From Weakness
                       To Strength

Those who do eventually get jobs in broadcast news tend to be the hard-workers, who consistently try to meet the many expectations of this time-pressured writing style without all the excuses. Remember, there are always unexpected situations and/or new issues to be dealt with in this professional endeavor. So you must be as prepared as possible, otherwise you'll look and sound simplistic, shallow or foolish. There's are three old sayings in this industry to remember:

       One- "the camera and microphone can always spot a phony." Good make-up, a sharp wardrobe and a great voice can’t hide a person with limited knowledge, communications skills or abilities.

       Saying number two…”before you shoot off your mouth, make sure your brains are loaded!”
Now is the time your education to learn those things you’ve been putting off or ignoring because it did not interest you. A mass audience will include people who need that information. If you insist of closing your mind to it, you limit your own job opportunities.

      The third industry saying helps you to keep grades in proper perspective…
”you’re only as good as your last story.” If you get a good grade on one assignment, don’t sit back and say “I’m cool.” You may be surprised. The next effort may get you an “F” grade because of that false sense of confidence. Each effort is evaluated on its own merit. To maintain good grades, you must be diligent and stay focused.

NOTE: You NEED a "C" or better in J61b to advance to the TV journalism classes.

  Like the diner or roadside inn sign:  YOU must be someone who constantly reads newspapers, watch and listen to news broadcasts and go online for more detail and perspective. Don't kid yourself...without increasing your knowledge, your skills alone will not carry you that far in this industry. Plus...how could you make effective news decisions to be competitive with others if you are clueless about the issues, trends, attitudes and background information.

  Yes, you may get overwhelmed at times! Welcome to the business! Sometimes a story is breaking so fast with so many different details, you have to think and act quickly just to keep up. Get into that mode of thinking now in J61b. "Student normal time and speed" do NOT work in the "fast paced, get it right, get it on" mentality REQUIRED in nearly all aspects of this line of work. Again...don't allow yourself any excuses or breaks. Do tell yourself, however, that others, just like you, once were frightened by that challenge in college. Today they are working professionals who are grateful someone pushed them and hard in school.

Does Professor Rucker realize this is a LOWER DIVISION course intended for sophomores and juniors? You don't press young students this way this hard early in their college experience...unless a signal is being sent that future classes at higher levels will be expecting even more. Writing news is tough enough. Later when you have to go out and shoot video, produce a newscast and anchor, coping with time deadlines and pressures should be come second nature to you., (Remember the first time you drove a car...vs...now when you drive? Day one was quite scary...today you hop in, crank it up and take off...it's second nature to you.)

  Expect to be constantly evaluated on how creatively YOU think on your feet and react under pressure! You will get used to it and most will do fine. Some, however, may not. Remember...This professional endeavor is not for everyone. J61b will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses. Now is the time you must face them.

Being paid for a specialized service makes someone a professional. Usually the best worker in most crafts make more money than those starting out of school or those whose skills and abilities are limited.

Broadcast and online news professionals are usually motivated by far more important goals then money. They feel a unique responsibility because they know, literally, millions of people locally, nationally or internationally are counting on them to be there, be ready with their work and have accurate news and information. The public has come to expect a lot and the perceived demand is very challenging…but not impossible once you learn the basics and practice them for years and years.
Eventually you will relax and learn how to enjoy the experience of presenting news and information quickly, creatively and on time.

J61b is the beginning of this unique learning experience. Tell yourself from the outset that
YOU CAN DO THIS…thousands of students before you have!

Discipline yourself as follows if you want to achieve this career goal.

1. Keep up with the news. No excuses allowed...period.
   READ the San Jose Mercury News (or your local newspaper) daily.
   Listen to KCBS-740am EVERY DAY (you need to constantly hear how they write and say broadcast news.)
   Also… programs like Nightline on ABC television (11:35pm), 60 MINUTES on CBS, DATELINE on NBC, 20/20 on ABC, and NPR’s radio program “All Things Considered” provide YOU with more in-depth information and understanding about life and timely news events.
   You need more depth in order to be believed as a writer and reporter. So find the time to check out these programs...again, no excuses.
   
   
2. Listen carefully to and follow directives the FIRST TIME…ask clarifying questions right then. Next…do precisely what you have been told to do. No second guessing yourself. Confidence is required.
   
   
3. LEARN THE STYLE RULES IMMEDIATELY…Do not put this off. Remember what was said above..."Many are called, few are chosen." Those who try the coast by and learn under the gun tend to be the worst students with little chance of a future in this profession. Take advantage of the time given
   to learn the style rules, practice them and apply them to what you are reading and hearing on the news, and YOU have a fighting chance at success.
   
   
4. GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT, always... no guesswork. Remember the word “assume” and the old saying that it makes an ass out of you and me.
   
   
5. SPELLING MATTERS...and NOW. Don’t count on the computer spell check to save you, look it up in your dictionary. Writing is a time honored craft...the details are always your responsibility. Your credibility is at stake here. Take the time…get it right yourself. Use a dictionary. Make the effort.
   
   
6. MEET YOUR DEADLINES…expect NO extensions. Turn in assignments COMPLETELY done and edited. Otherwise take a failing grade, you deserve that. Professionals don't do things half way and survive. Forget excuses. Don’t bother offering them. No one wants to hear them.
   
    
7. After you learn, understand and have practiced the writing style, then try to WRITE MORE CREATIVELY. At the outset just learn and do the basics. Do not expect to win an Emmy Award for writing every time. Don’t try to. As time goes on (later this semester and in future classes) put yourself out there and show you style and clever ways.
   
   
8. “Never Give Up, Never Surrender!” That line from the Tim Allen movie applies when you start thinking about dropping J61b when it gets too tough.    Once the university date for dropping a class has passed, you may NOT drop this class without submitting required documentation of either a health or personal emergency. NO EXCEPTIONS.
   
   A poor or failing grade in J61b is not enough to release you from your responsibilities. Try harder. This policy, supported by the School of Journalism Director and the Dean of the college is designed to help students face their responsibilities, and not run from them.
   
    
9. Always TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR WORK. Don’t just turn anything in just to get credit. Every assignment should reflect your best possible effort given the time allotted.
   
   
10. TALK WITH YOUR EDITOR, one-on-one, periodically for a progress check and suggestions for improvement. You are required to come to Professor Rucker’s office for at least one mid-semester review. But if you need a better understanding of any assignment, go see him as often as you need. That is far more impressive than staying away and producing poor work.