A Summer of Reporting

Tomorrow it will be a week since I started here at the Columbia Missourian. Six more weeks to go!

I feel like I am a total failure when it comes to this reporting stuff. This is disheartening because I do love to write and tell peoples' stories. However, I remind myself surely everyone feels like a failure when they just start out...

I can tell you this experience is going to add a whole new layer to my perspective. Already I feel a deep sense of compassion and sympathy for journalists. Before, I was always frustrated with those who write about agriculture not knowing what they talk about. Now I'm on the other side and realize it's tough! There's so many things to think about, so many aspects to include, so many people to talk to (if you can find them) and so many things can go wrong.

That to me doesn't excuse the problem, but it does make me realize it's incredibly important for farmers and people in ag to stand up and be willing to be sources.

Here at the Missourian we do accuracy checks with all our sources just to make sure everything we wrote down is accurate. I think it's incredibly smart, though at times I'll admit it's kind of a pain. For example, right now I'm entering my eleventh hour here in the newsroom because I'm waiting for a source to call me back. I hate bothering people, yet I also want to make sure it's right.

I now understand what my professors say about staying awake at night worrying over their stories.

To learn more about what I'm reporting on, you can visit the blog I'm writing for class. I'll probably keep it more updated on the day-to-day reporting than on here. It will also turn into my e-portfolio.

Some Pictures of Home

Schools Out...for a Little While

School is finally over for the semester! Last week, I turned in my final paper, took a couple tests, finished up some work stuff (so many AAEA award entries to organize!) and I was home free! 

Well, at least for a couple days. 

Tomorrow I have to go back, and Thursday I start reporting for the Missourian. Yes, I'm slightly terrified. Everyone I talk to, even professors, say it's going to be an intense, scary undertaking this summer. The Missourian is the university-run city newspaper. It's published 6 times a week, and journalism students are the reporters. This means I may be reporting on accidents, court cases, fires... I just don't know. 

There are a lot of unknowns, but I do know it's going to be an invaluable experience along my journey as an ag journalist. I expect it to be difficult, frustrating and stressful, but I know I have to do it and I know I'm going to get through it. 

From what experiences I have had as a "reporter," I know there's a lot of neat people out there who have stories to tell. I'm going to try to focus on the people, and pray (a lot) that everything falls into place. I have faith it will though. I ran across a quote the other day that said, "If God brings you to it, He'll bring you through it." I know without a doubt I'm in this position for a reason, and something will come out of it. 

So far, I do have one story lead thanks to my advisor. That to me is proof it will be ok. 

I'm still at home for, oh, around 24 hours. So, I'm going to make the most of it and head out to take some pictures with the camera my dad gave me for my birthday. I'll try to post some of those soon!