Maybe “Frustrations of a young journalist” is a misleading title.
It is a frustrating time to be a journalist. But when has being a journalist not been frustrating?
Sure, I hit roadblocks. Between being turned down for internships and hearing predictions of death and doom from older, theoretically wiser journalists, it’s difficult to plod along through. I have friends exiting the profession in droves in favor of law school, publishing, graphic design: in general, a future with a paycheck.
So maybe I have a bimonthly journalism meltdown penciled into my schedule. But here’s my problem: Even when I’m frustrated, I am passionate about being frustrated.
That’s the one roadblock I can’t overcome. I cannot see myself doing anything other than journalism. Not public relations, not publishing, not law school (well, maybe law school on the days I fantasize about being someday able to buy designer shoes).
I haven’t graduated with my bachelor’s degree yet, but I am already a journalist. I feel like journalism chose me.
Despite economic woes and scandals, journalists still do great things. Look at the Pulitzer Prizes for this year, especially in the public service category. Journalism still makes people angry and changes the world. As long as journalism does that, whether it’s in Podunk, Iowa, or Baghdad, whether it’s operating in the red or the black, I want to be a part of it.
That’s the point. If you’re in love with this, you don’t give up. And no matter how frustrated I get, I’m not going to.
As Walter Williams wrote in 1906, “I believe in the profession of journalism.”
I do.
3 responses so far ↓
Alex Tiegen // April 23, 2008 at 2:55 am |
This makes me happy. Welcome to the online journalism meltdown club, Pelliroja. Wait until you start having your articles published professionally at your internship. Literally started having dreams about having fact errors. It gets better though. Glad you’re sticking in there.
P.S.: Aren’t you glad that the Pulitzer articles this year are actually people are god writers and good people? I read the winners and was like, “Wow. I enjoyed reading these when they were published.”
Hilary Lehman // April 24, 2008 at 9:32 pm |
Yes, SUPER glad. Yay Anne Hull!
Gigi // April 27, 2008 at 11:03 pm |
As a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism (home of Walter Williams Hall, among other things), your mother thanks you for the hyperlink to the alma mater. That said, it’s also good to be a Florida Gator — at least when it’s Heisman time.
Will try not to post too often on your blog, but Ifigured since I was mentioned in another post I was allowed just this once ….