1-Year Review

I got an inter-office message from the executive editor's secretary that I had an appointment with the executive editor on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 4:30 p.m.

Yup...it was time for my one-year review.

I got to work at 3:30 p.m. (shift starts at 4 p.m.) on Thursday and did my normal routine. I checked my inter-office messages, I checked my work e-mail, checked my hotmail account, check my yahoo account and then checked my voicemail.

On this particular day, I had no angry parents, no irate coaches and no enraged athletic directors telling me off via e-mail or voicemail. Or both. So, the previous day, obviously, was a success.

A quick digression.

I recently sent out an e-mail over the Young Black Journalist listserve that my paper, the Asbury Park Press, is hiring. I put in a solid word for a friend from Boston and he came in for an all-day interview on Thursday, September 15th. The following week he had an offer and he recently accepted. So, I have unofficially added minority recruiter to my job description. Anyhow, I started to print out the resumes that I received via e-mail and later handed them to my executive editor in a manila folder.

Back to my reguarly scheduled entry

O.k...I look up after printing the resumes and it is 4:20 p.m. I walk the 1/4 mile to the executive editor's office and knock on his door. He beckoned me to sit down in the chair. About a year ago, I saw in that very same chair and had to answer the question. "Why should I hire you?" my executive editor asked in August of 2004. I don't remember my exact answer but as you can see, I got the job. So, I wasn't intimidated this time as an incumbent.

He pulled out a folder and paraphrased what my supervisor and my sports editor had said in my evaluation. He said they gave me outstanding marks in all areas. He also said he was very impressed with my work in year one (and cited some specific stories that I had written). Basically, he was beating around the bush to say that I would getting raise, effective in my new check. Now, I didn't expect a raise considering that I've only been there a year and some change but hearing the words come out of his mouth was kind of sweet.

Now, he proceeded to the Q & A session.

Him: Are you happy here?
Me: With the exception of having a desk next to a diehard Mets fan, yes I'm happy here. New Jersey has grown on me a little bit and my supervisor has done everything in her power to accomodate my few time off issues.
Him: I want you to be happy here if there is ever anything that I can do to help you... let me know. I can't help you if I don't know if there is a problem.

Him: What's your dream job?
Me: Covering college basketball or the NBA. I like football and baseball too but basketball is the sport that I have the most knowledge about.
Him: Well, we would like to get you out to do some college basketball or mabye even the Nets but right now the economy is rough and we will be scaling back on the travel budget for sports.

Him: Would you ever consider switching to a news reporter?
Me: Not right now. Sports is my passion and it is what I know the best. I can't say never but right now, I'm in the zone with sports.

Him: Would you ever consider a position in management?
Me: (I was frozen by this question). Wow. Honestly, I never really thought about management. I love being a reporter.
Him: Well, keep that in mind. You never know when a position might open up.

We shook hands and I walked the 1/4 mile back to my desk. I couldn't get his last question out of my mind. Did I miss a hint? I'm not sure. I finished the rest of my shift and drove home thinking about it some more.

For those of you that know me, how do you think I would do in management?