Beginnings and endings

This week, I’m putting bookends on the shelf of my early journalism endeavors.

Today, I got interviewed for the position of managing editor for print at the Independent Florida Alligator, where I’ve spent so much of my life since I started working there in January of 2007.

I got the job, and I’ll be working with Ken Schwencke, who is managing editor for online, and Jessie DaSilva, who is editor in chief.

I don’t think it’s possible to put into words how grateful I am for this opportunity, but I’m a journalist, so I’ll try.

I’m beyond excited to be able to manage a newsroom and work on interpersonal communication. It’s a job where my top priority is talking to people and getting to know their problems, concerns and triumphs, which is rewarding. I also get to play a part in the coverage of news, both in Gainesville and at the University of Florida.

It’s a big responsibility, yes, but I can’t wait to take it on with people who I see as friends and as great journalists.

On Monday, I’ll end my internship at the San Antonio Express-News, which has exceeded my expectations of what an internship could be. I’ve learned so much there about reporting, being edited and working in a newsroom, and I’ll be sad to go.

I’ve done stories on everything, whether it was animals, shootings or weather. It’s been crazy and sometimes stressful, but I’ve loved all of it.

I’m looking forward to what my last year as a college student will bring. And I’ll be blogging all of it.