Why Journalism?

I would always tell people my career goals and their reaction was a squinted face with the question of why journalism?

Since I have been a child, I loved to be in the moment. I would chase ambulances and police up the street in my neighborhood all in attempt to figure out the story.I drive by an accident, by a crime scene, and see a protest, all I want to do is stop. Stop just to see what's going on, get the details, and observe.

Journalism satisfies that craving. This semester, I was working the web shift and part of that shift is listening to the police and emergency response radio. I loved that. When there is something major, I am always sent to go cover it or am supposed to send another reporter.

One day, I was sent to cover a vehicle who drove off an over pass into the creek. There was apparently a baby in the backseat. Upon arriving, traffic was blocked off and they were airlifting the passengers to the hospital. I immediately grabbed my camera, ran out of my vehicle, and started filming the helicopter in the middle of the street. I then ran to the scene about a mile through traffic of cars and climbed over the overpass to get the best shot. Keep in mind I am wearing a suit, skirts, and high heels. I climbed through mud puddles, creeks, embankments, and rocks in my heels and bare feet just to do my job. And I loved every single moment. Of course, my story aired and I became the joke of the newscast as I looked like I had just had a mud wrestling fight. But I was praised upon my return. That day began my career as a television TV star in Mid Missouri.

If I had a choice of bad things not happening or my career, take my career away. But unfortunately life has its mishaps. When reporting, I have to be careful in sad, serious, or even death stories because I become excited to do the story. I am not excited about the topic but I am excited that I am doing my job and what I love. Before going into these types of stories, I also have to take time to humanize myself to the people involved in the incident. I can still love doing it but I have to make myself real. And if I do this, I can often get the best shots because I can connect with them and understand the meaning of their feelings. 

I am inspired by creating stories, meeting people who have extraordinary experiences, and love being a part of sharing that. It is one way I give back to the community while improving myself. I may not be famous or even well known in my reporting, but I strive to be accurate and the best I can be.

So while I know I face a tough job market, a low paying job no matter what school I complete, may not be very good (yet), and have to buy expensive equipment, all I have to say is I am willing to work for it, achieve it, and most importantly, I LOVE IT. And I can say I worked hard enough to be a graduate from the top journalism school in the country, the University of Missouri.