Stephanie Pompei Interview: Wednesday, February 5, 2014, 3:30-3:56 PM, Phone Who: Joshua Aromin Job Title: Associate

Editor of Special Publiations/Digital Media Coordinator Where: Rhode Island Monthly Magazine Description of the job - a hybrid job -Magazine appeals to all things Rhode Island -works with all magazines related (Home Design, Engaged Bridal...ect) -Different projects every day/ depends on the needs -works with digital media -Pieces vary about health, community, business, state tourism -Today he was working on printing and editing Where Joshua was originally from? -Cranston, Rhode Island What was Joshuas educational background? -Attended University of Rhode Island: Kingston, RI - heart set on Journalism right from the start Why University of Rhode Island? -Was accepted into University of Rhode Island, University of Hartford & UCONN -His first choice was UCONN (had friends who were going there) -URIs in-state tuition was the most reasonable When did he realize he wanted to be a journalist? -8th grade -enjoyed writing -interested in fiction writing -Realized he wanted to be a sports writer when Red sox won 2004 World Series -Read Amalie Benjamins articles in the Boston Globe What is his job history? -I Party from 12th grade in high school- 5th year in college -saw no reason to leave the job while in college -fun and easy 5 years of working -Took part in the college newspaper (Five Cent Cigar) -Internship at RI Monthly in 2010 -Made connections and a girl he knew thought hed be perfect for the job What did he learn throughout his career as a journalist? -hard to write with short word counts -hard to compact what he was writing if he wanted to say more -Need to make every word count -luckily with RI Monthly, doesnt worry about deadlines too much or short word counts -room to make a creative range lede If you had to define what a journalist is, what would your definition be?

-Someone that is collecting info that is important and explaining it so that the most important points are being said while making an impact -Trying to take what someone is saying and rewording it in a way to not lose the significance and honesty - (He had to really think about this question!) What is the best thing about being a journalist? -meeting people -hearing stories -communicating what these people are doing -the genuine impact it has What do you like least about your job as a journalist? -transcribing things -trying to pull quotes from a recording, that is tedious What do you think the most significant issue facing journalists today is? -journalism as an online presence -hard to transfer funds for an online presence -native advertising is the new word which is editorial sponsored by advertising -it crosses blurry lines -Like anything else: think of it as a business -journalists want to create valuable info -needs to be transparency from publications -the need to make money, but putting your name out there to trick your readers -Dont trick your readers! What was your favorite interview? - last summer with Brian Chapman, owns Chapman Cycles, Cranston, RI -so interested in his products -makes custom bikes, the measurements, parts had to be exact, specific for customer -thought it was so cool Would you want him to make you a custom bike one day? -Absolutley! Do you have any advice for an upcoming journalist such as myself? -have a wide skill set -good if you are familiar with updating websites -being technologically savvy is always helpful -enthusiasm to learn -it isnt just writing Do you see yourself in this career for the rest of your life? -Yes! -I really love what I do -Lucky to have known right away what he wanted to do

This was my first time conducting my own interview. It was nerve racking at first. It seemed like the day went by so slow and then the last half hour crept up so suddenly. I was practically shaking while practicing what I was going to say. My nerves got the best of me a couple times in the beginning. I even stuttered and forgot to ask a couple of details, but towards the end of the interview I started feeling more confident with myself and my speech. My biggest fear was how I word my questions. The original plan was that Joshua offered to meet me down on campus this Wednesday, but because of the storm, he cancelled and we had the interview over the phone. I was really excited to meet him in person and I dont always like talking on the phone. Not to put myself down, but I think I might have done better in person because I like to see people expressions and I like them to see mine as well. I like to make an impression on people. To me, its hard to always make people feel comfortable over the phone because there isnt much of a connection there. His advice definitely seemed valid to me. Everything he said rang a bell and I could really apply what he said to my future studies. He mentioned different aspects of technology playing an important role in this field because of the online presence of journalism today. I couldnt agree more and maybe taking more computer classes could potentially be beneficial to me and others as well. I learned that it is okay to be nervous. Im not exactly sure why I thought he would be so intimidating even over the phone. I guess there is no need to impress, which was the mentality I had at first. Now I think it is just great to be yourself and let your own personality shine in the interview too. Its about the interviewee, but if Im so nervous that Im not myself, the chances of someone doing another interview wouldnt be that high. The interviewees are real people too. Joshua made me feel comfortable throughout the interview and he even offered to answer any questions I might have in the future or to help out anytime if I need it. This was an awesome experience!