One of the most rewarding experiences at The Chronicle is watching an article come to life — blossoming from the first initial idea into 650 refined words, molded and reshaped by rounds of Camayak edits. As section editors, we make sure the first steps in this process and then can watch articles as they go through to publication. Section editor isn’t necessarily the most sought-after position in the paper, but as Features and Opinion Section Editors, we wanted to put our two cents in about why we love our positions.
Each person on The Chronicle takes a role in shaping the final paper, but we have the opportunity to take a more focused look at one specific part. While other editors’ jobs are primarily carried out during layout, our job starts a few weeks before. Each class period prior to layout week, we meet with our sections, sitting on the stairs or benches outside of Weiler, and discuss pitch ideas.
Behind each article, we see the five pitches that didn’t make it, sharpening our understanding of the personality and specific lens that we are trying to imbue the paper with. Making the very first edits on every article in our section allows us to see the quirks in each individual writing style and the strengths of each of our writers.
Moreover, since we work with the members of our section throughout the entire year, we guide them through the technical work of the paper, but we also get to see them develop as both writers and journalists. We’ve watched as juniors, who at the beginning of the year struggled to pitch developed ideas, write nuanced and in-depth pieces as if second nature.
Beyond sharing our love for our roles as section editors, we wanted to express the value we’ve found in getting something out of our position. With the juniors and underclassmen preparing for the college process, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the leadership titles and what looks best on college applications.
So, we wanted to leave this small, last piece of advice as they look ahead: do something that you find purpose and value in, even if its as simple as becoming a section editor.
