Hello Clarkston!
I am a 23-year-old, 2007 graduate of Rochester College with a B.A. in English, and a 2003 grad of Lapeer East High School.
All week I had been racking my brain with what to say for my first, intro column. To start with, I am the new guy, not just the new guy to The Clarkston News, but new to the workforce ? what I would call the real workforce.
It’s so weird to think that I have spent the last 18 years in school and at the end of the summer, I won’t be returning to school. Or to know that when I get home every night I don’t have to go work the night shift bussing tables at some restaurant or mopping the floor of a grocery store.
But I have finally arrived at a 9-5 job, well, with the exception of a night meeting, and occasional weekend story.
It’s even weirder to think that I am done with homework forever, at least homework in terms of school, that is. Unless I go back, but I am hoping that I won’t have to.
What a relief it is to know that when the weekend comes and I don’t have to cover a story, that I can enjoy my weekend off.
Maybe now I can start getting some real use out of my golf clubs and bowling ball.
Or even perhaps help my dad out by mowing the lawn. I have missed riding that old Cub Cadet, while singing along with my head phones at the top of my lungs. There is nothing better than the smell of fresh cut grass.
You are probably wondering what made me want to be a journalist.
Well, my writing career dates back all the way to the first grade and ever since then I have enjoyed writing. I always thought that my words looked better on paper than they sounded coming from my mouth.
I always considered written word to be my best form of expression. There is something awesome about sitting down and etching my feelings and thoughts onto the pages of my journal.
Or just sitting down to a computer and hearing the music of my fingers as they pound out each letter onto the page, until I have created a piece of art? or, shall I say, attempted.
As far as journalism writing goes, I did not start that style until my freshman year of college when I joined the newspaper staff. It was a Christian College so I thought it would be fun to do inspirational articles.
I thought that perhaps my writing could help others see the world through a different point of view, or bring them to a deeper understanding and knowledge of God.
I also had a wonderful door of opportunity that was opened for me to become a summer intern at the LA View last year. The three months I spent with the LA View gave me rewarding experiences that helped sharpen my journalism/writing skills.
And now I can say that I am very proud to be a staff writer of The Clarkston News. It is an honor to be working with a company that has been publishing since 1929.
I take my job with pride and will do my best to report the truth with integrity. Until next time, God Bless!