My very last sad day

Today is strange.

For one, I'm saddened. Today is my last day at the paper and it feels surreal. I'm looking at these people that guided me through everything these past few months, joked with me about crazy small town sources, life in Indiana, how much they all dislike Marion in one way or another and the state of journalism.

I had a good talk with the business reporter here, Brett, about how things are going in journalism. Since two editors left the paper, we haven't found editors to replace them - but the kicker is, he told me they've eliminated a huge chunk of staff but are expected to do at least 50 percent more the workload. Designers are the first ones being ditched (they always were the unsung heroes.)

I don't know if I could ever leave the business. I am far too deep in this love affair with journalism to leave. Of course, I have yet to be out of a journalism job.

I think I'll miss the reporters the most because they're the ones that taught me the most (besides Tricia and Andrea). AJ, Mischelle, Brett and Maribeth all welcomed me with open arms when I came to the paper. I think AJ put it best when she said "you know how to treat an intern by having been an intern yourself." It was a sigh of relief having come into a city I've never been to, having my first internship and knowing only one person.

I believe I've made friends in all of them and they're a talented group. I hope that none of them will be victim to the state of the business.

My last day at the paper was nothing like I expected. I received a thank you card from the entire staff with sweet notes and a gift card to Starbucks (which is amazing :) ) I really did want to cry, but I forced myself not to.

The executive editor also offered a job opening to me after college, which was flattering to me. It's the icing on top of the internship cake I was looking for.

Today was amazing - I couldn't have asked for more.

-Joan

My apologies

Yes, I haven't updated in 10 days. I am ashamed and apologetic to those who read my blog.

This last week has been a trip. It's been...interesting to put it lightly. I cannot go into full detail on here, but the newsroom has been changing drastically in such a short period of time. Last week, I did many online video updates, which you can see on the left panel there. I will put in my newest one once I get it done today below for your viewing pleasure.

I have just a few more days left here and I had to conjure up a 5-page paper last night detailing what I've learned through my experiences. It wasn't hard to fill up - a lot of things went on.

I think people thought I didn't get much out of this internship and that I'd be speeding out of here. However, it is my philosophy that everything is a learning experience and I am grateful for what the Chronicle gave me.

- As silly as it sounds to those of you who know me, I became less inhibited about reporting news in front of the camera. As I did more videos, I stumbled less, became less nervous, more confident.

- I learned the politics of a professional newsroom, where reporting the story, editing and putting together the paper is a passion, but also a means to survive in the world. I learned how the publisher, advertising department and editorial work together and just how huge Sunday is around here.

- I learned that I should really be proud of what I'm doing at the school paper. It isn't much different than what the professionals are doing, it's just on a larger scale with different challenges.

I have very little time left total in Indiana - less than three weeks now. It is bittersweet. I'll miss being able to see my cousins, uncles and aunts almost every weekend - a luxury I don't get in Texas.

However, I still have a little of A LOT left to go - the big time. Wish me luck.

Keeping you posted,
Joan