managing awe

I remember the first news room I entered.

I'd been called in for an interview at the Watertown Daily Times to fill a position of general assignment clerk. I was 18 or 19. I'd made the decision to go into journalism, but had never seen a newsroom, written a story or taken a class.

I was young, socially awkward, fearful, and insecure.

The newspaper office was in an old bank building and the receptionist sent me up a long flight of stairs to the editor's office. He was nice, and gave me a tour of the newsroom. Or, more like stood at one end and pointed.

I was in awe.

There's something awe-ing about newsrooms. They're mystical places, the core of information, the pulse of a community. And behind it all are individuals doing their job for a greater purpose then a paycheck.

Starting Monday I'm taking over the command center of one newspaper. Well, I guess technically it started yesterday in the way of meetings, conversations, planning, and later an email to all the reporters, editors and photographers letting them know of a meeting I called Monday morning, what to bring and what to expect.

Micah's referring to me as the CEO, but I'm far from that. I'm the new city editor, and to put it in one sentence: I manage, organize and plan for all the local content in the daily newspaper.

I'm excited, I'm nervous, I'm managing awe.