SNSG 10

"Whoever makes the decision should look for these qualities in a top-ranking editor:

-maturity
-ability to deal with pressure
-good organizational skills
-strong leadership skills
-news judgment
-creativity
-excellent people skills
-ability to multi-task, to deal with many issues at once" pg. 78


The drawing on pg. 78 made me laugh. As organized as we want the Setonian to be, I don't think we'll ever have an editor hierarchy like the figure 10.2

The editor selection process was interesting. It sort of summarizes where I am right now in my position with the paper. For 1 1/2 years, I wrote articles under constant pressure and time constraints. Last year was hell, by far the most academically taxing semester I have had, and will ever have, at SHU.

Last year was all about proving myself. I will admit, one time last year, I didn't turn in an article. But, to be fair, I told the editor days in advance of the deadline that I wouldn't have time to write it. She had time to plan and avoid a layout crisis. In a way, I was being responsible by giving others an advanced warning. Responsibility is more than just turning article in on time. It is also owning up to your mistakes.

After last year, I think I've proved I can handle pressure. In fact, I thrive under it. I took honors ethics, contemporary christian ethics, a lab-heavy theater class, the most writing-heavy class in the entire journalism major, and was in a production all at the same time. And I still turned my articles in on time (sans the one time in the fall). After last year, I'm invincible.

Freshman, take initiative now. You're going to be taking our positions in a year or two. The editor in chief is going to look at your track record when deciding whether to make you an editor. Turn your article in on time, let people know when they will be late, and do not just mail your article to the Setonian and think that's it. There is so much more to do, and the editor-in-chief will take it all into consideration.