Interview with a young Journalist

Derek Stell got into Journalism through his high school journalism class where he ended up becoming the Editor-in-Chief of his high school paper. After Derek’s mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints he “came to BYU and decided to combine my love for sports with my need for (semi) gainful employment”. Derek got his break with an internship at the Daily Harold by simple luck. Derek was completing a writing assignment, waiting for spring football practice to end when he meet a young sports editor for the Harold, Jason Franchuk. Jason mentioned the Harold was looking for an intern to help cover high school sports. Jason got Derek in touch with sports editor Darnell Dickson who sadly did not have any opening at the moment but kept Derek in mind for any later openings.

Derek defines good journalism simply as good storytelling. “To tell a story well you have to understand and know the characters and events well.” Derek goes on to explain, “For sports, you have to know the number and represent the people well.” Derek feels that the Harold, as a whole, practices good journalism. “The Harold covers Utah County. It serves that community by telling its stories and helping people feel connected.”

When asked about recent movements in journalism such as, community, civic, citizen, and public journalism Derek does not like how “non-professionals” can determine the news. Derek explains, “I think civic journalism is when the paper doesn’t tell the reader what to think, but the readers tell the paper how to cover an issue. Why have educated professionals if they are going to be guided by armatures.”

Derek is the first to tell you that he has been affected buy the hardships papers are facing these days, he is finding it harder to find jobs and the earning potential is not what it used to be. Derek does however count himself lucky since he is a sports journalist, “sports is not as quickly affected by those things. People always are looking for sports news. Its value is higher.”

As for Derek’s advice for all those aspiring journalist out there, “Be prepared to not make a lot of money. Also make sure you have a lot of skills, don’t pigeon hole yourself.”