Madeline Kuhns is a journalism senior and Mustang News opinion columnist. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Mustang Media Group.
I initially entered Cal Poly as a plant sciences major, but I switched to journalism at the end of my freshman year. This change provided me with benefits for my career and personal life in ways I had never expected. One of these ways was that it led me to value my relationships with a completely new viewpoint, and make new friends I wouldn’t have otherwise.
As I enter my last year as a journalism student, interviewing all kinds of people has helped me strengthen my friendships and relationships in my personal life.
Here are some of the journalistic tips that I was able to use for my friendships:
- Get to know people outside of your immediate group
One of the best ways I have learned to look for stories as a journalist has been by searching in areas that I don’t normally visit. As a journalist, it is important to gain diverse perspectives as sources, and talk to people who aren’t in your everyday setting. Journalism has challenged me to go out of my comfort zone and talk to people outside my friend group.
The first reporting event I ever went to was a surfing competition, where I happened to chat with a surfer I kept in contact with for months. Part of getting over your initial fear of embarrassment in interviews translates to talking to strangers in your classes and around campus.
- Be an active listener
When performing an interview, it is important to be present and carefully listen to your source and follow up with questions that show you were actually hearing what they said. Searching for quick answers that fit what you, as a writer, think the story about often does not provide the most accurate and truthful story.
I try to practice this same skill in my friendships. Being available to thoughtfully listen to your friends when they are going through hardship, or even in their everyday life, is important to being an empathetic and caring friend. As journalists, we learn that the story isn’t about us; it’s about other people’s stories. With my friends, sometimes the most vital thing I can do is stop talking and deeply listen to them.
- Build rapport – keep in touch with people
Maintaining relationships and building rapport with sources is a great way to create trust. Keeping in touch before and after interviews provides a writer with additional opportunities to meet other contacts and use sources in future articles.
I’ve realized that keeping in touch with friends you don’t see as often is just as important. As I’ve gotten older and it has become harder to spontaneously hang out with changing schedules, I have learned that the best way to avoid losing relationships is by reaching out consistently. This means more than liking an old friend’s posts on social media and texting now and then (even if you might not need to). Give old friends from high school a call or make plans to catch up with your friends from the freshman year dorms.
- Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions
Something I’ve had to learn in my journalism career is that you will often have to ask tough questions of your sources in order to elicit emotional, raw answers. When sources have unique or traumatic experiences, it is important to ask questions that might feel uncomfortable to us. You don’t want to ask these questions out of the blue, but being vulnerable with your friends and going deeper with conversations strengthens the relationship.
- Dedicate time for casual hangouts
As a sophomore, I learned how important time management is to getting interviews and completing stories on time. Don’t wait to schedule out your days until you are in twenty units and two jobs like I did.
It has taken me until senior year to really figure out that if you want every activity to run smoothly, you have to have a plan. This is the same for interviews and friendships. As you get busier, it is important to have activities penciled into your schedule. I believe it shows care and dedication to the important people in your life if you ensure you have plans to get together.
- Be authentic
Not all journalistic writing allows you to put a lot of your personal creativity and voice into it, but you can find loopholes (hence my opinion writing). Being your authentic self in front of your friends brings you the best kind of people. I don’t shy away from hiding my goofy humor and outgoing personality from people anymore. Being fake to certain people isn’t respectful to them or yourself.
- Tell the truth
Truth-telling and providing the public with information are one of the most important pillars of journalism. Journalists seek to provide truth with our stories, shedding light on issues that we feel people should be informed about. My strongest relationships are built on honesty and truthfulness. Anytime I make a mistake with my roommates or need help, I have to be completely honest with them. This might suck in the moment, but it helps everyone involved come out stronger.
The main difference between friends and sources is that you aren’t going to write about your friend’s everyday experiences after they have a tea session with you.
But being a good journalist is similar to being a good friend; it takes time, patience and empathetic listening. I owe a lot of my success as a journalist to my friends, who always provided support and critique of myself and my work.