A Tennessean editor gave advice to future journalists at Lipscomb University’s Journalism Camp Monday.
Knight Stivender, senior editor, digital, informed the campers on the proper ways to use social media to prepare for a future career in journalism. Facebook, Twitter, and Google Profiles can manifest a person’s appealing qualities; however, since employers search prospective employees online, social networking should not be abused.
“I would be classy – just classy, not with a ‘k,’” she said about Facebook profiles. “If you’re so inclined to have a dual personality, the one thing you could do is have a Facebook fan page for your classy with a ‘c,’ and a Facebook personal page for you classy with a ‘k.’ You could do both.”
Knight said that to ensure a successful career, young writers should familiarize themselves with professional journalists and reporters through social networks by following them on Twitter or commenting on their Facebook fan page.
“You’ve made some contacts, you’ve built some connections, you really need to showcase your work,” Knight said.
After a writer has collected all of his or her work, whether it is videos, photos, or stories, the writer needs to save and share it. Once the work is published, others can comment and review on it, which improves the writer.
Stivender stressed to write, report, and dig for interesting stories. She emphasized the importance of writing daily in a journal or a blog.
“I never just blog,” she said. “I will journal constantly, like every day, multiple times a day. The more I do it, the more my thoughts crystalize.”
Stivender left the campers with a new perspective on journalism and a new approach on writing.
“Be authentic; be real,” she said. “Don’t worry about what other people think.”
White Station High School’s Paige Mandelman, Caroline Gillenson, Meredith Simmons and Caroline Gamble contributed to this story.