Student story: To New York and back

By Allison Harwood

Kansas State University graduate Steve Wolgast began his journey to one of the most renowned newspapers in the country in 1999.

Wolgast, who is teaching Advanced Redesign - Newspaper at the Flint Hills Publication Workshop, worked as a news design editor at The New York Times from 2000 to 2009. The break that led Wolgast to the Times came when he was living in Akron, Ohio.

“One of my coworkers came back from a news conference in New York,” Wolgast said. “She had been recruited by the Times while she was there. I asked her for the name of the person who had recruited her and sent them a letter. The letter turned into an invitation for an interview.”

Wolgast describes the Times as the “most professional” work environment he has ever experienced. Positions on the Times’ 1,200-person staff are very competitive, so when people make the cut, they are ready and willing to work diligently to put out the best paper they can.

“Because it is so competitive, the people hired have experience,” Wolgast said. “They have already made the common mistakes. They have already gotten past that beginning stage in their careers.”

Wolgast adds that the level of professionalism required at the Times could make his job difficult.

No matter how hard a day Wolgast was having, he was expected to perform his best. Everything that happened outside of the newsroom had to disappear for awhile.

“Every day [you] have to work to the same standards,” Wolgast said.

Wolgast’s favorite part of his job was preparing advance obituaries. Prominent news figures have pre-written obituaries at The New York Times. Wolgast enjoyed learning details about these people by researching facts about their lives.

Wolgast also enjoyed life in New York City.
   
“In New York, you’re constantly around people unless you’re in the bathroom,” Wolgast said. “I miss the parks and the food. The food in both the grocery stores and restaurants is just excellent.”

However, teaching ultimately pulled Wolgast back to the Midwest and K-State. He is news adviser of the Kansas State Collegian.
            
“It’s apparent that the Times has influenced his teaching style,” Collegian editor-in-chief Tim Schrag said. “When we have an issue on a Collegian, he’ll tell a story of similar situation that happened at the Times and how they handled it there.”

Wolgast has enjoyed the change of pace teaching provided.

“I enjoy thinking about journalism in a different way,” Wolgast said. “It’s a real time of growth and change in journalism. Having been on a paper that is on the forefront of that change makes communicating those changes to students a great experience.”

Allison Harwood is a senior at Free State High School and an advanced writer.