Journalism is a part of everyday life, whether it be a morning read of the newspaper, a lunchtime checking of social media on smartphones or watching videos right before bed.
Maria De Varenne, executive editor and vice president of news at The Tennessean, spoke to communication and journalism students about the professional world and the importance of work ethic at the second annual Media Masters event Monday, Nov. 1,1 at the Ezell Center.
A longtime print publication, The Tennessean has adapted to the digital age, serving consumers based on when, how and where they want news and information.
“While many people think print is dead, we don’t think they’re right,” De Varenne said. “For the past few years, we also deliver our stories, photos and other content on digital platforms. We deliver more local news and information than any other source in the market.”
Since several news outlets also deliver news on digital media, what makes The Tennessean stand out?
“Watchdog journalism and community leadership,” De Varenne said. “We not only have the area’s largest news staff, but we dedicate the most time, space and attention to local issues.”
Watchdog journalism, or investigative journalism, has won The Tennessean several awards in the past. The publication was a Pulitzer finalist for their coverage of the 2010 Nashville flood.
With her current success with The Tennessean (over 900,000 weekly readers), it would be almost impossible to believe that De Varenne didn’t initially plan on a career in journalism.
“I had a music scholarship in college, and I took art classes,” De Varenne said. “I signed up for an intro to journalism class, and I got hooked. My first reporting job was at my college newspaper. I learned what a deadline was.”
After graduation, De Varenne moved on to bigger news publications in Florida, Texas, California and Pennsylvania.
“At 23, I was in Daytona Beach as a general assignment reporter covering spring break and the Daytona 500,” De Varenne said. “I learned quickly that it wasn’t always glamorous, and it wasn’t always fun.”
Through perseverance and hard work, De Varenne was able to impress her editors and move up the journalism ladder.
“I had to fill in on a cop shift one day, and my editor sent me out by myself to go door to door in a rough neighborhood to get comments about a man who had been shot. I was scared, but I came back with some great quotes about the dead man and a description of what the neighborhood looked like, and he liked my work, so I got a veteran assignment the next day.”
In the end, De Varenne said good work ethic and long hours were two things that pushed her to the top.
“I was lucky to work with some grizzled veterans along the way who helped me and gave me advice,” De Varenne said. “In Texas, I learned that there was no job too big or too small that you could be asked to do.
“In California, I had editors who believed in me.”
Her mentors on the West Coast threw many tasks her way, and, to De Varenne, it was her knack for the job that made her successful.
“A lot of that is because of the work ethic I had,” De Varenne said. “I didn’t complain, and I did what I was asked.”
De Varenne handed out a few tips for young journalists in attendance.
“A good journalist is honest and trustworthy, curious and relentless about double checking facts,” De Varenne said. “Those characteristics haven’t changed in our technology transformation.
“They’re actually even more important. It’s so easy to get information out now digitally. Just because you’re first doesn’t mean it’s right. Make sure your facts are right,” she said.
Once any information is out on social media, it is permanent, De Varenne said. Failure to check facts could lead to misinformation and loss of validity as a news source.
De Varenne also shared more tips about social media.
“Don’t do anything or post anything on social media that you wouldn’t want on Google for the rest of your life,” De Varenne said. “If it’s out on social media, we’ll be able to find it. That’s what we do when we check job applications. Social media leaves a lasting digital imprint of everything you do in your life, and it says a lot about who you are as a person.”
To De Varenne, joining any profession requires a love for the tasks ahead.
“Never take a job for the money,” De Varenne said. “Take a job because you think you can add value, or if you think you can make a difference. If you work hard and contribute to the team, people will reward you and take care of you.”