in shipping for school projects , which prepared me for time crunch situations in the workforce .
Overall , I loved my time on the Echo , and I wouldn ’ t trade it for the world .
Jenny Weis
CURRENT : communications director for the Alaska Program of Trout Unlimited , a nonprofit working to conserve wild salmon runs GRADUATED : 2006
The ability to put complex information , emotions or opinions into words suitable for sharing with the masses is priceless . The opportunity I had as a teenager to hone this skill while working in student media is something I value on a daily basis . Though I did not major in journalism in college , I gained an understanding of the basic functions of the newsroom in high school . This foundation freed me up to study other interests in college , but still pursue a career in communications .
Achieving protections for clean water and wild salmon runs requires educating the masses and motivating the public to speak up for their resources . In my job today , I pitch stories , ghost-write opinion articles , draft and edit press releases and use many other tools that I learned from working on the Echo to accomplish these goals . Aside from a solid grasp of writing mechanics , the two other critical skills of the writing process I gained and employ today include the ability to quickly capture readers ’ attention , and always asking myself , “ So what ?” to ensure that the information is delivered clearly , effectively and is tailored to my audience .
I could go on and on ! The strong writing skills I learned from Ms . Keekley and my classmates have been immensely useful throughout the early part of my career .
KT Lindemann
CURRENT : Digital communications specialist at the Office of Gov . Mark Dayton and Lt . Gov .
Tina Smith ( Minnesota ) GRADUATED : 2010
I oversee the web and social media presence of the office and create the majority of the content , including graphics , . gifs , photos , blog posts , web pages and more . I ’ m not exaggerating when I say it ’ s a dream job , and I have a student newspaper to thank for getting me here .
When people ask me how I got my start in communications and graphic design , I always mention the Echo . That ’ s where , as a teenager at a public high school , I was able to get my hands on industry-standard design tools and learn how to use them to communicate with my peers . I fell in love with typography and vector art and the the process of marrying information with visual intrigue to fill a space . I tinkered with Photoshop and InDesign late into the night , trying to fit together all the pieces of the print layout puzzle . I had the freedom to play and experiment and think creatively , but with an honest and knowledgeable adviser to help me recognize when something wasn ’ t working . Her words still ring in my head like a mantra : “ design , don ’ t decorate .”
As a staff , we were always encouraged to take cues from the big names in journalism and design . I remember flipping through books of awardwinning front page designs for inspiration , never once thinking that those stars were too high to reach . We were held to a standard beyond that of a high school paper , so we weren ’ t just a high school paper .
Every day , I use the lessons I learned during my time at The Echo to advance the priorities of the Governor ’ s office and inform Minnesotans about the issues that matter . The Echo taught me to manage my time with a fastapproaching deadline , a skill that comes in handy in the fast-paced world of government . I learned to collaborate , sometimes with folks who have different opinions and priorities , and to communicate my ideas clearly and assertively .
I can say with absolute confidence that The Echo kickstarted my career , and I certainly wouldn ’ t be on this path without it .
Andrea ( Bouchard ) Fraser
CURRENT : Has a small company in educational services in Hong Kong
GRADUATED : 2006
The Echo forced me to take grammar , style , and conciseness seriously . Oh , the hours spent on ‘ late night ’ just trying to cut a few words ! I am now in Hong Kong ( for the past six years ) running my own small company in educational services . Those skills that I learned when I worked at the Echo are helpful because I use them on a daily basis in my communication with clients and in guiding students in their own writing from English literature papers to SAT / ACT essays to personal statements .
in shipping for school projects,
which prepared me for time crunch
situations in the workforce.
Overall, I loved my time on the Echo,
and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
I could go on and on! The strong
writing skills I learned from Ms.
Keekley and my classmates have been
immensely useful throughout the
early part of my career.
KT Lindemann
Jenny Weis CURRENT: Digital communications specialist
CURRENT: communications director for the at the Office of Gov. Mark Dayton and Lt. Gov.
Alaska Program of Trout Unlimited, a non- Tina Smith (Minnesota)
profit working to conserve wild salmon runs GRADUATED: 2010
GRADUATED: 2006
The ability to put complex
information, emotions or opinions
into words suitable for sharing
with the masses is priceless. The
opportunity I had as a teenager
to hone this skill while working in
student media is something I value on
a daily basis. Though I did not major
in journalism in college, I gained an
understanding of the basic functions
of the newsroom in high school. This
foundation freed me up to study
other interests in college, but still
pursue a career in communications.
Achieving protections for clean
water and wild salmon runs requires
educating the masses and motivating
the public to speak up for their
resources. In my job today, I pitch
stories, ghost-write opinion articles,
draft and edit press releases and use
many other tools that I learned from
working on the Echo to accomplish
these goals. Aside from a solid
grasp of writing mechanics, the two
other critical skills of the writing
process I gained and employ today
include the ability to quickly capture
readers’ attention, and always asking
myself, “So what?” to ensure that
the information is delivered clearly,
effectively and is tailored to my
audience.
I oversee the web and social media
presence of the office and create the
majority of the content, including
graphics, .gifs, photos, blog posts,
web pages and more. I’m not
exaggerating when I say it’s a dream
job, and I have a student newspaper
to thank for getting me here.
When people ask me how I got my
start in communications and graphic
design, I always mention the Echo.
That’s where, as a teenager at a public
high school, I was able to get my
hands on industry-standard design
tools and learn how to use them to
communicate with my peers. I fell
in love with typography and vector
art and the the process of marrying
information with visual intrigue to fill
a space. I tinkered with Photoshop
and InDesign late into the night,
trying to fit together all the pieces
of the print layout puzzle. I had the
freedom to play and experiment and
think creatively, but with an honest
and knowledgeable adviser to help
me recognize when something wasn’t
working. Her words still ring in my
head like a mantra: “design, don e)Ʌєt)́хݔݕɔ݅́Ʌ)ѼхՕ́ɽѡ́)ɹʹͥ$ɕ)ѡɽ՝́݅ɐ)ݥɽЁͥ́)Ʌѥٕȁѡѡ)ѡ͔х́ݕɔѽѼɕ])ݕɔѼхɐ役ѡ)͍Ȱͼݔݕɕe)Ё͍ȸ)ٕ䁑䰁$͔ѡͽ́$)ɹɥѥЁQ)Ѽمѡɥɥѥ́)ѡ ٕɹˊéɴ)5ͽх́ЁѡՕ)ѡЁѕȸQх՝Ё)ѼѥݥѠд)ɽͭѡ)́䁥ѡе)ݽɱٕɹи$ɹѼ)Ʌєͽѥ́ݥѠ)ݡٔɕЁ́)ɥɥѥ̰Ѽչє)́ɱ䁅͕ѥٕ)$ͅݥѠͽє)ѡЁQхѕ䁍ɕȰ)$хݽձeЁѡ)ѠݥѡЁи)ɕ ՍɐɅ͕)
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