By: JOHN SLOTT
Staff Writer
Jason Rose has yet to decide which graduate school he will attend next year, but spending his last year at IU South Bend as the editor-in-chief of the Undergraduate Research Journal of History has helped to prepare him for the next step.
Rose learned a lot during the previous year doing his own research, but working as the boss on this year’s installment of the journal gave him a unique perspective.
“You grow as a writer. You grow as a researcher in ways that you can’t when you’re pulling apart you own work,” Rose explained. “You’re removed from it, so you can look at things more objectively.”
Rose, a history major, points out that research isn’t only for academics.
“Doing research is one of those fundamental life skills. How do you know where you stand on something as simple as political issues? I don’t know how you make good decisions without doing some sort of research.”
This year the Undergraduate Journal of History boasts eleven papers – more than twice the number who made the cut last year. Rose said there were several more papers that could have made it in, if there were more space.
The biggest challenge Rose faced was making time to work on the journal during the final stages.
“It’s about finding that good balance.” Rose said. “You’re dealing with other people’s works…you need their input and it’s an ebb and flow between you, and the editors, and the authors. It flowed together really nicely.”
