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the Douglas College newspaper since 1976

yrs PRESS

UTC issue12 volume37 - november23 / 2010

 

 

 

 

Three years, and I’m still learning here

     

Garth McLennan
Editor in Chief

ver since graduating from
Hi school three years ago,

I’ve been involved in student
journalism. In fact, it’s really quite
hard now to even mention my post-
secondary career without bringing
up my tenure with The Other Press.
They basically go hand in hand with
each other.

I just recently passed the three
year mark here at your resident
student newspaper, and the moment
served as an appropriate time to look
back and reflect on not just my time
with the paper, but also the evolving
role of student journalism in the first
place. Recently, I had a nice talk
with the previous editor-in-chief
here at the OP, Liam Britton, and he
was of the belief that the primary
role of the student newspaper is,
much like a college/university
course or class, quite simply, to
be used as a teaching tool; a place
where inexperienced yet aspiring
young journalists can learn and grow
together.

With that in mind, it truly is
amazing just how much I have
learned and grown in these three
years. During my time here, whether
on a full-time or interim basis, I’ve
served, at one point or another, as
The Other Press’ editor-in-chief,
sports editor, distribution manager
and news editor, while at the same
time contributing articles regularly
to the arts and opinions sections of
the paper.

I’ve learned the ins and outs of
the newspaper business, how to meet
deadlines, what to look for when
editing other people’s work, not just

how to write but how
an 5

incredible people and forged some
really special friendships with
people I never would have even met
without this paper. Basically, this
newspaper has been, for me, exactly
what Liam said is should be: A
wonderful place to really learn and
grow. Speaking honestly, it blows
my mind to even think of where I
would be had I never spotted that
ad saying that The Other Press was
searching for a new sports editor.

In an increasingly digital and
internet based world, I understand
that the role of not just student
newspapers but the entire print

business as a whole is diminishing
and is on a slow but steady decline.
However, there are still plenty of
really good years left in the tank,
and The Other Press is still, as it
always has been, a fantastic place to
learn skills you’ll keep for life, meet
some great people and just have a lot
of fun.

That’s why I’m strongly
encouraging you to stop by and
check us out. We are, after all,
you’re newspaper. Pick up a paper;
stop by a meeting (we meet every
Monday at six). I promise you won’t
regret it.

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and perhaps most of
all, to recognize how
important it is when
people depend on you.
I’ve met a lot of