Editing for Excellence
Written By Daisy Willis
UH Hilo ALEX Spring 2015 Student Interns pose with ALEX Director, Dr. Thomas DeWitt. Photo provided by ALEX.
Here at the Office of Applied Learning Experiences we offer many opportunities for students to become familiar with the experience of being an intern. We prepare students for working in the real world by placing them in internships both in the community and right here on campus. ALEX Online is just one of the opportunities available to students, and there are currently four student interns working to write the articles and maintain the website.
Amber Manini, a Senior Majoring in Communications and Hawaiian Studies, is the current editor for ALEX Online and she oversees the daily operations of this online magazine. Although her official title is “editor” she feels as though her job encompases much more. She is responsible for following up with student intern reporters and facilitating weekly reporter meetings in order to keep the articles on track both according to deadlines and to content. She is constantly checking the ALEX Online Magazine analytics to monitor the number of views our page receives, as well as publishing the articles in a timely manner. As the head editor, she has final approval of the articles written, and does basic editing of all the work her reporters turn in. She also manages the flow of the articles, making sure that topics aren’t repeated and that articles are published at consistent intervals. On top of all that, she is also responsible for creating and managing Stall Talk, as well as producing and managing UH Hilo Point of Pride.
UH Hilo Spring 2015 ALEX Intern Editor, Amber Manini. Photo provided by Amber Manini.
This may seem like a huge job on paper, but Amber loves her position at ALEX and has benefited from the work immensely. In an interview, Amber spoke about the things she has learned as the editor, saying “I have definitely learned how to use time management and [how to] prioritize things. Overall, I have learned [that] the most important lesson is to value each day - to think that each day is your last - because in doing so you produce some of your best results. I can still remember being offered the ALEX Editor position and how hesitant I was to take on such a "big" responsibility. But I guess when you love what you do, doing it becomes the easiest part.”
As the semester comes to a close, ALEX is looking for new interns to fill these positions. If you are interested in trying your hand as a student reporter or even as an editor, then contact Amber Manini at maninia@hawaii.edu. She will provide you with any technical information you may need as well as words of wisdom for anyone seriously considering the position. Apply to become an ALEX intern today!
