“Our school needs journalists,” said Eddie Ustaszewski, an arts and entertainment writer for The Current, Brookdale’s student newspaper.
‘The Current’ staff is looking to expand their team and public outreach for the Spring 2022 semester. With Brookdale being a two-year institution, it proves to be a struggle for the club to maintain a roster of students who are committed to the success of the paper, as well as dedicated readers.
While the spring semester is the end of the road for graduating students, it is never too late to join ‘The Current’s’ team. As someone who is looking to go into the journalism field, Ustaszewski, an active member of the paper, said that writing for the paper is beneficial for students’ future in the workplace.
“I believe that if you are studying journalism or English, being a part of our team can really help you excel in your desired career.”
Another member, Giulia Campora, is also looking to pursue a career in journalism as a writer for magazines, and believes that “writing for The Current is really going to help in the future.”
Finding a place to fit in and feel comfortable during college years can be tricky. Luckily, ‘The Current,’ which can be found at bcccurrent.com, promotes itself as a very inclusive club that tries to make new members feel confident in their writing skills.
“Every single member of our staff is great and is always willing to help new members create their first pieces,” Ustaszewski said. “The most important thing you can do is come into the club with a positive mindset and simply try your best.”
“Our club is an overall great environment to be a part of,” Campora agreed. “We are always there to support one another and make writing something that is fun for both the writers and the readers.”
Editor of ‘The Current,’ Joe Malanaphy, said “The Current is a terrific place for aspiring writers and journalists to come and get hands-on experience while both learning from and helping those around them who have similar aspirations.”
“Students being able to freely voice their thoughts and concerns is so incredibly important. ‘The Current’ gives them a platform to use that voice and express themselves,” Malanaphy said.
Current staff members are actively planning ways to encourage students from any major to join the club and read their work. Their first initiative this semester is posting flyers around the Brookdale campus with information on where and when the group’s meetings take place, and how interested readers can access the paper itself.
The next edition of The Current will be published March 1. The Current club will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, via Zoom. Email [email protected] to request the link. Members will hold an in-person meeting at 4 p.m. March 23 in the newspaper office on the lower level of the Student Life Center.
Upcoming plans for the writers include attending incoming freshman events and handing out the flyers, in hopes that with enough time to consider, more students will feel compelled to join the club in the near future. Members also hope to expand their outreach to the public through social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter this semester, making ‘The Current’ more engaging and entertaining for future followers.