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.This experience is very valuable to you and you need to maximize it.This is your opportunity to learn.It is a chance to test the writing and reporting methods that are proven by experience to work.It is also a chance to experiment with new writing and reporting approaches and styles.In an educational environment, there is more room for making mistakes from which you can grow.There is the chance to work closely with professors, publication advisors, and other more experienced writing coaches who may not be as readily available to you once you leave school.Working with student editors is also a chance for student writers to learn the interpersonal skills needed to function as a professional.The give and take between an editor and writer is not that different on a college campus, as it is once you make the transition as a professional.The concerns and basics of the relationships are the same.Probably the major reason campus feature writing is different is the fact that it is a learning experience.While you do not want to make mistakes, you can.Although you do not want to leave problems with editors or sources unsolved, you might.Although you do not want to use bad judgment, you might.In essence, opportunities with student publications are the time to learn by doing.Try the classroom and textbook theory.Put it into practice.We learn from experiences, and the journalistic opportunities you have on campus enhance your writing.This is the time to experiment with your writing—try things you might not have the chance to try once your career begins.It is the time to stretch yourself and see what might be your real potential.Feature Opportunities on CampusThere is a surprisingly large number of diverse feature writing opportunities on most college and university campuses.Just look around.Page 452As a student, you are eligible to write for student newspapers, magazines, yearbooks, newsletters, online publications, and other special publications.There are also more professional publications published on campuses as well.Most colleges and universities produce publications for students, faculty, staff, and alumni.Although these are written and edited by professional staffs, students often are given opportunities to take assignments as part of classes, for parttime employment, and for other purposes.How do you get started? At most student publications, it is as simple as walking into the office and asking to meet with an editor.Introduce yourself and tell him or her that you want to write.An application might be completed along the way, but the big step is asking for, and accepting, that first assignment.Some publications give you a specific story to begin.Others are willing to take your own suggestions for stories.Because you may be asked to propose something, be prepared to suggest a strong feature story idea.Campus NewspapersAs in the commercial world, college newspapers come in all shapes and sizes.Some are broadsheet (or traditional full size) whereas others are tabloids (halfsize pages).Some campus newspapers publish as seldom as two or three times a month, others as often as 5 to 7 days a week when school is in session.Some have summer editions whereas others do not.In terms of management, some campus newspapers are independent of the school's central administration, but many are not.Regardless of the type of newspaper on your campus, it is likely that your school has some sort of newspaper and perhaps even more than one.This translates into opportunity for you to learn about feature writing.Campus newspapers regularly publish feature material.Depending on the school and its size, opportunities to write features for campus newspapers vary.Some campus newspapers, even the highest quality publications, can never seem to recruit enough news and feature writers.Others, most likely ones published at major state universities and other big schools, have much more competitive situations and any staff writing positions are difficult to secure.Two of the most popular featureoriented sections are typically entertainment and sports.A third section embraces student lifestyles and extracurricular activities.These are subjects in which college students often seem to feel most comfortable and are great places to start.However, remember that there are other sections needing help,Page 453too.Opinion section editors are always looking for insightful and interesting columnists with a fresh look at current events or with something to say about the issues.Student activities—how students spend their time—both on and off campus, never cease to be potential feature material
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