The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Marcel G. during the 2007-2008 League.
Shadow a local leader
It is not every day that one has the opportunity to shadow an individual with an endless amount of knowledge. I had the pleasure of accompanying Dr. Patricia Pulliam owner and editor of the Grand Rapids Times Newspaper. Dr. Pulliam has been and continues to be an inspiration for me to continue to pursue my dream of becoming journalists.
During my day of shadowing I had the opportunity to witness the production of the newspaper. I learned that even as the owner of the newspaper you still are required to follow demands and deadlines. Previously to my visit down to the newspaper I just thought that all the articles that the writers write are just sent to the printing company where they are placed on the paper. I quickly learned that I was wrong, the individuals at the newspaper have to put together the layout of the paper before it is sent to the printing company each week. The employees at the Times Newspaper work endless hours to meet their once a week deadline because they know that all the people of the community are counting on them to deliver a paper each week.
The time that I decided to shadow Dr. Pulliam was one of the busiest days of the week because it was Wednesday, the day that the layout of the paper had to be turned in to the printing company. I thought that I was just going to go in to the office and sit around not doing much of nothing, but I was wrong. The minute I walked in the door of the paper I was getting 5 second training lessons on how to answer the phones and take messages, and on how to greet people as they walk in the door. In the first fifteen minutes I answered about 10 phone calls, searched for 6 numbers and jotted down 11 messages. After I was finish with the numerous task I was told to do, I was assigned a featured writing assignment that I only had a half in hour to complete.
With no doubt I stayed extremely busy on my shadowing experience. I admired the environment in which I was working in and I enjoyed the company of the people I was working with. If I could turn back the hands of time to change anything about my experience I wouldn't because I loved every minute of it.
I want to thank Dr. Patricia Pulliam for showing me what it truly means to be a multitasking person and for giving me a taste of what it is like to operate and own a newspaper. I for one admire her dedication.
