Name: Michael Rushton
Job: Roving Sports Editor for The Sports Network, a wire service located in Hatboro, Pa.
What are your responsibilities? I am responsible for writing previews for that day’s games for the NBA, NHL and MLB with a 10:30 a.m. (EST) deadline. I also am responsible for writing previews for NFL games with a deadline of Thursday afternoon. I also update team depth charts, write weekly/bi-weekly team reports and occasionally write columns.
What's a typical workday? My day begins with finishing my daily previews for whatever league is in season. This involves the previous games results as well as researching a variety of statistics. In the afternoon, I begin research and writing for the next day's previews as well as the construction of various team reports. Essentially, the afternoon is spent either writing team reports, working on NFL previews when in season or working ahead for the next day as much as possible.
What do you like/dislike about the job? I enjoy writing about sports as it is a hobby of mine. I also enjoy the freedom of opinion I am given in team reports and columns. I dislike being stuck in an office and not in locker rooms or doing face-to-face interviews Most quotes are obtained from releases and email responses.
Background: Received an associates degree in journalism from Bucks County Community College in Newtown, Pa. Received a bachelors degree in Journalism from Temple University in Philadelphia. Had an internship in the sports department of the Bucks County Courier Times while attending BCCC.
What are the skills young journalists need today? The ability to navigate and do quick, effective research online. The ability to ask the right questions in sometimes short interviews. They must continue to keep up and stay knowledgeable in the field they cover.
Any advice to aspiring journalists? Get a second job... Also, write, write write as much as you can. Avoid becoming a "blog" writer if you can until your employment requires it, as I believe you lose necessary research skills as well as the ability to stay unbiased.
Any additional comments? Journalism is shifting more and more toward all things online...keep that in mind.
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