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Love your column. As a senior in college, I can tell it's going to be helpful when I start looking for jobs soon. Here's a good question for you.

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The best I article I ever wrote for the college paper has a co-byline. I did the bulk of the work on the story, say 75 percent, and my partner on it made some contributions, but did little more than flesh out a few details and accompany me to the courthouse while we were searching for the lawsuit that triggered the story. (I was teaching him how to find lawsuits.)

The story was big. The first incarnation was ignored by national media. A day or two after I wrote a follow-up, the Post had a similar story, and then essentially every national media outlet ran with the story. (As a college student, it was very exciting to see this happen.)

Looking back on it, I realize I should have insisted on my own byline and given my partner a contributing line at the end, but he was my buddy, and I wasn't worried about it at the time. Now, I regret it, because I feel like my best clip is essentially wasted. Should I send this as a clip to potential employers? Should I send it with an explanation? Should I send it with the follow-up stories I wrote (all sole byline stories)? Or, is it best to not include it at all? Any advice is appreciated.

Ryan

I would lose a lot of respect for anyone who insisted that another reporter's name be moved to the bottom of a story. I prefer good reporters who are generous with credit.

Joe Grimm

   Use the clip. We don't want just good reporters and writers. We also want people who can be good members of a team.

So, show that clip, and explain your part honestly and your partner's role generously.

No clip means more than a friendship.

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Coming Tuesday: A successful editor wants to return to reporting, but he worries what effect this will have on his bosses -- and how others will view what appears to be a step back.

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