The Phoenix News has been the student newspaper since 1989, originally started by students at Okanagan College. The paper transitioned to Okanagan University College in 1993, and finally to UBC Okanagan in 2006. The Phoenix News offers a terrific opportunity for students to support the public culture of our campus by participating in and sharing with the student body relevant news and information.
The paper is currently made up of a team of ten people including staff editors, the coordinating editor, the photo editor, a marketing strategist, web editor, and the editor in chief. The paper is also supported by a faculty advisor each year.
Student newspapers offer opportunities to learn about journalism, digital publishing, communication, coding, social media management, design, marketing, project management, and other career-oriented skills, explains George Grinnell, this year’s faculty advisor.
“The most important opportunity the paper offers is the capacity to address pressing matters and to ask questions of the university on behalf of its students. Speaking truth to power is the hallmark of media, and student newspapers are at their very best when they do so.”
We spoke to two of our students in the English program to get their perspective on being part of the Phoenix team and the impact that will have on them for their futures.
Carolina Leyton
Carolina Leyton is a fourth year English Honours student, and is currently the Editor in Chief for the paper.
How did you get involved with the Phoenix?
I got involved with the Phoenix in 2019. I saw the poster that they were looking for writers and editors, so I applied to the email that was provided. I was really aiming to just be a contributor, even if it meant not getting paid because I just wanted to have my writing out somewhere and I wanted to get involved. Little did I know that I would become the Life Editor for that year and later on, Editor in Chief.
What has this opportunity done for you as a student and as a writer?
This is going to be valuable experience to put in my CV. I think that it is important for any sort of job that people see that you are able to clearly communicate an opinion, so the experience is invaluable. Personally, I want to be a writer and you really just need to write to do that. The Phoenix gave me the chance to hone in on my skill weekly, and has given me exposure with my writing. Finally, and I think the most important thing, the Phoenix gave me a team in which I trust and who always have my back. I really wanted to cement the idea that, even though each person writes their own article, we always have to openly communicate and be able to ask for help and ideas when we need it. It has been great so far and I really love this year’s team.
What are your thoughts on the future for the paper?
I want to sketch out a growth plan for the EICs to come and a sort of manual that contains all the information necessary to run the Phoenix. I don’t want the excellent content and our incredible outreach to stop once I am gone. Bearing in mind the resources we have available, I am hoping that we can become a reputable news source for the wider Okanagan area and, most importantly, an opportunity for all UBCO students to openly share all their thoughts and ideas.
Jayme Miller
Arts Editor Jayme Miller, an English Major graduating this year, is looking towards a career as a freelance writer.
How did you get involved with the Phoenix?
I was friends with the previous Arts Editor at The Phoenix, so when he graduated he encouraged me to apply for the role as he had really enjoyed doing it. I’m very glad that I took on the role, despite being hesitant as I had a full course load and already an overwhelming amount of reading and writing to do.
How do you come up with ideas for stories?
Coming up with the pitches is a mixture of pursuing my own interests, keeping up with what’s going on artistically and culturally at UBCO/Kelowna/worldwide, and making sure that other students/alumni voices are heard and amplified. I never want the Arts section to simply be my own perspective on arts and culture, I hope it can showcase a diverse perspective on things.
What has this opportunity done for you as a student and as a writer?
I’m so glad I took on this role because it is an amazing thing to have on my resume and I’ve learned a lot. For example, I had never really interviewed people before, but since joining the Phoenix team I have interviewed many different people and become quite comfortable with asking questions and chatting with total strangers. As a very recent graduate, I have been applying for different writing jobs, and so being able to say I’ve worked as an editor and have examples of published work is an excellent asset for me.
The Phoenix welcomes submission ideas from UBCO students in any discipline with a passion for writing and for their university. Carolina notes that these are low commitment positions, the contributor can write an article once a month, or whenever fits their schedule.
Any student wishing to get involved with the Phoenix News is asked to contact eic@thephoenixnews.com.