Journalism recruiter speaks on diversity

Joe Grimm is a recruiting and development editor for the Detroit Free Press.

By Carolina Astrain

Published Sept. 15, 2006

"Well, the first thing I can tell you about is meeting a deadline," said Joe Grimm, recruiting and development editor for the Detroit Free Press, as he stepped in 45 minutes late to Gannett Hall's Tucker Forum.

Sponsored by the Asian American Student Journalists Association, the National Black Journalists Association and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and Career Services Assistant Director Phousavanh Sengsavanh, the diversity discussion opened the floor for a look into Grimm's real world and newsroom experience.

"It was an excellent experience being able to hear other peoples' viewpoints on issues that we all face, as well as being provided with useful information on how to deal with ethic relations within the professional environment and advice on how to establish oneself in the journalism field," freshman Christian Holley said. "Several of my questions were answered about how to secure internships."

Grimm spoke about reporters being "bought out," meaning they get compensation for the amount of clippings and years of service they put into a single publication.

Grimm said buyouts have forced most black and Hispanic journalists out of newsrooms, a move which has led to less diversity.

Graduate student Laura Pohl said Grimm is known as one of the best recruiters in the business of journalism, and he is well known for creating a balance in the office. Grimm encouraged freshmen and sophomores to get acquainted with recruiters and their aspiring industries early.

Media industries have to increase the number of minority employees, Grimm said.

Grimm regularly recruits at MU School of Journalism job fairs.

Grimm recruited AASJA President Conning Chu to intern at the Omaha World-Herald for a 12-week reporting internship. She said she not only got great journalism experience, but she also gained life experience.

"Before landing this internship, I had another one at a really small newsroom, but even though it was a small paper, the whole time I had this smile on my face because I realized, 'Wow, this is a really great experience, and I'm so happy about getting to do this everyday,'" Chu said. "You're around so many new and different people, and then it's just like an addiction where you always want to continue reporting the news. Quite frankly, it's fun."

Grimm will recruit at the Missouri School of Journalism's sixth annual Media Career Fair on Oct. 18 and 19.

Main points in Grimm's presentation included pushing leadership potential, picking battles, networking and having genuine traits of integrity and character. Grimm mentioned that there are people who do networking the wrong way by making it about themselves, when instead they should value their contacts and let them into shared networks, creating an equal trade of information.

"Especially with this new movement into convergence journalism, we need to suppress our selfish competitive natures and act as collaborators in order to successfully converge the media," Grimm said.

Junior Nailah Sims said she liked how he answered questions about being a minority in the newsroom.

"I also liked how he talked about networking, which is what I personally need to work on when going to events and conventions," Sims said. "He also touched on how diversity isn't just racial, but how it's also about different intellectual levels and having an authentic culture."