SMU senior psychology major and Spanish minor Catherine Jagers has recently been named one of three bilingual advice columnists for The Dallas Morning News. The News has added the column “Consejos: Tres por Uno” in an effort to respond to the growing Hispanic population and attract more of its news readers.
Jagers discovered the job opportunity when her mom showed her the advertisement in The Dallas Morning News. To apply, she had to write and send in an article saying why she should be a new columnist.
Soon after, she was called in for an interview, which included giving advice to a variety of sample questions. At the end of August, Jagers was informed that she got the job. Jagers was one of nine finalists out of more than 100 applicants who were interviewed in person.
“Her experience as a dorm resident assistant and summer counselor was really impressive,” said Lisa Kresl, assistant managing editor of the Lifestyles section in The Dallas Morning News.
Kresl was also impressed with Jagers’ advising skills. “She is a good listener; she doesn’t judge, and she knows where to point people for more information,” Kresl said.
Jagers saysthe bilingual advice column is a great idea because it will “give people a voice to bridge the gap between Latinos and Americans.” She says that the Hispanic community poses the same types of questions that appear in other advice columns, only they have an added cultural dynamic.
Kresl says that Jagers has the character required for this type of role.
“She’s an incredible ambassador for the community, for students and for the newspaper. Catherine is in this because she really cares about helping people and about building bridges between cultures. She’s inspiring,” Kresl said.
The columnists receive a wide variety of questions, but some of the most common have to do with interracial relationships, understanding the Hispanic culture and places to hang out.
Since August, Catherine has been busy with interviews and radio and broadcast shows in addition to her time devoted to the column itself.
“The experience has been really fun so far,” and the columnists “really want people to write in,” Jagers said.
She’s not quite sure exactly what she wants to do when she graduates and says of her new job, “we’ll see where this takes me.”
The “Tres por Uno” bilingual advice column can be found every other Saturday in the Texas Living section of The Dallas Morning News.
