[Journalists] backpacks are unprofessional?

[jean parker]

All:

I agree with Gary.  I am an independent radio reporter working in South Asia 
and I almost always use a backpack.  There are really nice looking packs 
available that don't have to undermine your professional appearance.  And 
while you are shopping for one, consider what you will need to put in it and 
get pockets and slots accordingly so your gear is close at hand.  There are 
also adaptations you can make for a pack, velcroe loops, pouches and so 
forth to make it more functional without it becoming clunky.

I also sometimes use a bag I had made that is a series of pouches and loops 
on a velcroe strap.  Each of the pouches can be positioned the way I want so 
I can get to my recorder, mic etc quickly.

Jean Parker
Pune, India

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gary ODonoghue" <gary.odonoghue at bbc.co.uk>
To: "Blind Professional Journalists List" <journalists at nfbnet.org>; 
"National Association of Blind Students mailing li" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 2:03 PM
Subject: Re: [Journalists] backpacks are unprofessional?


> Hi, Well I have been a BBC political correspondent for five years now
> and a BBC reporter for 17 years - and I use a back pack everyday. Quite
> frankly, given the amount of kit we have to carry around as blind people
> - laptops, recording gear, braille displays etc etc etc - it's really
> the only practical bag to use to leave your hands free to use a cane or
> a dog and carry your morning coffee from the takeout. A number of other
> reporters I work with (sighted reporters) also use back packs. So I'd
> ignore the prof and do what's comfortable - your back will thank you in
> the long run.
>
>
>
>
> Gary O'Donoghue
> BBC Political Correspondent
> Tel: +44-207-9736057
> Mob: +44-7802-232212
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: journalists-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:journalists-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Martha Harris
> Sent: 29 January 2009 04:39
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing li
> Cc: Journalists at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Journalists] backpacks are unprofessional?
>
> Hi Everyone,
> I'm a journalism major; as part of our magazine production, we have to
> go out in to the community to sell ads, talk to Lions Clubs, have tables
> at local events, ETC. We have two conditions: dress professionally, and
> don't wear a backpack. I totally understand the dress professionally,
> but what do you all think about backpacks? Do they make us look too much
> like students and not professionals, and if so, why? As a blind student,
> would I not be taken seriously because "she doesn't know that everyone
> else has different bags?" or something like that?
> Personally, I prefer the backpack. It is painful to have the strap of a
> messenger bag, satchel, or large purse on my left shoulder with the bag
> on the right side of my body, and having the strap on my right shoulder
> with the bag hanging on the left gets in the way of my hand with the
> dog. Our professor says that since our target audience is permanent
> residents between 35 and 55 years old who live in the two surrounding
> counties and not students like the traditional college magazine, we
> shouldn't look like we come from the university when we go into the
> town. Thoughts?
>
> Thanks,
> Martha
> _______________________________________________
> Journalists mailing list
> Journalists at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/journalists_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Journalists:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/journalists_nfbnet.org/gary.odonog
> hue%40bbc.co.uk
>
> _______________________________________________
> Journalists mailing list
> Journalists at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/journalists_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> Journalists:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/journalists_nfbnet.org/radioforever%40gmail.com