Saydie Bean is a senior at Western Carolina University, majoring in communication with a concentration in journalism and a minor in professional writing.
Bean chose communication as her major because she has always loved journalism. “ For two years in high school, I was an editor for our yearbook. As I’ve taken classes related to journalism and meeting other journalists, my passion has grown stronger,” she said. Bean chose her minor because she wanted it to relate to writing to help with writing emails, learning coding and drafting press releases.
A lot of Bean’s time in the communication department is dedicated to being the editor-in-chief for Western Carolina Journalist (WCJ) and a staff writer for The Western Carolinian.
WCJ is an online newspaper that is run by students and Dr. Katerina Spasovska. It explores the developing and expanding world of web journalism without any traditions, except for the tradition of the practice of good journalism.
Bean first became involved with WCJ in Spring of 2022. She was in the class, News 2, when she was promoted to community editor. She would then go on to be promoted to co-editor-in-chief and now editor-in-chief.
“Students who take the News Reporting classes will be involved with WCJ, but other students are welcome to join,” she said.
Aside from WCJ, Bean is also a staff writer for The Western Carolinian. She first heard about The Western Carolinian whenever she met Sarah Stanley, the previous editor-in-chief.
The Western Carolinian is a student-run newspaper that reports on news around campus and in the community. They print newspapers and also publish online.
“I love both of my positions and everyday it proves to me that this is where I belong,” she said. “I have learned so much in these positions which builds the confidence I need for when I am in the real world of journalism.”
One of Bean’s biggest highlights is hearing that her articles make a difference. She did a story on the Unseen Scars event hosted by the Student Veterans Association (SVA).
“The president reached out and said that it spread awareness for their organization with new members who had joined,” she said.
To get involved with WCJ, students can contact Bean or Dr. Spasovska at sebean@catamount.wcu.edu and kspasovska@email.wcu.edu.
To get involved with The Western Carolinian, students can contact Nick Childs or Liam Bridgeman, the co-editors-in-chief, for information to apply since it is a stipend job.
For updates from WCJ, follow them on Instagram and Twitter.
For updates from The Western Carolinian, follow them on Instagram.