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Chicago, IL —
Name: Steven Ryan
Newspaper you work for:: Needham Times (Mass.)
What do you do? Reporter
Tell us a little about your career: I first became interested in journalism while working at the student newspaper at Saint Anselm College, where I ended being a sports editor. I later went to Boston University's College of Communication, where I earned a master's degree in printjournalism. Before working at The Needham Times, I was an editorial assistant at The Boston Herald, where I spent my days writing obits, taking angry phone calls, and doing animal stories. It was a great experience, though. Nothing beats being at a daily in a major city.
I should have known better: Never, ever promise to show an article to someone you're interviewing. While starting out at BU, I was a stringer at The Chelsea Record. I did a story on some property that fell into disrepair in that city's Cary Square. While talking to the property owner, who was involved in a family dispute over the property, she asked if I could read her my article before submitting it - to make sure the chronology was right. I thought it was a reasonable request. Well, when I did call her, she wasn't so interested in chronology; she wanted me to rewrite the whole story to reflect her point of view. I eventually put my foot down, and she threatened to sue. The story was published, and I guess her lawyer couldn't find my number.
What do you do in your job? I spend a lot of time on the phone, talking to as many relevant people as I can. Of course, I usually attend at least one meeting a week and I go out to interview folks in person whenever possible. As a whole, writing doesn't take up too much time. If the research is done, the article - besides the lede - usually writes itself.
What's your biggest mistake on the job? Misspelling a name is the most aggravating mistake possible. And no matter how many times it happens - even it is just once - I consider it the biggest mistake a reporter can make. Once I covered a graduation in which the student speaker was introduced as an Anna, at least that is what I thought I heard. Her mother set me, actually my editor, straight after the story was published. The speaker's name was Hannah, by the way. "When I'm old and senile, I'll be wondering why I kept this newspaper," the mother said.
Hardest lesson you've had to learn? People intrinsically don't trust journalists anymore. I actually had a friend say he'd punch a journalist if one came to his door, describing most of journalists as sleazy muckrakers — myself excluded of course. It is sometimes a challenge to recognize the value of your job when some people view you as a step below pond scum.
Proudest accomplishments? I ended up in the police log last month! Neal Simpson, the other Needham reporter, and I went to a neighborhood where a shooting had been reported - about a month after it happened. (No one was hurt.) Police essentially didn't tell us anything until we were tipped off and we directly asked them about the shooting. While in the area, Neal talked to a woman at the home where the alleged shooting took place, while I talked to neighbors. The woman denied the shooting. And after we hopped back in our cars and headed back to the office, I was pulled over by police, who said the woman Neal spoke to called them. I was told to stay away from the property and, in a non-sequitor, the woman's baby. By the way, Neal drove past me while I was talking to police with a very confused look on his face.
What's life like beyond the newspaper? My favorite hobby is street hockey, which I play every Wednesday night in a league in Saugus. Aside from that, I read a lot to relax and I am a huge music fan. Popping in a CD on my drive to and from work is a highlight each day. And I do manage to go to the occasional concert. Other than that, I'm a sports nut and read and watch as much as I can about hockey and football and of course the Sox. I also tend to watch cheesy MTV shows. Celebrity Rap Superstar is da bomb!
Name: Steven Ryan
Newspaper you work for:: Needham Times (Mass.)
What do you do? Reporter
Tell us a little about your career: I first became interested in journalism while working at the student newspaper at Saint Anselm College, where I ended being a sports editor. I later went to Boston University's College of Communication, where I earned a master's degree in printjournalism. Before working at The Needham Times, I was an editorial assistant at The Boston Herald, where I spent my days writing obits, taking angry phone calls, and doing animal stories. It was a great experience, though. Nothing beats being at a daily in a major city.
I should have known better: Never, ever promise to show an article to someone you're interviewing. While starting out at BU, I was a stringer at The Chelsea Record. I did a story on some property that fell into disrepair in that city's Cary Square. While talking to the property owner, who was involved in a family dispute over the property, she asked if I could read her my article before submitting it - to make sure the chronology was right. I thought it was a reasonable request. Well, when I did call her, she wasn't so interested in chronology; she wanted me to rewrite the whole story to reflect her point of view. I eventually put my foot down, and she threatened to sue. The story was published, and I guess her lawyer couldn't find my number.
What do you do in your job? I spend a lot of time on the phone, talking to as many relevant people as I can. Of course, I usually attend at least one meeting a week and I go out to interview folks in person whenever possible. As a whole, writing doesn't take up too much time. If the research is done, the article - besides the lede - usually writes itself.
What's your biggest mistake on the job? Misspelling a name is the most aggravating mistake possible. And no matter how many times it happens - even it is just once - I consider it the biggest mistake a reporter can make. Once I covered a graduation in which the student speaker was introduced as an Anna, at least that is what I thought I heard. Her mother set me, actually my editor, straight after the story was published. The speaker's name was Hannah, by the way. "When I'm old and senile, I'll be wondering why I kept this newspaper," the mother said.
Hardest lesson you've had to learn? People intrinsically don't trust journalists anymore. I actually had a friend say he'd punch a journalist if one came to his door, describing most of journalists as sleazy muckrakers — myself excluded of course. It is sometimes a challenge to recognize the value of your job when some people view you as a step below pond scum.
Proudest accomplishments? I ended up in the police log last month! Neal Simpson, the other Needham reporter, and I went to a neighborhood where a shooting had been reported - about a month after it happened. (No one was hurt.) Police essentially didn't tell us anything until we were tipped off and we directly asked them about the shooting. While in the area, Neal talked to a woman at the home where the alleged shooting took place, while I talked to neighbors. The woman denied the shooting. And after we hopped back in our cars and headed back to the office, I was pulled over by police, who said the woman Neal spoke to called them. I was told to stay away from the property and, in a non-sequitor, the woman's baby. By the way, Neal drove past me while I was talking to police with a very confused look on his face.
What's life like beyond the newspaper? My favorite hobby is street hockey, which I play every Wednesday night in a league in Saugus. Aside from that, I read a lot to relax and I am a huge music fan. Popping in a CD on my drive to and from work is a highlight each day. And I do manage to go to the occasional concert. Other than that, I'm a sports nut and read and watch as much as I can about hockey and football and of course the Sox. I also tend to watch cheesy MTV shows. Celebrity Rap Superstar is da bomb!
