Actions speak louder than age

By Megan Gordon
Special to chipsquinn.org

Posted: Feb. 14, 2008

Megan Gordon

As I sit at my desk in my cluttered bedroom, I wonder what will happen after I graduate.

It makes me nervous to think about going out into the “real world” and becoming a “real reporter.” The more I think about it the more I am forced to start preparing.

Then it hits me: I am prepared. I have become a “real reporter.”

I quickly realized while working at the Des Moines Register last summer that my actions spoke louder than my age or experience. The editors expected me to work just as hard as the other reporters and pushed me to do more.

In my first week on staff, I reported a front page story about a tornado that ripped through eastern Iowa. As we were tracking the storm, I was required to update the Web site with new information as the story broke and throughout my shift.

Throughout my internship, I reported on murders, car accidents, education, weather and sports. The editors and reporters pushed me to become a better writer and reporter. I even had some photography assignments thrown at me.

The thing I want to take away from this summer is confidence. I may be unorganized and new to journalism, but I have the drive to make it in the “real world” of journalism.

I am confident that I can tackle any story that comes my way.

This spring I will graduate and join the “real world.”

But I know that I am already a “real journalist.”

Back to top