inc.
internships. news. commentary.
a publication of the Ohio University
Society of Professional Journalists.
Vol. 7 April 21, 2009.
its a great resume builder.
Prof. Carry Frith to lead resume workshop.
story Cameron Glover art
There is one document, one piece of paper,
that can make or break your access to your ca-
reer field. It has rules, sections, lists and type. It
has to be creative but simple. It has to be infor-
mative but concise. It has to be all about you. It
is your résumé.
Creating your résumé can be a tedious and
tricky task. Luckily, SPJ faculty advisor Cary
Frith will be providing a workshop tonight in
Scripps Hall highlighting some of the important
factors to remember when it comes to writing
résumés.
“I will be stressing the importance of a profes-
sional, clean design for résumés, as well as pro-
viding tips for marketing yourselves effectively
and standing out from the crowd,” she said.
According to Frith, students tend to get in the
habit of listing job experiences and responsibili-
ties, but they should be focused on drawing at-
tention to accomplishments met through those
experiences. She also worries that there can be
confusion between the roles of résumés and cov-
er letters, which have the purpose of introducing
your personality and explaining why your skills
would match well with a certain company.
The basic parts of the résumé can include
educational background, job experience, activi-
ties, awards and honors, skills and references.
Including an objective can be left up to you, al-
inside inc.
society news. pg 2.
internships. pg 3.
commentary. pg 4.
special report. pg 5.
Ian Bowman-Henderson
though it is probably not necessary if the résumé
is sent with a cover letter. It should only be one
page and use the same fonts and sizes, except
when accentuating the head and titles.
When working on making your résumé
unique, Frith suggests playing around with white
space and fonts, which should be consistent. “A
well-designed résumé with a hint of color can
be an effective way to catch a prospective em-
ployer’s attention,” she said. She also stresses
the significance of proofreading your document
to make sure it is “flawless” in terms of spelling
and grammatical errors.
Tina Stewart completely agrees with Frith’s
sentiment. As the alumni and internship coordi-
nator for the Scripps School of Communication
Studies, she examines students’ résumés on a
daily basis.
“When I see a spelling error or a little glitch,
it stops me,” she said. She urges students to try
and learn how to have a strong attention to detail
in order to catch those little mistakes. “You have
to have that to get in the door,” she said.
Stewart also encourages students to think
about the industry, the company and the spe-
cific person that will be reviewing your docu-
ments because that can and will have an effect
next meeting
tuesday. 5:00.
scripps 116
Prof. Frith
presents:
a Resume
Workshop
on how you choose to write them. However, as
much as the purposes of the documents are to
impress the employer, it is also about you and
your accomplishments. Don’t be afraid to flatter
yourself. Stewart suggests starting by making a
list of all activities that you have participated in
and awards that you have earned, and then go
through that list and limit it in order for them to
fit one page.
She also advised students, especially fresh-
man, to get involved on campus immediately in
order to have a full list of items to include that
will impress potential employers.
According to a handout arranged by Wendy
Zang, who came to speak in late February for
the Ohio University Super Saturday event, gain-
ing such experience is a must. Zang’s handout
was a compilation of advice from newspaper
professional. One professional said:
“In this job market, you’re going to be com-
peting against a lot of experienced journalists so
you need to learn everything you can to stand
out,” Debra Leithauser said from The Washing-
ton Post.
Other professionals agreed that versatility,
and multi-media skills especially, are highly
sought after in today’s market.
One of the last things to remember when cre-
ating your résumé is that employers will use
it as a source of reference for questions to ask
you during an interview for an internship or job.
Therefore, you must be able to talk about things
on your résumé. A unique way to do so is to
think of a specific and memorable anecdote that
explains and compliments each item you have
listed. Employers will definitely remember your
stories.
Although there are many guidelines and tips
to remember when writing your résumé, try to
stick to who you are. Being yourself is the best
way to show your creativity while proving that
you are the best candidate for the position.
 inc.
internships. news. commentary.

society news..
a scientist of the Times.
Andrew Revkin talks science journalism.
story Emma Morehart photo Emma Morehart
Every week the Society of Professional Journalists brings in an industry professional
to speak at our meetings. Sometimes, if we’re lucky, they stick around to answer a few
questions. This week’s guest is New York Times environmental reporter, adventurer
and Dot Earth blogger Andrew Revkin.
Inc.: The first question is that I know you got here? What is your goal?
your degree in biology, but was your original Revkin: … I would like more people to ex-
plan to be a journalist also? plore Dot Earth (http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.
Andrew Revkin: No, I wanted to be a ma- com/). I still get the feeling that there is an awful
rine biologist, I grew up in Rhode Island, and lot of people out there who could benefit from
when I got out of Brown with a biology degree I this way of looking at the world. So that’s the
won a fellowship to go study overseas for a year. main thing.
It was sort of anthropology, and anthropology Inc.: So, how do you balance not only being
and journalism are similar – you’re observing a journalist and a scientist? Along those same
people and taking notes. And so, I came back lines, does it become difficult to stay neutral?
from that trip feeling like I liked to tell stories Revkin: You have to work at neutrality, be-
and take a lot of pictures and wanted to try writ- cause some people feel more like bad guys and
ing. I went down to National Geographic, I was some people feel more like good guys. Again,
pretty excited, but my pictures weren’t getting the way I do it is... just to say “Well, how do I
put up. So I thought “Oh, maybe I need to learn really know what this person is saying?” Even a
something” and I ended up getting a master’s in very well-meaning scientist can have biases and
journalism at Columbia. passions and hidden agendas and I have to kind
Inc.: So what is the work that you do on a of say, “Well, tell me about the evidence.” Then,
typical day for a typical story? you always try to step back and reflect and look
Revkin: I wake up at seven. While my wife at the story you’ve written from the other point
is helping get stuff together for our 11-year-old, of view and see if it still holds up as true.
I go online, check my blog, approve any com- Inc.: Finally, what advice do you have first,
ments, sometimes start writing a piece that will for student journalists and the future of this busi-
go up on the blog that morning, and then dive ness, but also for students, and youth, in general,
into whatever story I was already working on and the future of the environment?
or that’s coming up that day. It’s the blog that is Revkin: Don’t count on someone saving it
continual... it’s kind of like being inside a plastic for you. Don’t count on conventional govern-
bag that’s pushing in at you from every direc- ment, diplomatic channels doing the lifting.
tion, and you have to keep pushing out. But be optimistic; I do think, pretty fundamen-
Inc.: How often do you travel for stories? tally, that there’s a way to get to a good place
Revkin: Not that much lately, partially be- on this planet in a few decades, and it largely
cause our budgets have shrunk. But I talk to revolves around how young people shape their
people all around the world all the time, and I lives. Some of that is just a little portion, if you
work sometimes with some of our other report- can just sort of shift your career, no matter what
ers who are already overseas. you’re going into, to have a little bit of that
Inc: Emma: Where do you want to go from global vision, I think that could be the trick.

just the facts. Ethics Week. 4/27.

AP stylebooks. $15. New Room. Scripps 116.
t-shirts. $15.
 inc.
internships. news. commentary.

internships..
a real soar subject.
featured. Flight International.
reporting Graylyn Roose
Flight International, the world’s oldest continually running aviation
publication, is seeking a social media intern for the summer of 2009 in
their Alexandria, VA office. As a new media intern, the student will be ex-
pected to be proficient with Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and to maintain
his or her own blog.
“It’s kind of a new thing for us. It’s actually been awhile since this of-
fice has had one,” said Americas Managing Editor Stephen Trimble, who
added that other world offices have had interns more frequently. “
Trimble said that the print publication Flight International, who also
owns the online magazine Flight Global, is hoping to reach a broader au-
dience through new media.
“In the past, we would hire an intern to mainly show them the ropes,”
said Trimble. “But in this case, we’re very interested in having this intern
show us the ropes.”
He added that, like many other publications worldwide, Flight Global
will be taking advantage of bigger online possibilities.
“It’s become another channel for us that we think is very prominent.”
Based in London, the magazine is primarily a niche publication for
those interested in aviation information and news. Flight International re-
porter and OU grad Megan Kuhn says that while an interest in the subject
may help, the potential intern need not be an expert on flight.
“You don’t have to be an aviation nerd, but if you are, this is your dream
job,” said Kuhn, who has been working with the magazine for two years
PHOTO: logo of ABC News on Campus
as a reporter for their wire service.
Trimble acknowledges that much of the office’s staff has a direct inter-
est in flight and aviation. However, he says that an intern will quickly
learn the ropes.
“Flight is a place where people who are really into aviation get to geek
out about it. That’s our audience and that’s a huge part of who we are,”
said Trimble. “That being said, we’re primarily interested in the social
media side.”
The intern will receive about eight dollars an hour and will be expected
to work at Flight International for the duration of his or her summer vaca-
tion. Kuhn says that it would be wise for a potential intern to apply sooner
rather than later.
According to Trimble, the job could include travel possibilities, as mag-
azine staffers often travels to Seattle and Los Angeles, as well as Wash-
ington D.C. press conferences. He adds, however, that travel would be
contingent on budget allowances.
Trimble says that the internship would be a good learning experience
for any college student interested in new media.

old questions. new opportunities.

who. what. when. where. how. why.
Men’s Health Editorial July - December Emmaus, www.rodaleinc. 50% chance you’re
Magazine Intern 2009 Pennsylvania com already a Men’s
Health expert
The Ohio Society Public Relations Summer Dublin, ajohnson@ohio- satisfy your secret
of CPAs Intern 2009 Ohio cpa.com love of accounting
Global News and Any four months New York, www.global- can’t get much
Information Research Intern of the year New York info.org bigger than “global”
Network
college. CNET will be first
CBS Interactive June - August San Francisco,
Online Intern cnetnetworks to know about the
2009 California
.com robot rebellion
Suburban Newsroom terms Collinsville, suburbanjour- less crime, better
Journals Intern negotiable Illinois nals.stltoday. schools, a yard
com/ with a fence
 inc.
internships. news. commentary.

commentary..
CNN: Celebrity News Network
in a celebrity culture, what is news anyway?
commentary Lauren Smith
For a gal who tends to consult AOL NEWS of reporting the hard-hitting facts about the trials
for national goings-on, it was quite a feat to seat and tribulations that celebrities suffer through,
myself in front of a CNN newscast. I’d like to she has never heard anything so offensive or
preface this criticism by admitting that I am by abrasive. And neither have I, for that matter!
no means a news critic, and am probably about The way comedians come up with line-after-line
as up-to-date on current events as a 7-year old. about Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan is mild
However, like most, I am thrilled to criticize the and borderline affectionate compared to Jamie
pure silliness of our newscasters and news sta- Foxx accusing Miss Cyrus of needing a “gum
tions. And where better to turn than CNN?
­­­­­­­­ transplant.” Compared to the other CNN front-
BREAKING NEWS! Allegedly, Jamie Foxx webpage stories such as ‘Trial Begins in Trans-
publicly bashed Miley Cyrus on his radio show, gender Slaying,’ and ‘Mexico and US disagree
The Foxxhole. Now… I’m just as concerned on assault weapons,’ Jamie Foxx’s mockery of
about the personal lives of our underrepresented Miley is far and away the most appalling thing
celebrities as the next girl, but I’d rather hear to be reported on CNN as of late.
about what ‘Brangelina’ named their 29th ad- As though we don’t have enough celebrity
opted child, or who Jennifer Aniston is boink- culture television shows airing right now, the
ing right now. That is far more interesting than networks we rely on for actual, hard-hitting,
listening to Jamie Foxx advising Miley Cyrus to meaningful news are becoming immersed in the
contract Chlamydia or kick back and do some aforementioned viral celeb culture. My advice?
heroine. Poor little mutton chop. She’s just try- Refer to BBC News and BBC World News if
ing to sing her lil’ blonde heart out and post you want to get your facts straight. The news
nudie pics online like every other normal teen- is purposeful, meaningful, cross-cultural and,
age girl! well, important. Now, don’t get me wrong, I un-
Jamie Foxx allegedly justified his vicious derstand that some people want to hear about
comments by saying he’s the black Howard what is happening on the celeb vs. celeb circuit.
Stern. Indeed. Because the world is so very But to mix that into the news? Isn’t that a bit of
supportive of Howard Stern at this point in his an oxymoron?
career, yes? It’s times like this when I am so
grateful that the U.S.’s leading news station can
critically cover celebrity culture and celebrity
politics. Now, instead of watching E! News, I
can merely tune into “The Most Trusted Name
in News.” The CNN slogan is completely ac-
curate. I wouldn’t believe that Foxx/Cyrus story
coming from any other source. Honest.
In the midst of the newscast, while flashing
photos of Foxx and playing the audio record-
ing to death, the headline appears: ‘Foxx Com-
ments Outrage.’ But….whom do they outrage?
Can CNN elaborate so that We the People know
whom, exactly, did ‘Foxx Comments Outrage?’
Assuming, that is, that the use of the word “out-
rage” here is that of a verb, rather than a noun.
But if it is a noun, then there is a missing apos-
trophe in the word ‘Comments.’ Just saying.
Another amusing element of this newscast is
how offended the newscaster is. In all her days
 inc.
internships. news. commentary.
special report..
how to: write a cover letter.
a few helpful tips to get these tricky letters covered.
reporting Cameron Glover
When applying for an internship or job, what
is the first thing you normally do to attract the
employer’s attention? If it isn’t stalking them
outside their office then it is probably sending
in your résumé with a few work samples and, of
course, a cover letter.
Generally, an employer will skim through
your cover letter first to determine whether he
or she is interested enough to continue sifting
through the rest of your documents. This is your
first chance to introduce and prove yourself a
good match for the company. You will want to
be straightforward and creative enough to set
yourself aside from the other applicants.
“The general purpose of a cover letter is that
it is one more way to market yourself to an em-
ployer,” Kristine Hoke said. She is an assistant
director for Career Services and she received
her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Ohio
University just a few years ago.
Hoke said that cover letters accomplish a
wide variety of things within a small amount of
space. “It introduces you and explains why you
are writing,” she said. “It goes over what you
have to offer for that company and why you are
interested in that company.”
It is likely to assume that a cover letter writ-
ten by a journalism major will be assessed by
other writers, editors, etc. so, take extreme cau-
tion when proofreading your cover letter. Sim-
ple mistakes can and will cost you everything
when it comes to first impressions. A helpful
tip to remember is to have someone else read
through your letter, or you can also take it to the
Career Services office on the fifth floor of the
Baker University Center and have an assistant
go through your letter with you.
Career Services also offers a variety of sources
that can supplement your letter writing process,
such as several handouts located by the office
entrance and a small library of helpful books for
all journalism and communications majors that
direct from HQ.
National Shield Law:
Help to protect the rights of
journalists across America by
not only mention cover letters but can help with
job searches, industry information and staff en- contacting congress members.
vironments, as well.
Although cover letters can range from three to
‘09 National Convention and
five paragraphs, there are three basic sections to Centennial Celebration:
keep in mind when writing them. registration now open at
The first section is where you should say why SPJ.org/convention.
you are writing and how you became interest-
ed in that specific company. Employers like to
know whether their marketing and advertise-
ments are working so it is good to mention how
you heard about the position.
The second section is where you will write
about your experiences as they relate to the job.
In order to do this successfully, pay close atten-
new on the blog.
tion to the job description so you can try and
match it with classes or work background that
you’ve had. See Change:
The third and final section is where you thank Go online to the OU SPJ blog
that employer for his or her time and let them (OhioUSPJ.blogspot.com) to take
know if and when you can meet for an inter-
view. You can also let them know that you will a look at this year’s new inductees
contact them in a week or so to make sure they and next year’s OUSPJ executive
received everything. They will appreciate the board..
follow up.
There are some pretty simple dos and don’ts
when it comes to writing cover letters. The most
important, as mentioned before, is proofreading.
Simple mistakes can be devastating. The second
most important thing is to really focus on the
job description and make sure that you mention
qualities that they are looking for in your let-
inc. identified:
ter. You also want to make sure you have ad- Managing Editor Ian Bowman-Henderson
dressed the letter to a specific person instead of
a company department. Lastly, close the letter Copy Editor Graylyn Roose
with “Sincerely,” because it is professional and
also personal.
If you do happen to get stuck, ask for help Contributing Writer Lauren Smith
from a friend, professor or someone at Career
Services. Always remember that cover letters Contributing Writer Emma Morehart
are the first impression that an employer will
have of you so don’t be afraid to sell it.
Contributing Writer Cameron Glover
Contributing Writer Graylyn Roose