10 - Listening Posts

Hannah Diffee

Professor Reppert

Reporting and Writing for the Mass Media

Fall 2024

10 - Listening Posts

My favorite definition of a listening post is "any location frequented by a journalist in search of stories or gossip (Wiktionary). Listening posts are valuable in business, marketing, military operations, and everyday life. I love learning about what is happening in other people's lives and hearing different perspectives. Before college, I was the "girl who didn't talk" because I listened much more than I spoke. I did not have many close friends, instead opting to listen to others' conversations to gain insight. People said all kinds of things around me, likely because they knew I would not share their secrets with anyone. Though I interact with people more now and am very involved on campus, I still want everyone to know their secrets are safe with me. 

As a Mass Communication major and generic Gen Z woman, I am almost always online. I use the internet to do schoolwork, research, read and respond to emails, listen to music, and watch videos. Along with the internet, I regularly use social media to stay informed. I have connected with hundreds of people on social platforms, from classmates to family members to celebrities. I follow many people, including influencers, whose viewpoints differ from my own because I like seeing all perspectives on issues. Social media is where I get most of my news.

Above: My social media apps

On-Campus Listening Posts

At SAU, I am a member of the band and the band service sorority, Tau Beta Sigma. I am my chapter's Vice President of Special Projects. These roles allow me to interact with other members of the band, band directors, other campus organizations, and community members. Because I do not live in the "band dorm," Fincher Hall, my sisters sometimes provide updates about the drama there. They also tell me about people from other sections, such as baritone players or colorguard members. I learn what happens in the band "behind the scenes" by interacting with directors and students in leadership positions. Each fall, we volunteer at the Magnolia High School concession stand, which allows me to connect with the community and stay informed about important events in my college town.

I work at the SAU Writing Center, where I have been a consultant since August 2023. I have learned so much from my colleagues and the students I have conferenced with. Many of my coworkers are English majors, so I hear about the books they read in Young Adult Literature and the assignments they do for creative writing classes. I discover what is happening on campus since everyone is involved in different organizations. Through the students I help, I learn about certain professors and their expectations. I get to interact with students I may not have known otherwise. Because the phone signal on the library's first floor is subpar, many students stand by the window across from the Center to make phone calls. Also, students frequently walk past the Writing Center to reach Student Support Services down the hall. I have heard a lot of conversations while working (some I wished I did not hear). 

All of these listening posts have been valuable in keeping me informed about current events.