SSU stude pub holds Staff Hunt '24, handpicks 23 new staffers

From the 59 online pre-registrants, 27 out of 38 qualified applicants turned up for The Tradesman Staff Hunt 2024 on Wednesday, October 2, at the College of Education (CoEd) Function Room, concluding the student publication’s search for new members.

Nearly two months after the start of the first phase of the event, the current affiliates of the publication, led by the editorial board, held the last two phases for the aspirants who underwent a qualifying test and a panel interview.

The qualifying test varied per field, and the interview panel, composed of the Associate Editor, Section Head, and chaired by the Editor-in-Chief, carefully deliberated and approved 23 new staffers into its roster.

Meanwhile, Marjorie Tan, Associate Editor of The Tradesman, delivered her message to the aspirants, emphasizing the role of journalism in the age of information and their purpose as aspiring campus journalists of the university.

“In today’s world, journalism is more critical than ever. With the rapid spread of information—both credible and false—it’s vital that we, as a publication, continue to provide accurate, well-researched, and thoughtful content… That’s why we’re in search, and that’s why you’re here,” she said.

Tan further added the importance of revitalizing the publication with dedicated and passionate individuals who will contribute to serving its purpose in the school, the community, and beyond—quality and conflict-sensitive reportage.

The Tradesman Staff Hunt is an annual activity open to all bona fide students of Samar State University (SSU), designed to expand the publication and welcome new voices and perspectives into the forum.