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Notes, observations, commentary, news and photos from our communities. I'm the general manager for the YourHub.com operation, the citizen journalism site for the Ventura County Star. And I'm glad you are here, too. My wife Joanna and I live in Simi Valley with our two sons, Matt and Joey. We've been in Ventura County for more than two decades and feel privileged to be here. Please comment on this blog and post your news and musings, too. See you around the county!

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The bridge between worlds

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Contributed by: Michael Hoffman on 5/9/2007

David Arias is the bridge from journalism's present to its future.

Tuesday night he reflected that unintentional role during comments before aspiring reporters, editors and photographers from Ventura County.

The gathering was a year-end celebration for the Student Voice, the publication that serves Ventura, Oxnard and Moorpark colleges. David had worked for the newspaper last year. He is still a student at Ventura College, but he is working part time in the digital media department of the Ventura County Star.

"You guys have done tremendous work this year," Arias said. "And I know that no matter where I go and how long it will be, I will remain proud to be able to say that I was part of the Student Voice."

About 20 people, including Ventura College president Robin Calote and Moorpark College president Eva Conrad, attended the celebration. Before dinner, students toured the Star's press plant. Afterward, Student Voice editor Eric Lee presented certificates to the members of the paper's staff.

Arias told the students that before working on the newspaper he was undecided about his future. But his time on the student paper convinced him that the news media was a field that he enjoyed. He leveraged his experience into a spot at the Star's website, helping with the nightly Internet updates as the newspaper goes to print.

For Arias, having a foot in both the digital and print media is perfectly natural. As a young journalist growing up with the Internet, getting information on line is as common as finding it on print. But for many of the veterans in the trade, finding the bridge between the digital and print worlds presents both challenges and opportunities.

Many of those veterans, though, are anxious to use the new methods for telling stories, Star editor Joe Howry told the group. When the Star offered training in using video production and computer-based information delivery systems, the demand was high, he said.

But even in the digital world, the need for good journalists will continue, Howry said.

"Know your fundamentals, be grounded in the business," he said. "Grammar. Spelling. Accuracy. The ability to ask pertinent questions. Without these, it's like trying to build a house without knowing how to use a hammer."

Don't worry about the naysayers who bemoan the future of newspapers. Information will continue to be delivered, Howry said.

"You are entering in the most exciting time in our business," he said.

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