What I want to be when I grow up: My first taste of a career in journalism

When you’re a kid, adults’ favorite question to ask you is “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

At 5, I wanted to be a teacher; at 8, I wanted to be an astronaut, then a singer at 9, the first woman president at 11, a bakery owner at 14 and an oncologist at 15. My mom poked fun that I changed my mind as often as I changed clothes.

Once you make it past elementary school, people stop asking the question as much – until you move on to high school and it’s no longer some imaginary dream; it’s real life and time to start thinking about college. Naturally, I started this process early as a freshman because I’m Type A and wanted to have my whole future planned out. 

I sat in my guidance counselor’s office and stared at the blue sheet labeled “Sophomore Registration Form.” I had one last slot to fill on my schedule. I anxiously perused the form to pick a class that could determine my future career. My eyes caught “Introduction to Journalism" and I thought to myself, “That could be fun. I like to write.”

That was four years ago. 

Now, I’m wrapping up my freshman year of college at Miami University. I’ve spent this whole year eating, sleeping and breathing journalism. I took three journalism classes, became a staff writer for The Miami Student, earned the role of Social Media Director for RedHawk TV, served as an undergraduate assistant for a journalism course and interned for the Oxford Free Press (OFP). 

Rosemary Pennington, one of my professors last semester and a member of OFP’s board, introduced my class to the internship opportunity last December. I remember thinking, “Wow, that would be an amazing opportunity, but I don’t think I have time.” I made the hard decision to pass it up. 

I came to class the next day and Pennington asked me if I had applied yet. I told her I thought I was too busy, and although she understood my situation, she still encouraged me to give it a shot. Anyone that knows her knows she’s a hard woman to say no to.

Yet I still felt hesitant, until Aidan Cornue, editor-in-chief of OFP, emailed me. How was I supposed to turn it down now?

So I applied, and I’m eternally grateful I did.

Of course I love journalism, or I wouldn’t be studying it. I’ve appreciated every professor I’ve had this year, and I enjoy the clubs I’ve gotten involved with, but nothing made me fall more in love with being a journalist than this internship with OFP. 

It’s one thing to sit in a classroom and learn AP Style and what kind of questions to ask a source in an interview; it’s another thing to be out on the ground reporting and gaining real-life experience. OFP gave me the opportunity to do that. 

During my time at the Free Press, I forced myself out of my comfort zone. I remember during my interview for the internship, Katelyn Aluise asked me if I was comfortable going up to strangers and asking them questions for interviews. I gave my best fake confidence smile, nodded and said I hadn’t had a lot of experience with it, but I was willing to jump in and wanted to improve.

And I did. I don’t get nervous before calling a stranger anymore. I don’t mind asking someone if I can take a photo. I don’t mind bugging someone if I don’t get a response right away – well maybe I still feel a little bad, but I’m working on it.

I can confidently say the skills I’ve learned in my roughly four months here have prepared me more for my career than anything else.

I’ll admit, there were a few moments this semester where I had to ask myself if I could handle working as a journalist long-term.

I struggled with people not taking me seriously because of my age, or people not responding for interviews. But I’m glad I faced the challenge early in my career, so I could learn it comes as part of the job, rather than be surprised later. 

And above all else, the Free Press gave me a family. I know that sounds cheesy, but it’s true. Freshman year of college can be quite lonely at times, but each member of our small staff helped build the healthiest work environment I’ve experienced. I never felt alone. I felt like I could make mistakes, ask for advice and get help if I needed it. 

It’s scary being a student journalist, and all you can hope for is that you’ll be surrounded with people who are patient and understand you’re still learning. OFP gave me a safe space to do that. 

Sometimes I still feel like I’m waiting to grow up, but when people ask me what I want to be, I tell them, “Right where I am.” 

Thank you to the Oxford Free Press, and to all the wonderful people that make it go round.