Our tour of The Daily Beast: It's not always about the name

Students listen to editor Bryan Curtis at The Daily Beast on Wednesday afternoon. (Photo Credit: Brian Rokus '99)

By Joanne Yi (Los Angeles, CA)

Despite the excruciating pain in my feet from walking around in heels all day and the discomfort of wearing such formal attire, the trip to New York opened my eyes to the professional world of journalism. We took a charter bus around the city to The New York Times, The Daily Beast, CNN and Time Inc. -- all different forms of media -- and after the energy-draining tours, we were released into the streets for man-on-the-street interviews.

The Daily Beast definitely stood out from the rest. I found it to have the most relaxing environment, allowing any worker to create a niche for him or herself in its bright and colorful floor. Everyone was extremely friendly and laid back. Besides the relaxed atmosphere, The Daily Beast offers employees a unique journalism experience. What do I mean by that? Well, at bigger, more prominent publications, like The New York Times, climbing the ladder is tough for any writer. The Daily Beast, on the other hand, is one of many small, yet rapidly expanding news website businesses that provide more leeway. You can be an editor and still write for the website like one of our SJP counselors, Ben Crair.

I’ve always dreamed of working at one of the large newspaper publications, but the trip to New York showed me how it’s not always about the name. What’s more important is the experience. You can be in either of two situations: being a part of a big group and making a small difference or being a part of a small group and playing a large role in the company. I don’t know about you, but the second choice sounds much more appealing, especially when starting off in the journalism business. The big guys at the top can wait.