2008 Woodie Awards
Editor's desk: Putting my tenure to bed
Sharon Leff
Opinion | 4/28/08
Being the editor in chief is a hard job.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not writing this to complain, or to impress you all.
I'm sure I'll find as I continue my search for post-college employment that every job comes with its challenges.
This is my last issue as editor in chief of The Towerlight. Later this afternoon we will hold semesterly elections where we vote in a new editor in chief and senior editor. Section editors are then appointed and they in turn appoint associate and assistant editors.
After giving my position some thought I realize why this job is so hard, and that's because since September of my freshman year, I've cared about The Towerlight more than I can tell you.
And I know I cared because I would wake up at 3 a.m. after going home on a Sunday or Wednesday and not be able to sleep wondering whether everything was spelled correctly.
Because when I saw my name on a cover story, or anywhere in the paper for that matter, I got a very legal and natural high that I can't begin to explain in this short amount of space.
Because I would take it personally when somebody made a comment against the paper.
Because managing a staff, all of whom I consider my friends, is intensely harder than writing or editing any story.
Because I would get angry when someone didn't understand journalism or how sometimes it's just as hard for me to write about someone messing up as it was for that person to do the messing up.
Because aside from the journalism I learned, I can't imagine where I could have learned as much as I did about people.
Because I cherish going to all the places and meeting all the people I've gone to and met though this job.
Because instead of looking back in two years and only remembering the good things about the job, I know right now what I did well and what I didn't.
….
I want to thank all the people who have helped me over the last four years. Whether it was giving me off the record tips (there can never be too many of these) counseling me during hectic times in UU Room 309 (this was anything but rare) or e-mailing/calling me on a publication date to compliment The Towerlight's work (this was infinitely appreciated), I want to say thank you.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not writing this to complain, or to impress you all.
I'm sure I'll find as I continue my search for post-college employment that every job comes with its challenges.
This is my last issue as editor in chief of The Towerlight. Later this afternoon we will hold semesterly elections where we vote in a new editor in chief and senior editor. Section editors are then appointed and they in turn appoint associate and assistant editors.
After giving my position some thought I realize why this job is so hard, and that's because since September of my freshman year, I've cared about The Towerlight more than I can tell you.
And I know I cared because I would wake up at 3 a.m. after going home on a Sunday or Wednesday and not be able to sleep wondering whether everything was spelled correctly.
Because when I saw my name on a cover story, or anywhere in the paper for that matter, I got a very legal and natural high that I can't begin to explain in this short amount of space.
Because I would take it personally when somebody made a comment against the paper.
Because managing a staff, all of whom I consider my friends, is intensely harder than writing or editing any story.
Because I would get angry when someone didn't understand journalism or how sometimes it's just as hard for me to write about someone messing up as it was for that person to do the messing up.
Because aside from the journalism I learned, I can't imagine where I could have learned as much as I did about people.
Because I cherish going to all the places and meeting all the people I've gone to and met though this job.
Because instead of looking back in two years and only remembering the good things about the job, I know right now what I did well and what I didn't.
….
I want to thank all the people who have helped me over the last four years. Whether it was giving me off the record tips (there can never be too many of these) counseling me during hectic times in UU Room 309 (this was anything but rare) or e-mailing/calling me on a publication date to compliment The Towerlight's work (this was infinitely appreciated), I want to say thank you.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Gary
posted 4/30/08 @ 12:34 PM EST
Congratulations and good luck.
Debbie
posted 4/30/08 @ 6:00 PM EST
We're all very proud of you. Good luck!
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