I came to Chicago in order to find opportunities. I came to earn a masters degree, get my foot in the door, get some experience, make some connections, and get the experience of living in a different part of the country.
As I'm applying for internships, I'm floored at all of the positions available to me. I've even developed an interest and enthusiasm for broadcast I didn't think I would ever have (I don't like being on camera, but editing and producing is exciting). I'm applying for editorial and broadcast internships to keep my options open, but the experience at a news station is what I really want. Even if I hate it -- which I can't imagine I would -- the experience is going to be invaluable to me. I'll
know if working behind the scenes at a TV station is what I really want instead of wondering. I came to Chicago because I never wanted to wonder "what if?"
My biggest concern is that I don't have the advantage of growing up here and knowing all of the history and locations of everything. But I'm learning, and I have my own experiences and knowledge to bring to the table too.
On Monday, I'm meeting with an internship coordinator at DePaul. I hope she can help open doors for me to get interviews and eventually an internship this summer. I want to make the most out of being in Chicago, which is why I'm taking a photojournalism class that has never been available to me until now and also a Chicago Olympics class. I have my first Olympics assignment on Saturday.
I think now is the best and worst time to be in journalism; I'm determined to make the most of it.
ll over the world.
