Yes? YES!

*This article was published on March 17, 2013 as a final requirement for my Journalism 198-Journalism Internship class. The question asked by my professor was this: Do you see yourself working for mainstream media? Why or why not? Only time can tell if the journalist in me the day I wrote this article will still be the journalist I will be years from now.*

When asked if I see myself a journalist for mainstream media or papers, in a heartbeat, I’d say—yes!

I see myself in those rugged, probably Merrel mountaineering shoes, loose pants, and plain shirts of gray, brown, black, or brown. I do not leave without a cap to at least protect my head and my face from the heat of the sun.

I care not about the latest fashion trends because what I care more is the convenience to run, move, leap, when needed in the type of story I am covering. But I’d love to dress up if ever the news outfit I am affiliated with sends me to a seminar where I need to look a bit more formal.

I will never leave our home without my backpack because it serves as my security blanket. I am certain that in that backpack are my ballpens (yes, with an ‘S’ because I will never leave without one), my recorder. I am pretty sure that in my backpack is my Kikay Kit where personal hygiene stuff are in just in case I am sent somewhere far immediately. My bottle of water and a few pack of biscuits are also there. I can surely survive with this backpack so I’ll never leave it.

I will have new friends by this time. They are my colleagues from different media outfits. We are aware that we are competitors but we help each other and give each other a pat in the back once we get a big scoop of news that come out in Front Page. I’ll get a lot of tap in the back. I’ll make sure I will.

I have editors who I seldom see because their office is far from me. I only send my stories through email. I am always saved by the free WiFi in restaurants which I often use just to send my story to them. Before I leave home, I already developed a habit of making sure all of my gadgets are fully charged. I became more responsible when it comes to this because I know these gadgets will allow me to make a better story.

This real-journalist life is unbelievable. I feel like I’m still doing a legwork for my Journalism 102-News Writing subject but I get published from time to time to a real newspaper.

I am never tired and I guess never will be tired with this kind of routine of waking up every morning, visiting my sources or sending them text messages if there are any news. Some mornings are more exciting because it is a feature article I am writing. That means I get to interact and meet new people and hear their stories. I love how they trust me and allow me to write their stories.

The thing is, this job of mine in the future is not a high paying job. I’m thankful to have an understanding parents who, even if life and money earning is hard, allowed me to pursue being a journalist. We share the same blood and maybe that is the reason why they are as happy as I am when I see my byline in the newspaper. The issue on money suddenly fades and I, they too, feel proud.

I am not just pertaining to a romantic relationship but saying “Yes” if I see myself as a journalist pressures me to give my commitment to something. And if we are alluding to romantic relationship in this part, may I end this by saying that when I say that I see myself writing for mainstream media, I mean to make each day count as Jack Dawson said in Titanic and until death do us part as all wedding vows are sealed.