I found a desire for reading and writing at a young age, which led to helping my peers with their writing and to winning literary contests. There was no doubt that writing would follow me in the future, but to what magnitude? I would discover the answer soon enough. It was a typical morning for me. I woke up, got dressed in hideous uniform colors, and headed to the bus stop to greet my friends. When I arrived to school the first period bell rang, and off I went to Mrs. Porter’s computer class. We began working on a group assignment when the class telephone rang. She answered the call, and I watched as Mrs. Porter’s facial expression change from calm to fear. She hung up the phone and informed the class that a plane just crashed into a building in New York. A student turned on the television and flipped to the “Today Show” with Anchors Matt Lauer and Katie Couric were interviewing a witness that heard the loud boom and saw an enormous fireball. Then without warning on live television, I saw the second plane crash into the World Trade Center. I was shocked, horrified, and wanted answers to the questions that were burning inside of me. September 11, 2001 was the day that sealed the deal for me to become a broadcast journalist. I knew that day would change American history and government protocol. I had a front-row seat to history, and the news bug bit me hard. The news coverage alone was intriguing yet harsh to view, but observing those brave public officers risk their lives to save others touched me. I knew that everyone affected had a story to tell, and I wanted to be their voice. For me, the intense interest in everyone and everything is the key factor as a journalist. In this field, the topics are unlimited, and I receive the liberty to become well-versed in the world. I will have the opportunity to see what is happening around me and will therefore grow and become even more accepting and informed about the world and its cultures. As I meet people from various fields such as health, politics, or money management, I’ll gain comprehension in each field- whether it ranges from a little girl living with a rare skin condition to an academy that trains dogs to help disabled veterans (these are just a few stories that I’ve crossed while conducting interviews). I enjoy the fact that I can learn while I earn. Journalism, to me, is the key to understanding the world, just as understanding each individual part and organ of a human body leads to understanding how we perform, and why humans act and think the way they do.I love the adrenaline rush, the fear, and unexpected twists that occur every day as part of the job. You never know what to expect walking into the field or on live television. This is a field where apathy can be non-existent due to the constant changes taking place every day, changes that can leave us jaded if we don’t pause to remember that every story is important to someone. Broadcast journalism never has a dull moment; history can back me up. Two of my main goals as a journalist are to have my stories create a “pay it forward” effect and to inform viewers in an unbiased manner. I want to be the “go to, trustworthy” reporter amongst the citizens. I want to break news stories, offer help, and communicate difficult information to people. I’m ready for long hours, no meals, camping outside of businesses, rude citizens, live shots, and the pressure.
“Journalism can never be silent: That is its greatest virtue and its greatest fault. It must speak, and speak immediately, while the echoes of wonder, the claims of triumph and the signs of horror are still in the air.” -Henry Anatole Grunwald
justjotjess's Blog 