Talk...Who Me?

I’ve always loved to write, from the plays and short stories my cousins and I put together when we were younger to competing in essay contests. Writing is enjoyable and a great way to communicate thoughts and ideas, just some of the reasons I started this blog in the first place.

One thing I don’t do well at is talking. I have always been known as the “quiet girl” and I will admit my conversational skills are somewhat lacking. So why did I spend an hour this morning at KTTN, our local radio station, talking to owner John Anthony about opportunities for some radio experience? A couple reasons.

First off, I know that the ability to speak is very important in all career fields. According to the 2011 National Association of Colleges and Employers Job Outlook Survey, the ability to verbally communicate is in the top five most important skills employers look for. Going into a communications field means that this skill is not just important but essential. If in the future my job requires me to speak on the radio, I will have a little experience, and if not then my repertoire of skills will at least be a little more rounded. 

Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, I see this venture as a way to push my comfort zone to a new level. A couple years ago I would have been shaking just going to the radio station. True, I’m still not completely confident in my speaking skills, but I can do it. And the more I do it, the more comfortable I’ll get. Plus, I realize that it’s easier to try to expand my comfort zone now while supportive people surround me rather than to wait until it’s just me.

Something I’ve learned from my experiences with Diane Lowrey at the Republican Times and now John Anthony at KTTN, as well as other community members, is that Trenton folk want Trenton folk to succeed, and they do whatever they can to help make it so. I’m excited about the new adventures up ahead, and I’m appreciative to all those who’ve made those adventures possible. It’ll be interesting to see where the future leads! Who knows, maybe I’ll find that I actually like to talk!