Why not work for The Beacon?

By Brian Doyle, Guest Commentary

Question: you like telling stories, don't you? I mean, that's why you have friends, and that's why people enjoy your company, and that's why you enjoy their company, largely because you share stories that make you laugh and think and sometimes even move you to the bottom of your soul.  

So why not work for The Beacon?

 Question: You like getting paid, don't you? For work that you like, rather than work you can't stand?

So why not work for The Beacon?

Question: You do actually have free hours in your schedule, don't you? Let's be real - for all the academic load, and the dim beginnings of career planning, and the hours you set aside for working out, and the hours you spend hanging out with your friends, you have free time - sure you do. 

So why not work for The Beacon?

 Question: You're actually taking a cold look at your resume this year, aren't you? And beyond the excellent grade-point and occasional service project there's not a whole lot that leaps off the page for potential employers, is there? And those employers, no matter what business they are in, are particularly interested in employees who can communicate clearly and memorably, who are good at collecting and gathering information and story and opinion, who are comfortable with people, who are articulate and empathetic, who can write and photograph and shape stories electronically.

So why not work for The Beacon?

 Let's review. There are jobs available on campus next year for which you get paid cold cash, jobs that are fun and entertaining, jobs that will add a lovely interesting line to your resume, jobs that will hone and focus your skills with people and communication, jobs that have to do not with hauling rocks or digging ditches or slogging asphalt on highways, but asking questions and collecting tales and savoring the sweet wild stories of other holy beings.

So you will be applying for The Beacon, right?

Brian Doyle is the editor of the University's renowned Portland Magazine, and yes indeed he worked for his college paper and loved every minute of it. He can be reached at bdoyle@up.edu.