When I was younger my friends would always tell me that I should be a reporter.
I always wanted to be the first to know what was happening and the first to tell people. While watching sports I would have my computer open to be the first to let the world (my friends on Facebook) know through social media when something major would happen.
If someone scored a goal I was on it. I always wanted to be the first, but it wasn't until my final year of high school that it all made sense.
Like most 18-year-olds I was coming to my final year of high school and had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.
I am a big believer of the saying ”everything happens for a reason,” but I wasn't quite sure why I couldn't figure out what to do with my life. My friends all had plans but, I was just waiting for a sign and I'll be honest I was getting nervous.
It wasn't until I had been given the opportunity to enroll in a co-op course through my high school. My family suggested I try to get my placement with our local newspaper, the Haliburton Echo. They told me I would probably love it, I was unsure, but like most times in my life, they were right.
The action and energy of the newsroom was something I looked forward to everyday when going to work. I'll never forget the first time I saw someone reading one of my articles at the coffee shop. That's when I knew I wanted to be in this field.
I decided to apply for journalism programs and was accepted by Loyalist College in Belleville, ON. A program that was so hands on. A live newsroom, access to great journalists turned professors. I don't think I would be who I am without that newsroom, or the people in it who helped me.
After graduating I took a year to further my learning by taking a Public Relations course at Loyalist. After that I knew where I truly wanted to work.
But, a few months after completing that program I accepted the offer to join this newsroom with the Bonnyville Nouvelle, and Lakeland Regional.
This area has the same feel as small hometown of Wilberforce, ON. Which is something I am thankful for and has made my 3,000-plus kilometre move a lot easier.
Everything happens for a reason, and after seeing this community I am starting to realize the reason I have come here.
