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Sheila Rule, BJ '72

What do you do?
I have a hodgepodge of responsibilities, including recruiting reporters, running our internship program and developing workshops and programs, such as The New York Times Student Journalism Institute for students who attend historically black colleges. The Institute is an intensive two-week residency program held annually at Dillard University in New Orleans, where students refine their skills in reporting, writing, photography, editing and layout, and cover the city and surrounding area. They write and edit articles and produce photographs on deadline for publication on their own website and in a two-section paper printed at a Times Company newspaper in nearby Houma, La.

Best professional lesson learned at the J-School?
We were taught to never assume anything. That lesson has served me well in journalism, and in life.

What do you consider to be your greatest professional achievement?
Hmmm. I've never thought about my career in that context.

What is your professional history, in a nutshell?
After graduating from MU in 1972, I was a reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch until 1977, when I joined The New York Times. Over the years, my beats included the New York State Legislature, the homeless, civil rights, social services, pop music and culture. I was a foreign correspondent for six years, based in Nairobi and later, London. I was promoted to my current position in management in 1994.

What advice would you give a MU journalism student who aspires to work for The Times?
That question takes me back to a late night in the London bureau of The Times, when a story about economics was thrown at me. What I knew about economics I could put in my eye and not feel it, so writing that story on deadline was a nightmare. As I was rousing sources out of bed to help me make sense of the story, I thought back to all the days I'd spent daydreaming during Econ 101, and dismissing that class as irrelevant. That experience in London - along with others in the course of my career - underscored for me the importance of knowing as much as you can about as much as you can, or at least knowing a little about a lot. As a journalist, you never know when some seemingly useless information will come in handy. Be ever curious and open to learning. And pay attention!

What characteristics are important for people who want to work in journalism?
Here are a few: Curiosity, a keen intellect, analytical skill, thick skin, doggedness.

Journalists are typically voracious readers of news; what do you read and what Web sites do you check?
The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, Newsweek, Essence, TargetMarket News, Black Enterprise, Poynter.org.

What advice do you have for resume writing?
Don't be shy about talking about your good work and accomplishments, but don't embellish.