Journal of the Journalist Next Door...

The life of a journalist is literarily a life of service....So, yesterday started off like most workdays, calm and quiet. After a light breakfast,i got off to preparing mentally for the day ahead. The stillness of the morning was a welcome buffer before the assignments would inevitably start flooding in. By 8:30 AM, had long reprted at work after dropping off the kids at school and I was right in front of my computer, several pages open, scanning through a sea of to-do items. Media inquiries, event invitations, follow-ups from PR pitches—each demanding attention. I tackled the most pressing ones first, carefully responding to reporters needing more information about a press release I had earlier sent. With each response sent, I felt the weight of the inbox lighten, if only slightly. Once the emails were under control, it was time to shift gears. The previous day’s event at the University needed to be transformed into a news story. I began weaving the narrative, ensuring it would capture the significance of the occasion while being engaging for the readers. As I wrote, I was reminded of the delicate balance my job requires—telling a story that resonates with both the public and the Institution I represent. Each sentence had to be sharp, informative, and aligned with the University’s voice. By the time 12:00 PM rolled around, hunger hit. I grabbed a quick lunch but didn’t stray too far from my desk. Between bites, I scrolled through social media, keeping an eye on the latest conversations. Staying on top of the trends is part of the job, especially when those trends can influence my next move in a PR strategy. Lunch wasn’t glamorous, but it gave me a moment to recharge. The afternoon was packed with more writing. I finished drafting a few news stories—one about a just concluded Table Tennis Championship, another announcing the split of the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology. I carefully chose each word, making sure the copy reflected the tone of the Institution while keeping the content accessible and engaging for our target audience. There’s always that fine line between being informative and being compelling, and I had to ensure both sides were well balanced. By 3:00 PM, my focus shifted to Event Planning. An important University event in the offing, and I needed to make sure the PR strategy was airtight. My team and I brainstormed how to attract media attention, boost social media engagement, and communicate the event’s significance to the University community. The ideas flowed smoothly, and we wrapped up the session with a solid plan in place. As the day wound down, I returned to my inbox to handle any last-minute emails. A few responses had come in, so I fired off quick replies, keeping things moving. I also drafted a memo for my Department, finalizing last minute requests, upcoming event coverage, and the news stories that would soon be rolling out. By 4:14 PM, I finally shut down my computer, feeling satisfied with how the day had unfolded. It had been a long one, but everything was on track. As I left the office, a sense of accomplishment followed me home—a day in the life of a journalist and PR expert, where no two hours are the same, but each task builds towards something bigger. xoxo