One of the more popular questions I get is “How’d
you start working for the newspaper?” Well, it began
innocently enough as something to have fun with “on the
side” during my freshman year.
Four years later, my involvement in the Daily Bruin can be
categorized as many things except “on the side.”
As an engineering major, I never dreamed that newspaper
photography would ever have this much pull in my life. Truth be
told, the DB became the yin to the yang that is
engineering. I’ve hated the DB, and I’ve loved the
DB “¦ often at the same time.
In any case here’s some of what four years of suffering
and ecstasy has taught me:Â No matter how much you beg them to,
your friends still won’t read the newspaper everyday. Be nice
to the people who work the stadium. Most of the 90+ national
championships we have aren’t won by football or basketball
players. Integrity is about what you do when no one is looking. You
can’t please everyone. It isn’t about the half a peanut
pay. Don’t be afraid of the truth. Speak your mind, but be
prepared to deal with the consequences. Always ask how you can make
things better. It is always about the politics. There really is no
better feeling in the world than when you have gotten “the
shot” (tragically, writers will never know this joy). If you
don’t take the initiative, no one else will. Talk and listen
to people, hear what they have to say. Be nice to photographers;
they are out on the field getting dirty while the writers are in
the shade. The Daily Bruin is an amazing organization.
Before I finish I’d just like to say thanks to: My parents
for supporting my involvement, Benson for being a great roommate
for four years, Sam and Stacy for being great friends, the softball
team for winning an NCAA Championship on my last DB trip, my
friends past and present in photo ““ KE, CB, CJ, BOB, MYC
(plus everyone else I didn’t name!) and last but not least
Nicole K. for caring about me.
Lin was a Daily Bruin assistant photo editor.