As a sophomore, I was looking to put myself out there more and find a club to join that would interest me. I ended up at The Chanticleer, which turned out to be a perfect fit.
A few months ago, I was chosen to take part in The Chanticleer’s Candidate Program. The entire process, while seeming daunting, was one of the most exciting and rewarding experiences I’ve had at Coastal. I was able to write about interesting events, while making connections with people and professors of different majors and backgrounds.
To get into the Candidate Program, a student interested in joining must first attend tryouts. The thought of trying out for a newspaper team was quite worrying since I was unaware of what I needed to do, but it was honestly a really relaxed environment.
There were multiple sections to the writing portion of the tryout. One section was personal information, such as name or other organizations you are currently a member of. The next section was based on pop culture or Coastal Carolina trivia style questions, and the last was to create a mock article based on information from a fake news event.
After the tryouts, students attend an interview with members of The Chanticleer.
The interview involves going over what you wrote in the written portion and answering different hypothetical questions. This was the scariest part of the process for me; I was worried about the types of questions I would be asked and how the interviewers would interpret what I said. However, it was honestly an extremely nice conversation and everyone I spoke to was kind and understanding.
Then, I was chosen with a handful of other students to take part in The Chanticleer’s Candidate Program.
In the program, there are nine classes that go over the important aspects of reporting. As you attend classes, publish articles and complete tasks, you’ll gain points, and you need 60 points to become an official reporter.
The Candidate Program is an experience that grows individuals into better people and better writers. I truly believe if someone has a passion for writing and a willingness to work and try, they will make a great addition to The Chanticleer.
