So Many Faces

My feature hunt assignment was assigned in the area consisting of the Humanities Building, the Library, the Student Activities Center, and the Administration Buildings of El Camino College.

At first i took the approach of selecting random individuals, from my area, and asking them interesting questions. For example, I would ask, "What are your hobbies?", "Do you do anything unusual, play a sport, or are you an international student?" Then, I would elaborate on these topics, if they let me. Some of the individuals I would ask would be passive, look at me weird or think I was another person asking them to buy something. Some people were very nice, and talkative and helpful.

The other approach I took to this assignment was by asking some acquaintances that were in my area. They were more than happy to be apart of my quest for finding a feature story, of course.

The characters I ended up narrowing down were writing about the new policy in the Writing Center, and how it affects certain students who use the facility, as well as the faculty. Another feature idea, I got was what it's like to be a student employee for El Camino College. Also, one of my encounters were the idea of writing on the new area of the Library, upstairs and the walks of life that use it on a daily basis. Lastly, the idea was proposed to write on the Students Activities Center and the two board members of the Associated Students Organization and what they do and as individuals, what their job ensues.

I met many different walks of life on this feature hunt, which allowed me to broaden my horizons on exactly how to get ideas for feature stories. It's more of a creative aspect to journalism and, I believe, is more fun than writing news stories. It allows for enculturation, and is a bit more challenging because you're not writing on on day to day events. You discuss more uncommon societal issues that intertwine with the hard news.

Experiences in the Field

I was a bit nervous as my first interview as a journalist student was about to occur. It was with an acquaintance, Isel Chevarria. She works in the writing center and is a free spirited individual. As I walked into the Writing Center at El Camino College, it was bustling with people. Isel greeted me in the back and the interview began.

She was never apprehensive and the interview flowed very smoothly and freely. This is what makes her a great employee for student services at El Camino. As I observe her help the students, she does it with passion and grace. "Everyday I meet so many different people," she said. "It's really fulfilling to help others and see the impact I make when helping them. I love it, not to mention the convenience and location." I asked the easier questions first and then the harder, more brave questions last.

Chevarria encourages other students to follow her and become student employees on campus. Juggling school and employment is a challenge amongst most college students. "Sometimes it can be annoying having to go to work but usually my bosses are really flexible with scheduling around finals and stuff like that" Chevarria said. This is one of the perks of working on campus, as most other jobs would not be as flexible or understanding. She, even inspired me to apply for a job on campus. She went on to say, "It has allowed me to open up inside El Camino and exposed me to many opportunities I wouldn't have had if I weren't working on campus." Chevarria explains to me that she has encountered many relationships with professors, students and various campus employees which have led to references, and some internships. This has helped her get into the university of her choice. She will be attending CSULB in the fall and is looking forward to this new endeavor.

I met one of Chevarria's long time friends, Wendy Jiminez, and she cannot stop explaining her personality traits. "Isel has always put others before her, so it never surprised me that she loves her job," she said. "That's just what type of person she is." By meeting one of Chevarria's friend it gave me insight and allowed me to get a deeper understanding of her character. This displayed to me how to conduct an interview and use other sources when interviewing one individual for more insight.

Chevarria has a prospective future because of her experience working on campus at El Camino College. She continuously goes above and beyond. "Being honest when someone asks a question and if I don't know the answer, I will find it out for them. I won't give them the wrong information and act like I know."

For more information visit: www.elcamino.edu