Typical Job Tasks for Press Assistants

This is the journalists section of the press workroom.

The workroom has a capacity of 350.

This is the photographers section of the press venue.

This the the view I have from the help desk.

Press Conference Room for the Ski Jumping, Cross Country Skiing, and Nordic Combined.

This is my immediate supervisor, Natalie Bartleson.

After working for the past four days, I finally have all of the different jobs clear in my mind. In the beginning 12 volunteers at our ski jumping, cross country, and Nordic Combined venue were trained to do all of the different jobs needed to help run the media venue. No matter how much preparation in done, not until the event happens does one see what adjustments need to be made. We all have to be flexible and calm under pressure. Now we have settled in on specific jobs. I believe that specializing is making our operation run smoother and smoother everyday. Our main clients are international journalists, photographer, and broadcasters.

I really like the venue managers, Elissa and Alessandro, my workroom supervisor, Natalie who is a Gold medal Olympian in synchronized swimming, and Paula. They are all professional and hardworking. I can tell that they did a lot of organizing before the Games began. I've spoken to other volunteers who have not had the same positive experience. I think that the difference is that my bosses are experienced and work cohesively as a unit.

The different jobs that a press assistant does is (1) give, find, and post information to journalists that they need to do their jobs, (2) clean the workroom, (3) check accreditations, (4) man a help desk, (5) work in the Mixed Zone (an area located where the athletes exit the field of play and enter the broadcasting area and journalist area), and (6) get the press conferences ready and pass microphone around during the news conference for the medalists.

My main duties are to assist Paula. She is in charge of setting up the press conferences and getting the conference room ready for each press conference with the medalists. We must keep track of the events so that we know who the possible medalists are because we have to print out names of the medalists to place in front of them during the conference. We find out highlights about the athletes by reading their biographies and what languages they speak. We have to get pertinent information about the athletes for the moderators to use during the conference. Alessandro and Elissa are the moderators for the cross country and ski jumping events respectively. Either one of them moderates for the Nordic Combined events which involved both the ski jump and cross country events. I also help get anything that the interpreters need like flash quotes from the medalists. These are the quotes that the Olympic News Service (ONS) get just as the athletes finish their events. I have learned a lot from the interpreters. For instance, the difference between interpreters and translators is that the interpreters interpret what is said and a translator will do the written word. I did not know that before I spoke to them.

I enjoy working in the press conference room even though it may be hairy at times. The media is under a lot of pressure to get the stories out first, to get quotes , and photos.

In addition to working with Paula, I am stationed in the press workroom that has the capacity of 350 journalists and photographers. I clean up after the journalists and photographers. They can be so focused on their jobs that having a clean environment is not their priority. I can spend a lot of time sorting out paper, general garbage, compostable, and plastic bottles. We are trying to be as green as possible, but that is difficult when others aren't as vigilant about sorting trash.

When I first arrived it was a bit difficult to find my niche since most of the volunteers had already been there for about 3-7 days ahead of time. It was a lot to comprehend and learn. I told my workroom supervisor, Natalie, that I was a fast learner and that I would do whatever she needed me to do. Even though I've been working in the workroom and press conferences I let Natalie know that I would also like to get some time out in the mixed zone. I'll be out in the elements, but will get an opportunity to see the athletes performing even if it's only during practice runs. I am satisfied with my part in the team effort. I glad to be a part of the Olympics. Every job is crucial to the team. Our managers are very pleased with our work.

The other day the biathalon venue needed extra help, so I was able to see what it was like in the mixed zone. The broadcasters, photographers, and journalists are only allowed in certain sections. Of course everyone wants to get to the athletes first, but there is an order, so the press assistants have to check for accreditations to make sure who is allowed where. They are so aggressive and if one isn't firm with the press, it would be a mob scene. We try to make it as organized as possible. At times this is a tough job, especially since there are multi-language issues. I can feel helpless at times when I cannot communicate.

The key to doing this job is flexibility and being calm, cool, and collected.