Journalism students learn from a distinguished pro

Jackie Jones, a former editor for The Washington Post, has spent her career working at more than 11 news services, but she tells VCU students not to resent small beginnings.

“When you’re young, you’re in a hurry. You want the best beats, the best hours, the best days off. You want to be a rock star,” Jones said. “But sometimes in your haste to achieve, you pass up or ignore the journey along the way.”

Jones came to VCU after she was awarded the 2007 Virginius Dabney Distinguished Professorship.

The School of Mass Communications has granted the Dabney award to selected journalists annually since 1988 with an endowment by Richmond Times-Dispatch and Media General Inc.

The professorship gives students and faculty an opportunity to learn from professionals in the media world.

Jones currently teaches a weekly editing class to print journalism students.

“The Dabney professor is always someone who has an expertise in an area that we don’t normally teach,” said Judy VanSlyke Turk, director of the School of Mass Communications. “We also like to get people who have unusual jobs. I met Jackie . and I knew that she had been at the Post and . that she is a writing and editing coach these days. And I thought, ‘That’s different.’ “

Jones worked as a reporter in four cities,
including Detroit and Baltimore, and has also held various editing positions at six newspapers, including the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Philadelphia Daily News and New York Newsday.

Jones’ first job was a two-year position at Mutual Broadcasting in Washington, D.C., editing tapes for news and sports departments.

Jones said her passion for journalism began years before, as she studied at George Washington University and began writing for its student newspaper, The Hatchet.

“I did a story for the GW Hatchet on the university’s food service,” Jones said. “Students complained about the food and would periodically bring food samples to the office to back up their claims. Someone brought a saucer of asparagus to the newsroom that had twigs in it.”

Jones said that when she began reporting on the situation, she met several barriers, including the food service managers shrugging off the twigs by telling her the cafeteria asparagus had “a wood-like consistency.”

Jones said her reporting required the school to take action.

“It forced the university to put out new bids and made the food service clean up its act in an effort to retain the contract – which it did, ultimately. The meals got better, and the selections became more diverse.”

Jones said as soon as she saw that her reporting had an effect, she was hooked.

“What sold me on journalism was learning that I could make a difference, as clichéd as that sounds,” Jones said. “Working for the student newspaper best prepared me for my career.”

Mary Katheryn Luther, a print journalism
major who is enrolled in Jones’ editing class, said she is learning from Jones’ personal experiences.”

Jackie’s real-world, real-life experience
makes the class worthwhile,” Luther said.

Stacy Tyler, a print journalism major, said she has benefited from the class and appreciates Jones’ teaching style.

“She brings enthusiasm to the classroom,
which encourages us to ask questions
and get involved in the discussion,” Tyler said. “She is always friendly and approachable.”

Jones said the main goal of her editing
class is to teach students the value, philosophy and purpose of editing. She said she wants students to gain passion for editing.

“A lot of students don’t see editing as a glamorous job,” Jones said.

Bonnie Davis, associate professor of mass communications, said VCU is very pleased to have Jones teaching the editing course.

“We are thrilled to have someone of Jackie’s caliber join us this semester,” Davis said. “Jackie is a news veteran and has spent considerable time in the classroom teaching future journalists.”

Her advice to students who are just leaping into their professional careers is to be open-minded.

“Try a little bit of everything before you make up your mind,” she said.

Jones said students are most interested in working in big cities with thriving social scenes. She suggested students not be opposed to working in places they didn’t originally consider.

“I would encourage students to look at smaller markets because that’s where the opportunities are,” Jones said.

For all students, Jones said, enjoy every opportunity along the way – whether a prestigious position or a fresh-out-of-college job.

“I wish I had known earlier to take my time, to treat every assignment as an opportunity and to be open to trying things I might never have thought of doing on my own,” Jones said.

Jones currently works as the director of Jones Coaching LLC, a personal development and consulting service, and is a Washington, D.C.-based correspondent
for BlackAmericaWeb.com, the Web site affiliated with the Tom Joyner Morning Show.