It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
Sorry to throw in a cliché, but that is exactly how to describe my time as editor of The Plainsman.
I’ve had to handle covering the shooting of an Auburn freshman at 6 a.m. during the first week of winter break, had my hard work stolen from the racks while hitting numerous freedom of information roadblocks with the University and even broke down a few times because this job is can be rough.
But not just my time as editor, but all four years working at this award-winning newspaper have been the most rewarding and inspiring times of my life.
Staying up until 2 a.m. in the office to finish designing and editing pages with my closest friends would be the highlight of some of my weeks.
Covering President Barack Obama’s speech about civil rights in Selma right in front of me was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
I owe almost all of my great memories to my fellow staff members and The Plainsman in general.
I’ve learned more about working in the journalism field through The Plainsman than I have in my journalism classes.
Yes, classes helped me learn the basics, but The Plainsman helped me develop those skills and find my place as a journalist.
Journalism students, I write this for you.
Get as much experience as you possibly can outside the classroom. The School of Communication and Journalism isn’t going to teach you how to interact with a difficult person you’re interviewing. It’s not going to give you the chance to cover an in-depth investigative piece on what’s wrong with systems on campus. And it’s not going to give you real-world journalism experience.
Get involved and use student media as an invaluable resource.
One of my top goals as editor was to get The Plainsman a new website, and I cannot be prouder of how it has come to fruition.
The Plainsman staff was doing great reporting and multimedia before the new website.
Now the staff has the chance to transform and evolve with the changing journalistic landscape.
I hope everyone who ever works for The Plainsman earns the jobs they deserve after graduation and continue to impress the world.
And I hope the students, faculty, staff and community members of Auburn continue to go to The Plainsman for all Auburn news.
We’re here for you; to show people the truth, to show people what matters and to expose people to parts of the community they’ve never seen before.
It would be impossible for me to describe how much my time at The Plainsman has changed me for the better, so I’ll just leave everyone with this.
Never be afraid to tackle something that terrifies you.
Whether that is moving across the country away from your family and friends for an awesome job, standing up for what is right, even though there will be consequences to deal with or writing an article that may take time, but when published will start some much-needed change.
Auburn has been a great place for me to grow and become who I am and want to be, but it’s time to move on.
My time as editor continues to push me to my limits, but I wouldn’t trade any of it for a second.
Becky Hardy is the editor-in-chief of The Plainsman. She can be reached at editor@ThePlainsman.com.
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