Lynn Walsh

As young or new journalists many of us are faced with the stigma associated with being “the new guy.”

The extra phone calls, the posting of web content, the small errands — the list of assignments you receive can sometimes bring you back to the days when you were just an intern.

Just because you are “the new kid on the block” it doesn’t mean you are not a valuable and important part of your news organization. Even though it may not feel like it at first or the adjustment period is taking longer than you would like, hang in there, because they would not have hired you and picked you from probably countless other applicants if they didn’t want you there.

That said, being new also means you have to prove yourself, gain trust and in turn gain more responsibility. You are not going to get any of those things though without stepping up and becoming a leader, someone your boss and colleagues can count on.

For me that has meant being willing to train and be patient with my fellow reporters as I teach them basic video skills like shooting and editing. It has also meant using my love of social media to let my editors know about new online tools that may be great additions to our website or social media coverage.

How do I do this? By sharing and communicating with fellow reporters and editors about interesting websites, great news stories and local events that I find interesting and could see as possibly being worthwhile to my news organization.

You can do this too! It really is not that hard and you are probably doing it already don’t even realize it. The great part about it is that it doesn’t even take that much time. It can be as simple as sharing an e-mail with fellow staff members or spending a few minutes a week just talking to your editor or boss about industry related news. (Sometimes conversations with editors or supervisors can get too caught up in the daily beat you cover. It’s OK to break away from that once in a while!)

The worst thing you can do is assume that everyone else at your news organization has heard about the great new FREE audio recording app you found for your smartphone or that everyone else has also received an invitation to try out a beta version of an up-and-coming social media site.

This goes beyond gadgets and technology too. Just because you signed up to receive updates form the FBI or Department of Justice doesn’t mean everyone did. If there is ever potential for a story based on information you received from an e-mail alert or press release, do not hesitate to speak up. The worst thing someone can say is that they saw it or that they are not interested in having anyone from your news organization cover it.

One thing to keep in mind: do not overwhelm anyone either. Forwarding press releases form the Governors office daily or stories from ESPN and other national news organization may get a little redundant and become annoying, especially if there is a pretty good chance the person is already aware of the situation or story.

Whether you feel like the “newbie” or not, now is the time to step up and show your newsroom what you can do as a journalist!

Being able to attend trainings, especially ones lasting more than a few days, is a privilege in this business. So, when you are able to attend them or selected to attend them, I think you need to treasure every minute of them and most importantly be prepared.

This week, I am attending a Web 2.0 training at the Knight Digital Media Center in California. As this week quickly approached, saying I was excited about the opportunity was an understatement. I was eager to meet fellow journalists, learn new tricks and increase my love of journalism even more.

In general, as a training date gets closer and closer, the key for me is preparation — without it I do not think I would be able to enjoy or really learn much from them. So, as with other trainings I began to prepare mentally and electronically.

Here are some ways I prepare for trainings so I can have the ultimate journalism experience, without interruptions:

* Communicate with your news organization ahead of time. Make sure it is clear what, if any, your responsibilities will be while there. Will you be expected to blog? Post updates on social media accounts? Respond to e-mails? The list goes on and on and I think it is crucial in making sure you get the most out of your training. The best way to approach these questions is by asking and having an open conversation about all of this with your boss and editors.
* Let people know you will be gone. Whether it is a source or colleagues. Take the time to send out personal e-mails or to make phone calls to let people know you will be out of pocket for a while. Be sure to set a vacation responder on your e-mail and your voicemail message. If you are OK with being contacted let people know the best way to reach you.
* Share valuable story information or have it easy to find. While you may not be in the newsroom, it doesn’t mean your beat is going to stop moving. If you were working on a major story, let someone know where it stands and where the information is, just in case anything happens. Forward e-mails to other reporters about story leads you received. Copy documents and databases to CD’s or keep them in a place that is easy to locate just in case someone in the newsroom needs to get their hands on it. The same goes for any social organizations or responsibilities you may have too.
* Make sure you leave home AT HOME. From the littlest things like emptying garbage cans to paying bills, make sure you leave yourself enough time to get things at home done so you are not thinking or worrying about them while attending training. Let friends and family know where you are and give them a heads up that you may be hard to get in touch with during the training.
* Come prepared. Make sure you have enough business cards, all of your electronic chargers, pens, a computer if you need one, etc. You want to put your best face forward, so take the time to cover your bases. Check out what the weather is going to be if you are traveling somewhere and pack accordingly. Not sure what the dress code is, it is OK to ask the organizers. And be sure to bring cash and have some on hand, especially for airports and parking.
* Contact old friends. This is only if time and the schedule allows for it (be sure to check with your organizers.) Check your Rolodex and contact people who may be in the area and see if they can grab dinner, drinks, breakfast, etc. It can be a perfect opportunity to reconnect to an old friend or colleague.