Meet a Journalist

A journalist's profile, stories and career in the field of journalism. Know a journalist who should be profiled here? Send an e-mail to Janet E. Bardon

October 13, 2000
Don Wall
National Editor, Forever Young
(Publication for 50-plus market)
Don_Wall@metroland.com

 

Why did you choose journalism?

I figured I was suited for it, could write okay, was curious about others, loved to gather information, always asked a lot of questions of people, it seemed like a good creative outlet.

What was your second career choice?

I dabbled in truck driving, law school and the hotel and restaurant business before ending up getting a job with a newspaper.

Where did you complete post-secondary education?

University of Western Ontario (economics degree).

Where did you attend journalism school?

I didn't.

What experience best prepared you for the job of journalist?

Growing up with parents who watched all the U.S. political conventions and Canadian leadership conventions from gavel to gavel, who painstakingly and patiently explained world forces to me (The McCarthy era, World War II, etc.).

What are some of the highlights of your career?

Flying to Montreal to interview Jean Beliveau in the Montreal Forum; interviewing Rocket Richard, Bobby Orr; chatting with a few musicians backstage at the Junos, George Chuvalo; spending a half-day with Lloyd Robertson, he was a decent guy. I really got along well with Leslie Neilson, the actor, we had a good long conversation, he was quite animated as he described his childhood, I felt I connected well with him. But a half-year later he didn't recognize me at the premiere of a one-man play he was doing!

Q. What assignment/interview most inspired/terrified you?

I had a bad experience with Juliette, the former CBC television host who had had a hip operation. I had not done enough research on what she was doing since she left television and she was offended. ("So where are you living now," was outrageous to her, I was supposed to know how many kids she had and that she still performed occasionally.) It was quite uncomfortable and I learned a lesson about preparing for an interview. I had to ask billiards player Cliff Thorburn about his use of cocaine, he wasn't too happy about that. Bobby Orr got kind of mad at me dragging up Alan Eagleson stuff, his fighting prowess. On the other hand, Freddy Laker, the airline executive, was full of personality, vision, good anecdotes, I was thrilled after interviewing him.

Who was/is your mentor?

I used to have lunch with a fellow named Don Carlson, former publisher for Southam (the Hamilton Spectator), who offered advice on how the publishing business works. He died a couple of years ago.

Do you have any recommendation for those considering a journalism career today?

Get out there and write as much as you can, even if it is co-op or for meagre pay. Learn your craft, avoid cliches, continually edit your own work until you are happy with it, do lots of research, don't be lazy, get it right. Don't expect to get rich. Look into new media, there seems to be lots of jobs for content providers, web site editors.

What is the biggest challenge facing journalists today?

I would guess it is getting a decent full-time job (although some prefer to work freelance). There are so many part-timers out there, freelancers, who have to scramble to pay the bills. But good journalists will always get jobs if they are willing to work hard.