Wow, the last three days have absolutely FLOWN by…it feels like we just arrived yesterday! There have been so many amazing experiences that have opened my eyes to the countless different types and levels of journalism. Looking back at my first blog, all of my expectations have definitely been met. After hearing so many knowledgeable individuals and countless different points of view, I am even more confused and unsettled about my future than I was when I arrived. Please understand that this is not a bad thing…if securing a future was easy, then I don’t think it would be worth the ride.
So, I’d like to examine and discuss what I have learned from a few of the phenomenal speakers I have heard these past three days. Allow me to begin with our National Press Club Panel; a group of professional journalists that addressed us at the National Press Club on Tuesday morning. These panelists were one of my favorite because of they were so relatable…they joked with each other, made the whispered wise crack into the microphone, and addressed each student when a question was asked. I especially enjoyed Chris Cilliza and his remarks. Something about this panel that started to make me think about my future was Cilliza’s remark that the job never stops. It’s not a 9 to 5 kind of occupation; you’ve got to be ready for anything at anytime. I am passionate about everything I do, so the dedication concept doesn’t bother me. What does worry me, however, is that I always hoped to get married and have a family of my own someday. With this kind of occupation, I’m not sure that could easily happen.
And, of course, my favorite speaker was Chuck Todd. What a great guy! I loved his demeanor; he was so down-to-earth for someone who is as big as he is in the business. What I really liked about his talk is that he didn’t keep pushing the “where is journalism going?” ticket. Instead, he was very blunt about it. He was adamant is his belief in the strength of first-person media, of the need to get information first-hand. Overall, I just really enjoyed hearing from someone who was that knowledgeable in the field!!