Posts Tagged ‘Jack’

The power of people finding

September 28th, 2011 by Jack

Here’s the promised post about when people finding and football intersect.  It’s nothing without pictures! 

Recently, a friend who runs the Phoenix of New Orleans e-mailed me to see if I could find updated contact information for some people who were candidates to have their Hurricane Katrina damaged homes rebuilt by the organization.  Using techniques I demonstrated in class Tuesday, I found them, and ultimately a family was chosen.  Obviously, I felt great about it, but what I didn’t know at the time is that the project was being funded by Jahri Evans, Lance Moore, Malcolm Jenkins and Roman Harper of my beloved New Orleans Saints.  As such, I was invited out to dinner with them after Sunday’s conquest of the Houston Texans. WHO DAT!

With Saints guard Jahri Evans, PNOLA's Jim Coningsby and the Rush family.

With Saints guard Jahri Evans, PNOLA's Jim Coningsby and the Rush family.

The bonus:  A must-read profile on a Saints hero and more pictures… (more…)

Ten years later

September 11th, 2011 by Jack

Back in the studio at NBC today.  A few years ago, I posted my memories of September 11th, 2001.  Here are some of the research requests I worked on that day:

  • Background information on Barbara Olson and David Angell
  • Contacts for mass terrorism organizations
  • Death tolls of other atrocities
  • Map of the World Trade Center area
  • Number of workers in the WTC

Think about how you might find these items today.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

August 26th, 2011 by Jack

Welcome to “The Craft of Research,” the official research blog for the Fall 2011 Craft I class of David Lewis and Ellen Tumposky.  It’s the spot for research lessons, handouts, assignments, news, tips and whatever else comes up during the semester.

My name is Jack Styczynski and this is my fourth year here as a research adjunct.  If you need to know all my bona fides, click here.

Otherwise, get ready for a ton of fun!  In short order, you’ll begin to grasp the vast power of research.

Now for a bit of what’s been going on in my domain since I last posted… (more…)

Recognize and be recognized!

April 14th, 2011 by Jack

It’s been awhile since we last met, but I know the break is well earned!

The latest edition of “219 West” is online.  The Women’s History Month-themed show is hosted by Alcione Gonzalez and Chase Rosen, and includes a contribution from Annais Morales.

Sherrina Navani’s video about faith and food made The Feast.

Last but not least, I’m back from New Orleans and the United States Basketball Writers Association awards ceremony in Houston, having closed out the college hoop season with a flurry of stories and a welcome reward

Proudly displaying my third USBWA award earlier this month in Houston.

Proudly displaying my third USBWA award earlier this month in Houston.

Greetings, intro, etc.

January 31st, 2011 by Jack

Welcome (and for some, welcome back) to “The Craft of Research,” the official research blog for the Spring 2011 Broadcast Craft class of John Schiumo and Marc Kusnetz.  It’s the spot for research lessons, handouts, news, tips and whatever else comes up during the semester.

My name is Jack Styczynski, and while this marks my sixth semester teaching research at the J-school, it’s my first in Broadcast Craft.  I couldn’t be more excited about the new assignment!

When I’m not here, I’m a researcher at NBC and the New York Times.  If you’re interested in more career details, click here.  One thing you’ll probably notice is that I’m a big college hoop-head.

Despite the fact I make a living as an online searcher, you may also notice past readings posted here and even my humorous Christmas post demonstrate a concern for the effects computers are having on us.  Matt Richtel of the Times often makes me feel old and feeds my fear.  For example, he shows why I worry about our brains on computers and why I don’t own a mobile phone.

Speaking of my concern with computers and stuff I’ve read in recent months, should we now fret about technology making some journalists obsolete? Or will Patch save us all?

This is tech! On my bike at the train station. No cell? No car since '95 either.

This is tech! On my bike at the train station. No cell? No car since '95 either.

Anyway, enough about me and my technology nightmares. I note that a few of you were busy during the break. Nathan Frandino had a story in the Daily News about Coptic Christians in Queens mourning a loss. Laura Shin had several bylines for OurTownNY. And Annais Morales had New York Post stories here, here, here, here, here, here and here, continuing her quest to be known as the hardest working woman in the biz. Either that or she’s addicted to getting love on this blog.

Research bonus: The Census Bureau’s American Community Survey now includes the first ever 5-year estimates from 2005-2009, and the New York Times has made some nice use of them.  On the subject of demographics, Social Explorer now has an excellent database of religion statistics right down to the PUMA level. We will be digging into Census and demographic numbers this semester.

Job seeking tip

November 18th, 2010 by Jack

Earlier this week, I was telling one of my former students–who’s rapidly approaching graduation–that I’ve always targeted the specific places I wanted to work (rather than just trying to find where the openings are), so I figured I’d share one of my success stories.

When I was in grad school, I knew I’d like to be a researcher in the NBC Information Center after having become familiar with it years earlier as an intern and freelancer in the sports department.  Anyway, we had a school assignment where we had to survey a library, so I set it up to spend a few hours at NBC’s version and interview the manager there.  When I finished the assignment, I sent her a copy of my report, which she seemed to like.

Several months later, as I was approaching graduation, I saw a posting for an entry-level job there, and I contacted her.  “Remember me?  I’m the guy who interviewed you.  Will you interview me now?”

The rest is history.

So the moral of this story is, even if you don’t have a similar school assignment, it might be worth faking one…or more. 😉

And here’s a funny addendum to the story too… (more…)

Byline bonanza

November 13th, 2010 by Jack

Our class has had several bylines in the last few weeks…

On the News Service, check out Bianca Seidman-Shvarts’ coverage of the College Music Journalism (CMJ) music marathon here and here. And don’t miss multimedia profiles by Jennifer Hamblett on an art-world chronicler and Yudith Ho on a restorer of antique brass cash registers.

Last but not least, Annais Morales got bylines in the New York Post here and here. Why am I not surprised to see the NYPD mentioned in the first article? I’m imagining her running toward synagogues in search of bombs.

Kudos to all!

Bonus bylines: Now that college basketball season is upon us, you can critique the teacher’s work here, here and here. Or you can just crack on the picture below. I swear I was not falling asleep! (I’m sure ace photographer Ray Floriani is humored by catching me mid-blink.)

Interviewing Villanova basketball coach Jay Wright at Big East media day.

Interviewing Villanova basketball coach Jay Wright at Big East media day.

Headed back home

October 3rd, 2010 by Jack

Don’t forget that your CD beat memos are due to me Tuesday, when we’ll discuss “cops and crime” research in class.  Please note that there will be a more comprehensive lesson on court research in Craft II.

Before I go, big shout out to my AmeriCorps friends at the Phoenix of New Orleans and the Habitat for Humanity ReStore–Chris, Jen and Will, Amanda and Melissa.  AmeriCorps does fantastic work and is a great way to offset those student loans too!

While I’m on the subject of New Orleans, I should also plug the recent video directed by the J-school’s own Bob Sacha.  Excellent job!

Jack and Chris Glynn celebrate their favorite team and a week of interior demo.

Jack and Chris Glynn celebrate their favorite team and a week of interior demo.

Breathing a sigh of relief after the Saints close win today at the Superdome.

Breathing a sigh of relief after the Saints close win today at the Superdome.

Adventures with Wikipedia

September 14th, 2010 by Jack

Usually, weeks pass without Wikipedia playing any role in my research, but I had two experiences in recent days that I thought worth passing along.

First, last Friday, seconds before MSNBC’s Chris Jansing was about to go on the air with a story about boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s latest foray into the news, she asked if he had been a champion.  I immediately answered yes, and then knowing I had precious little time to check any details, Googled him.  Watching me, Chris asked to view the Wikipedia link that appeared in the results, and we saw Mayweather had won nine championships in five weight classes.  I said we can’t vouch for Wikipedia, and she agreed, making sure to couch what she ultimately said on the air with the words “something like” nine championships in five weight classes.  I felt pretty good with her disclaimer.  With more time to check it out later, it essentially turned out to be correct (boxing championships are not as black and white as championships in most sports, so it’s debatable).  Let me add that most research I do is not under that tight of a deadline.  Given even 10 minutes, I wouldn’t have checked Wikipedia at all.

Then today, I got a research request at the Times asking for an article in the Pensacola News Journal from June 31, 2003.  Of course, there is no such date as June 31st, and the requester said the citation came from a Wikipedia entry on Judge Roger Vinson.  It was supposedly an article about the judge having stuffed bear heads above the door to his courtroom and removing them under pressure.  Checking Nexis, I found no stories like that in the Pensacola paper or elsewhere, and told the requester I thought the entry may be false.  He called the judge’s chambers and found out it was completely made up.  The judge’s wife had even heard Rush Limbaugh repeat it and freaked.  Minutes later, Wikipedia had been revised, with the passage in question removed.

I guess you can consider this an update to the Wikipedia video Barbara Gray shared at the Nexis orientation.

Bookmark this site!

August 26th, 2010 by Jack

Welcome to “The Craft of Research,” the official research blog for the Fall 2010 Craft I class of Steve Strasser and Prue Clarke.  It’s the spot for research lessons, handouts, assignments, news, tips and whatever else comes up during the semester.  In short order, you’ll begin to grasp the vast power of research. 

My name is Jack Styczynski, and this is my third year at the J-school, my 16th as a news researcher and my 25th collecting paychecks from the media.  Although I usually stick to business, in my spare time I enjoy rebuilding New Orleans (photo below), Cajun cookin’ and rooting for the Super Bowl champion Saints.  I’m also an unrepentant college hoop-head and I still haven’t retired from playing ball either.

See you soon!

Working on the home of Polly Waring in Mid-City New Orleans.

Working on the home of Polly Waring in Mid-City New Orleans.