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David Ng
Assistant managing editor/production
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A front page supervised by David Ng
A front page supervised by David Ng
A front page supervised by David Ng
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David Ng
David Ng
assistant managing editor/production
The Star-Ledger, Newark N.J.
Why did you become a journalist?
I owe my journalism career to Beowulf. I started out in college as an English lit major with hopes of becoming a teacher who would write the great American novel on summer breaks. But my professor insisted that I learn to read Beowulf in Old English, which I found about as much fun as calculus. So halfway into my freshman year, even before my career had started, I thought it was time for a career change.
At the time I was having a blast working on The Circle, Marist College's weekly newspaper. I switched majors to communications, set a course on journalism and never looked back.
I'm still having a blast.
What are your main duties as assistant managing editor/production?
My primary responsibilities are page one and making sure the newspaper closes on time.
What's the most fun job you've had in journalism?
This one.
How do you handle deadline pressure?
The pressure is part of the fun. I don't want minimize the stress that editors are under, but I think you have to accept, even embrace the pressure that comes with the job. I love clutch situations, knowing that at The Star-Ledger I'm surrounded by very talented editors who, by the way, have the greatest deadline humor.
Do you miss not getting out to report on stories yourself?
Yes. The Star-Ledger has a staff of great reporters, photographers and graphic artists and I'm motivated by their passion, dedication and pursuit of excellence. They inspire me, corny as that sounds, and it seems like they're having more fun than me. I'm envious. There are times I wish I could go back in time and become one of them.
How did you adjust to being a supervisor and teacher as part of your job? It's not usually the first thing that comes to mind for people thinking about a career in journalism?
For me it was easy since I had audacity to think I could earn a paycheck as a teacher. As far as I'm concerned, being a teacher and supervisor is part of the job. This is a craft and if you inspire to be one of its craftsmen, you are obliged to pass onto the apprentices of the trade your experiences, advice, wisdom and follies.
What role has mentoring played in your professional life?
A big one. If it had not been for my mentors – editors at papers where I've worked and editors from other papers who have befriended me – I would not be able to make a living. Any success I've had in my career, I owe to them. From each of them, I have taken what I respected best about who and what they are, absorbed their advice and guidance and molded myself into what I hope is a journalist that represents the many pieces of them.
How do you know if journalism is the right career for you?
I don't know.
Every day I walk into the newsroom knowing that I once again I have to prove to my newspaper, my family and myself that it was the right career decision.