Last Day in the Office

This blog post is from Tuesday, May 28th:

I just entered the office and work on the newsletter is quickly beginning. I also received wonderful feedback from my sponsor on my recent article on the Waldorf school. As my second article for the newspaper, I am excited to see what response it receives.

Currently I am revising my article and updating it based on the feedback I received from my sponsor. After I am done, I will submit it to the member center, where it will then be reviewed by the editor and changes may be made.

On a different note, the newsletter usually takes a few steps to complete and several hands on board. My job tends to involve updating the calender, news and Need to Know sections of the newsletter. Keep an eye out for the electronic newsletter in your e-mail!

Friday!

With one week until Graduation and my last official day of Senior Project on Tuesday, I am very excited to begin this next chapter of my life. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have been given throughout my experience at the Heights Observer. I am very close to finishing my current article on the Waldorf school opening Cleveland Heights. 

Working from Home on a Wednesday

After a long and tough day at the office yesterday working on the weekly newsletter, I left at the end of the day with a feeling of completion. All tasks that I have been given at the Observer have been wonderful experiences. Getting the opportunity to test out what I was considering as my major is a great way to see if it is really what you want to do.

And SURPRISE! It is not. After working on the paper as an intern and journalist, I have come to realize that my second-guessing was valid. I am so grateful for this opportunity, but I am figuring out that journalism is just not for me.

On another note...

Today I am going to continue work on the upcoming Urban Oak School from Waldorf that will be built in Cleveland Heights. I will keep my blog updated on my progress with the article!

Tuesday Newsletter

Busy day ahead! Soon I will be heading into the office and today we are going to begin working on the weekly newsletter that is emailed to all Heights Observer members. Unlike most Tuesdays, today is just going to be myself and my sponsor! But I think we will be able to knock it out.

I took my first stab at writing an article and of course I am looking forward to receiving feedback and constructive criticism! Today I will be sitting down with my sponsor do discuss what I could do better and what I need to change. I think it is very important to get feedback and ideas, especially since I am not experienced. I am enjoying this experience so much and cannot wait to see what I take from this internship.

Will one week left on the job, I am still working on two articles and putting the finishing touches on another. Keep an eye out for my articles in the June and July issues!

1:08 p.m.
After a long day at the office, one question is fluttering about my mind.

Do I want to be a Journalist?

Easy answer. No. Whether the next question is, have I been enjoying my senior project at the Heights Observer? Also an easy answer. Yes I have.

My sponsor is wonderful and very helpful, however, it coming clearly that the job just isn't for me. I love the going, going, going lifestyle. Life at a newspaper just is not like that. When working on a story, it involves A LOT of waiting. I am very impatient so the two do not mix well.

This is all good to know though!

Week Three!

With my end date fast approaching, I am finding my senior project to have been a wonderful experience. With such a wonderful sponsor and the opportunity to work on several different projects, I feel as if I will walk away from this with appreciation and understanding for what goes on behind the scenes of a newspaper.

I first chose the Heights Observer for my senior project because of my interest in journalism and my deep love for Cleveland Heights. Because I grew up here since birth, I have learned to love the city, the people and it's charm for more than what it is. Cleveland Heights is not like any other city. It is unique in it's acceptance and welcoming feel, presenting a small town feel while continuing to house a large population. I am so grateful for the place I grew up and hope to someday bring my family back here, if not even live here.

Enough though with the sappiness, I finally was able to get the interview with Waldorf. The head of the school's development went above and beyond with her responses. I am enjoying every bit of writing this article because of it's great detail. I cannot wait to see the finished product of both my article AND the school. Must get to work!

End of Week Two.

I cannot believe how fast these last few weeks of school are moving! My senior project is already 2/3 through and I am only two weeks from Graduation. Life is moving fast, but I am so ready for the next chapter of my life.

I have been trying to get in contact with a local school that I hope to do an article on for an upcoming issue of the Heights Observer. Boy! The technology is not working with us. First, our schedules were too conflicting to get in touch with each other over the phone, since meeting in person was out of the question (She is a very busy woman, hard to reach. She has a full-time job on top of the school development. And she is a mother!). We then decided to just do the interview over e-mail, but the internet is not cooperating! When she would send me her response, the e-mail would bounce back despite having the correct e-mail. Facebook became our next method. But strangely, the message still didn't come through over direct message. What is going on? Well hopefully I can get the responses soon. Wish me luck.

Is it Thursday Already??

Busy day yesterday! Yesterday was deadline day and my first article was due. Luckily, I was able to finish! Keep an eye out for an article on local actress Sabrina McPherson in the upcoming June issue.

So far, Senior Project is going great! I am having so much fun and am finding the job enjoyable and challenging. I look forward to working on my next article! Hoping to hear from the Waldorf school sometime today.

Tuesday Here in the Office

When I arrived at the office around 9a.m. on this chilly day, work quickly began on the weekly e-newsletter. I began work on the Calender and submitting new events that will later be added to the calender.

Two days into my second week on senior project, time is flying by and my stories are really beginning to develop. I hope to hear from Amy Marquit Renwald today and get a wonderful interview from her about the upcoming Waldorf School that is hoped to be open this fall somewhere in Cleveland Heights. I am enjoying my work here so far and find my sponsor to be very helpful and extremely welcoming. I am looking forward to the end of my senior project in anticipation of seeing the work that I hope to complete. Having my writing published in the June issue of the Heights Observer is very exciting and will be a good experience that I can reflect on. Happy tuesday everyone!

Week Two- Where is the Sunshine?

On Friday I was pleased to meet with local actress, Sabrina McPherson, and enjoyed a wonderful interview with the young woman. Not only was she very nice, greeted me with a hug, but she was very excited about the interest we had in her work and the fact that she was from Cleveland Heights.

I am looking forward to beginning work on the article based around her interview today and also I look forward to getting in contact with Amy Marquit Renwald from the Waldorf school. The school is going to be opened in Cleveland Heights and more information is to come! Look out for both articles in the upcoming June issue of the Heights Observer.

Rainy Weather- Day 5

The rain is pouring but there is still plenty of work to get done. Tonight is my first personal interview with actress Sabrina McPherson at my personal favorite local coffee shop, Phoenix Coffee. I have questions already prepared and look forward to getting to know this young up-and-coming actress. So far, she seems like a wonderful person!

I have especially been enjoying blogging throughout my project and with one week down, I cannot wait to see what I have after three weeks. Next week I will be attending a local school's "Hike for Hunger" charity event and interviewing participants for the upcoming article. Next week is going to be a blast and projects are going to really start moving.

6:58 p.m.
Awaiting Ms. McPherson. Excited for my very first interview for a legitimate paper. Will keep you up to date!

Enjoying the Sunshine- Day 4

With a beautiful day and a ton of work to do, I thought it would be a wonderful idea to perch out on the deck and enjoy the sunshine. With one interview underway, I am enjoying learning about what goes into Journalism. Yesterday I was given the guidelines on writing an article for a local newspaper and was given the challenge of deciding if an article qualified as local. After reading up on the guidelines, I decided that the article was in no way beneficial to the paper and did not fit the guidelines. Today I am waiting to interview the "big head" of a local school that is hopefully opening in the fall. A Globally known Waldorf school, the group is hoping to open in Cleveland Heights at an undecided location. I am excited to learn more about the school and what it is hoped to come from this learning establishment.

Currently I am continuing to keep up on the news, current events and local news, as another part of my project. I hope to build a better understanding of what is happening outside of Cleveland Heights and understand the politics of these situations that occur.

Phoenix Coffee for the win.

Today I am working independently on several assignments in the local coffee shop.

10 a.m.
Arrived at Phoenix coffee and began work on my agenda. Eight tasks on the list and ready to begin my work.

10:37 a.m.
Did research on a local development of a school being opened in the neighborhood soon. Wrote out a few questions that I hope to ask a representative from the school and complete an article on them. Currently, I am working on questions that I will ask in my interview with local actress, Sabrina McPherson. I will be meeting with her on Friday and asking her several questions about her career and what lead her to this path.

10:58
Throughout my senior project, I am also going to become aware of local and worldwide news. I hope to keep up on current events and do a lot of independent research, getting a taste of what being a Journalist in like. At the moment, I am debating between Journalism and Graphic Design. This project will hopefully give me a little insight! Who knows, maybe Journalism will be a hobby. Blogging could become my side job.

11:17 a.m.
Completed my questions for the interview with Sabrina McPherson. I am getting excited to meet her and get to know all about her career and future projects. Got approvals from my sponsor, Deanna, and my questions are all set to go.

Day Two in the Office

9 a.m.
Just arrived at the office and already the news is buzzing. Several stories are already being followed and interviews are underway. With so much news brewing in the media, the team here at Heights Observer is preparing to write the weekly news letter. Looking forward to getting to see how everything comes together.

10:15 a.m.
Just given an assignment relating to the online newsletter and looking forward to begin work! I am currently being introduced to the software used to create the newsletter and getting to know my fellow intern.

11:17 a.m.
Work in the office is slow and involves a lot of waiting around for information to flow in and articles to be submitted. I spent the last hour filling in the template for the weekly newsletter and found that interesting, though the work was repetitive, it was actually rather fun. I am learning how to use the software here and managing two computers at once. Two days down and thirteen more to go, I think this will be a wonderful and rewarding senior project.

First Day in the Office

Today is my first day in the office at the Heights Observer, a local newspaper in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. I am an intern/journalist, completing three weeks of work for my Senior Project. Already I have received several assignments, set up a few interviews and set up two different blogs to document my experiences and assignments. I am excited for the next three weeks, learning all about what goes into being a Journalist and getting to publish some of my own works.