My Vicarious Life: editor

A Still Small Voice {and a Plan}

editor April 03, 2012

By Katrice

I think at some point in every career writer's life, we think we will or should reside in NYC. I don't know where I got this idea, outside of knowing a little about the publishing industry, but I've thought it since I was about 11 and I decided I wanted to one day be an editor.

In 2006, I had begun the process of applying with Teach for America in New York and was considering moving to Queens as it seemed that I'd actually be offered a position. Foremost in my mind was that I would finally be in the city ... not the job I was pursuing. I was literally driven by the premise of being in NYC, the place I believed essential to my rise as a journalist. I was convinced that for a dramatic opportunity, I'd need a dramatic jump. And what is more fantastic a jump than moving to NYC? In my mind, it was a sign of commitment to my dreams. It was a move of boldness and a leap of faith. And then like a switch being clicked on, the entire idea terrified me. The romaniticization of being a "starving artist" was one thing. The reality of it, another.

I had only moved to Philadelphia four months earlier and felt it a comfortable challenge because at least I had a cousin there for support as I tried to break into the magazine industry.

I was within a train ride of the NYC and so everything seemed as if it would inevitably work out {the key word being inevitably. I'm not the "inevitable" type anymore}. I should also mention that at this point, four months into living in Philly, I hadn't received one bite from any of the magazines or media outlets to which I had applied daily for editorial assistant positions. But, I was determined that I was not going back home to Ohio. I literally told everyone who asked as I was preparing to leave {and after I was gone} that if it didn't work out in Philadelphia, I'd try another city. I meant that. And now I was pursuing a job that had nothing to do with my dream career with no plan in place.

That's the interesting thing about my move out of Ohio six years ago. I learned the essence of the scripture that says "faith without works is dead." When I decided to relocate, I felt confident that it was the right time and that I was prepared. I'm a spiritual woman, so I had been praying about it. I'm hard working, so I believed my resume pretty strong. And mentally, I was clamoring for a change. But, I had put no strategy in place. When it was time for Plan B, I was starting from nothing; Plan B was actually Plan A.

After rethinking New York, a few conversations with my aunt and my brother, who were both already in Atlanta, led me to start researching publications in the Southeast ... something I should have done before even considering quitting my job and moving {in every sense of the word} on faith alone. It helps when your support system is resourceful and patient, but preparation on your part is key. With just a little digging, I found a hearty publishing industry in Atlanta. I couldn't believe the number of magazines within metro Atlanta alone. Moreover, I was actually a bit embarrassed that I didn't know. I hadn't even given myself the luxury of options.

Options are everything.

Within a week of realizing the type of opportunity for journalists in Atlanta, I had packed my car and driven from Pennsylvania to Georgia. That was May 2006, which seems like only yesterday. And sometimes, I wonder what may have happened had I actually moved to New York and not Atlanta. But, I don't regret that still small voice that stopped me in my tracks. Had it not been for that moment of clarity, I may never have carried on in the right direction. I'm still a believer in praying for what I desire and expecting it to come to pass. Now, however, I don't just pray for miracles, I prepare for them.

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The Road Less Traveled

editor March 19, 2012

By Katrice

If you've had a few face-to-face conversations with me, you know that my grandfather is my hero. That distinction came during the second year I was a reporter for my hometown newspaper, The Sandusky Register, when I had the privilege of writing a special feature about his life in the community. Before I knew anything about his trials and triumphs, however, my foundation and respect for the benefits of hard work had already been set by my mother — his daughter. I'm not ashamed to say that few things came to us easily when I was a child. What we had was the direct result of my mother's earnest efforts and solid reputation; one literally fed the other.

When I started as a reporter, I was a recent college graduate with a degree in English and absolutely no journalistic prowess. Starting at the ground level is a theme in my life. I began my work with the Register as a stringer; In that couple-month period the assistant managing editor taught me how to be a reporter. And let me tell you, it wasn't a cake walk. The first couple weeks, I'd go to her complaining about my ledes being rewritten and my headlines changed, and her reply was always the same: "Do it better and it won't require my revising." I took that as a challenge. I'd write my story, put it in Ready to Edit, and proceed down to her desk to go through it line by line. I started to be fanatical about making sure what actually made it into the paper was what I provisioned. After three months, I was offered a full-time staff writer position. And even with that, our one-on-ones continued until I knew just about everything she knew about being a newspaper journalist.

When I left that post three and a half years later, it was because I believed it was a good time for me to start working toward a move up in the industry. I've always had my mind set on being an editor — though I didn't exactly know what it would take. My next move: a master's degree, followed by two years as executive director of a non-profit organization. What was happening in the midst of these pivotal stops, however, is what I contend most important in my trajectory.

From 1995-2004, I worked at the Radisson in various positions each summer. Upon graduating from Bowling Green State University with a master's degree in American Culture Studies, I interviewed for a city editor position with the Register and was passed over. I took a job as a front desk and membership clerk at the YMCA and later an adjunct instructor position with Heidelberg College. I continued to work at the Y. And I would be dishonest if I didn't admit here that I was a marginally disheartened that my progress toward a more senior post as a journalist hadn't been easier to attain. But, paying my bills became paramount.

I volunteered for every extra hour available at the gym ... filling in for people; volunteering to be there to open at 4 a.m.; and every single thing I could think of in between to become a standout — including offering the executive director unsolicited programming advice {LOL}. When the position with Big Brothers Big Sisters became available and I had been through two interviews for the executive director post, it was between me and another candidate. The departing ED had lunch with the head of the YMCA, and somehow my name came up. He began to talk about my conversations with him at the gym, not realizing that he was giving me the reference I needed to push me over. I worked at BBBS for two years before deciding to continue my quest toward editorship.

As you have gathered at this point, my road to Atlanta Tribune is not the typical route of a journalist. But, it is that of consistency, excellence, enterprise and diligence.

In my first interview with Tribune publisher Pat Lottier, I was afraid that my resume would seem a puzzle that she may not understand. But, what she told me proved that effort joined with earnest intent makes all the difference: What I see here is the summation of someone who isn't afraid to do what is necessary to achieve their expected end.

If you have your mind set on achieving, don't stop — even if you're the only one on the road you're traveling to your expected end.

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First Impressions Are Underrated

editor March 05, 2012

By Katrice

When I made an unsolicited visit to Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine in June of 2006, I came wearing the best interview attire I had available to me: a crisp white button-down ruffle blouse, black pencil skirt and black heels. No one was expecting me, as the magazine wasn't hiring for any editorial positions. But I was invited in for a brief meeting with the current editor. It was a conversation that I earnestly believe only took place because I arrived having carefully considered the first impression I wanted to make.

I was offered the opportunity to interview on the spot for an apprenticeship in the editorial department. {My goal was to land an unpaid editorial assistantship for at least 20 hours a week to learn the magazine editorial process and work my way up. My rationale, which I shared with the editor: I could work another job in my free time to cover my bills.} A perfect scenario, I thought ... because I didn't have any in-house magazine experience but was no stranger to sacrifice. Long story short — I didn't get the apprenticeship; It went to a deserving Clark Atlanta University student who was studying journalism. When I found out, I cried to my older brother because I thought I wasn't good enough to even get the lowest position though in the back of my mind I respected that a student needed scholarship money more than I needed the opportunity at that point.

The next day, I made an appointment with a temp agency in Union City, Ga., for later that week and went to meet the representative in the very same manner. I wore a different blouse and skirt ensemble with heels, and I was placed in an office within days. For two months, I worked two separate temporary posts through that agency until one day receiving a voicemail message from Atlanta Tribune about an opening on the editorial staff. Not only had the editor remembered me, she was offering me an interview for a full-time paid position. It wasn't what I wore, but I'm confident that factoring in what I should wear made a difference. ... As you can surmise, I got the job that lead to this point in my career. And though I completely credit God with the favor that placed me on that editor's mind, I did my very best to give Him something to bless. Being prepared for opportunity is key.

If you talk to any Atlanta Tribune intern who has worked with us over the last six years, they will tell you that our editorial staff is scrupulous about their presentation of themselves — from how they dress to how they speak. We have a business casual standard for day-to-day operations, but if we expect visitors in our office for meetings or have a conference, we wear business attire. Never mind whether the meeting will involve us or if we'll be working the background of an event.

We {society on the whole} are becoming increasingly comfortable with doing just enough. And somehow failing to realize doing "just enough" will earn you the very same. I hear people say all the time that they don't want to be judged by their appearance, and in theory — I can understand that sentiment to some extent. But, when you want to be a cut above, every single nuance of your presentation needs to be a cut above.

People often ask me how I got to where I am with the magazine and I generally get right to the meat of the story. But, I wanted to take just a moment to share my beginning. I didn't have exactly what I wanted to wear when I drove up to the magazine's office. But, I put together the best of what I did have understanding what all would be considered if I was to be taken seriously, and I still do the same today. Consider how my story may have turned out had I dropped by the office in skinny jeans and a T-shirt to introduce myself and leave my resume. ...

If you ask me, first impressions are everything.

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A Still Small Voice {and a Plan}

The Road Less Traveled

First Impressions Are Underrated

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