. Join the student newspaper, take classes in technology, start your own blog. Learn how the world of media works today.
Well, I'd say that's it in a nutshell. I hope this helps you in your pursuits.
Good luck,
Ed Bond
www.edbond.com
