I HOPE FOR CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM, NOT EMPTY PRAISE

I remember being confused in elementary school when I heard a classmate tell me: “You’re someone people either absolutely hate or absolutely love.”

Now that I am in college, I realize not only what those words mean, but also that as far as the workforce goes, I care little about whether someone loves me or not. To work well under pressure, I simply ask for respect.

In the process of building who I want to be, I have discovered how far I am from perfect.

So when I am around colleagues, especially in the journalism industry, where so many colorful personalities mix, I do not expect instant affection or admiration.

For the past four months, I was an intern at Univision San Diego. I took comfort in the days I walked into the newsroom. All the buzz from the rest of the world faded as I focused on the clicking of the keys and whichever news story was in front of me.

Nothing mattered at that moment, including my woes. Whatever issues I was dealing with on the way to the office were moved toward the back of my mind while I was focusing on the first task of the workday. My supervisors did not coddle me when I made a mistake, but instead they immediately corrected it. I hoped their confidence in my ability to take criticism showed them I take my work seriously.

According to the National Association of Postal Supervisors, “Being authentic and sincere in your interaction with others is a wonderful way to make others feel valued.” But what do you do when your sincere view of someone is that you simply do not get along or have different sets of ethics?

While positivity in a work environment can create more productivity in employees, I don’t need my co-workers to like me. What I do need from them is respect. What I stand to learn from my co-workers is invaluable when that respect is there. It seems that providing learning opportunities encourages employees to be more efficient in their roles, according to Ottawa University.

I’ve also learned that being in a professional news environment is different than a classroom or a college newspaper space. I spent a few years writing for San Diego State University’s independent student newspaper, The Daily Aztec, and I have to admit I enjoyed receiving constructive criticism.

At the college paper, my colleagues often provided positive affirmations, but I felt most satisfied whenever they shared tips on how to best execute an interview or how to work through emotional turmoil while researching a sensitive topic. I liked getting caught up in the details some would consider boring. As I reflect now on my time there, I’m reminded that I worked best when I felt challenged. This is a good thing considering the range of stories we journalists need to tell expands as time goes on. Challenge inspires change.

There was barely time for pleasantries, but the truth is I am not always in need of them. I felt respected every time I was told about a story first or I was trusted to cover an event. I felt respected whenever I was reminded that I am entitled to a break, too, because my co-workers wanted to make sure I did not burn out.

Empty words of encouragement did not make me work harder. I preferred the moments an editor responded to my call and helped me be better at my job.

At all times, I knew I could face challenges when covering an event, because not everyone wants to talk to journalists. Sometimes people distrust the media, but what made me write was not the promise of an award or title, although, yes, it feels good to receive those.

Who I am to others matters less to me than what I am for them.

For example, I enjoy listening to the stories people want to tell me about themselves, their communities and what’s happening in their day-to-day lives. I consider myself a listener for storytellers.

Sometimes I see myself as a reader, and sometimes I am the pen. For an editor, I try to be a hard-working reporter. I try to show respect towards them by valuing their time and accepting the constructive criticism they provide.

To some bosses, I will simply be an employee. I don’t care so much if they think I’m the most likable employee they’ve ever had. I do, however, care about the work I put out and that I fulfill whatever is asked of me.

If my employer expects my best work, I do not need his fake kindness, but instead I need his honest critique. I care less about the pat on the back than I do about the time he took to answer my call because he knew it must have been important.

To me, that is respectful because it shows he believes in my desire to be better. And, ultimately, that is what we all want, isn’t it?

As a journalist, I like getting caught up in the details that some would consider boring. I’m reminded that I work best when I feel challenged.