Anytime Margy Burgoon asked community and academic associate Desiree Luo to edit one of her articles, Luo would shut her own computer and start reading Burgoon’s piece.
“Everyone loves to help each other,” said Burgoon of Winnetka, Illinois. “I get so excited when people ask me to look at their things, and I ask other people to edit my work constantly, and I’ve never had anyone say no.”
Since the Medill cherub program can be a lot of work, cherubs relied on instructors, CAAs and each other to overcome challenges. They said the environment was welcoming and people were happy to help.
As a former cherub, Luo said she knows how tough it can be to hit a dead end with a story.
“I just want to be as accessible and approachable as possible,” she said.
Ruby Kilar of Hillsborough, California, said whether she wanted feedback or was curious about Northwestern or campus directions, she felt comfortable asking anyone in the program.
“This is one of the most low risk and positive environments to not know the answer to something,” Kilar said.
Lila Goldin of Jupiter, Florida, said she and other cherubs often swapped computers to edit one another’s work.
“It’s definitely a culture where it’s super easy to ask for help,” Goldin said. “If anything, it’s encouraged.”
Goldin said she envisions the help she’ll continue to get from her cherub friends.
“Long after I go home, if I’m working on something, I’ll send in my cherub group chat, ‘Hey, I’m writing something. Does anyone want to look?’” Goldin said. “I feel like people would be more than happy to be like, ‘Yeah, I want to read that.’”
