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Final farewell

Attention faithful readers of The Interns:

By the end of business Friday, I will be jobless and looking.

My 12-week stint at the Gazette has flown by. Though the days blur to one, it takes but a short period of reflection to pinpoint some highlights:

-- Day 1: Murmur of the storied General Motors plant shutting down began getting louder as GM CEO Rick Wagoner’s speech loomed the next morning. The tension in the newsroom is difficult to describe. Reporters were getting their ducks in a row the entire day, making lists of who each will call in the event the news came through. Emergency memo: Everyone be watching the local television stations in the morning and be ready to report once the news breaks.

-- Day 2: Tension snaps as Wagoner makes the announcement that GM will stop producing vehicles by the end of 2010. Like many Janesvillians, I distinctly remember where I was when I found out The Plant will be but history for Janesville – sitting on my coffee table, buttoning up my shirt. As Wagoner mentioned Janesville, I picked up the pace, tying my tie. Before I could grab my shoes, the cell phone rang. Fellow reporter and designated “reporter buddy” Stacy Vogel beckoned me into the office.

There has only been one instance where I’ve seen a newsroom explode the way it did June 3. I was working as a part-time reporter with the Leader-Telegram in Eau Claire one morning when the WRR Plant exploded on the city’s south side. In both cases, it was impossible to find a reporter without a phone to their ear and their fingers hammering as fast as they could on their keyboards. The energy in the newsroom was awesome sight. I’m thankful I was allowed to be a part of the coverage of the biggest economic blow to Janesville in recent memory.

-- Flood of 2008: The floodwater crept up slowly, but thankfully so. It gave the entire newsroom time to develop a thorough coverage package and prepare for the deluge of water about to swamp the lowlands of Janesville and surrounding communities. Again, the newsroom pulled together and delivered. And again, I’m glad to have had the opportunity to contribute.

-- City manager selection: The selection for Steve Sheiffer’s replacement, set to retire Friday, Sept. 5, is in its second attempt. A big thank you to city reporter Marcia Nelesen for taking vacation the week of the first selection attempt. Without that, I wouldn’t have been able to cover the interviews and rejection of the first set of finalists. I’m a political reporter by nature, and this selection process was right up my alley. It was an educating experience when it came to city government.

-- Diversity in stories: In the course of the 12-week internship, I’ve been able to tackle many different issues facing Janesville, from crime, to the housing crisis, to local government, to the Rock County 4-H Fair. Not once was one story the same, nor should it be. Nobody’s story is the same. Without my experience at the Gazette, I would probably still not know the difference between a junior and senior goat, or that the technical term for a pig is a barrow. I would not have gotten the experience needed to survive in the world of journalism without my internship at the Gazette.

I want to extend a thank you to Scott Angus and Sid Schwartz for giving me the opportunity to work for their newsroom. From Day 1, they threw me into the mix and trusted me with the tough stories. They’ve taught me a lot about the English language and how to make my stories shine. They run a tight ship of sharp reporters who are willing to stick their necks out to get the best story they can, and I’m glad to have been a part of it.

I want to thank my fellow reporters. You all made me feel very welcome and a part of your team. I’ve worked in places where the new blood is hung out to dry until they make themselves worthy. Not here. Like Sid and Scott, each of you made me feel right at home from the get-go, and I’ve learned a lot from each of you.

Kayla and Stacy have taught me to be friendly to each person I interview. People are more likely to help you out when you show you’re more than a reporter – you’re human.

Gina and Frank taught me to know my stuff. Stories are much easier to report and write when you already know the topic inside and out.

Mike and Marcia taught me to be relentless. You’re not going to get the information you want or need without being persistent (especially on the cops and courts and city beats).

Shelly kept me on my toes. The world is constantly changing and you need to keep up with it, even if it means gluing your ear to the police scanner.

Jim showed me the importance of trust and relationships with sources. Without a vast network of people that trust you to handle their news accurately, you won’t get much of a story.

Last but not least, Cathy and Ann Marie. You two showed me the importance of sarcasm and eccentricity in the newsroom. You’ll never make it in journalism if you can’t have fun at work, and needless to say the sarcasm of Ann Marie and Cathy’s quirkiness have gotten me through the tough days.

A final thank you goes out to the people of Janesville and all of those I’ve had contact with over the past three months. Thanks for being patient with me as I learned more about the community. Thanks for trusting me when a story typically reported by someone you’ve trusted needed me to write the story for them.

Janesville’s a great community whose residents are active and engaged. Growing up around the area, and still having family here, I’m so glad I was able to come back home.

On that note, anyone in need of someone with the ability to write and communicate ideas effectively, I’m your guy.

And did I mention I’m available immediately?