The Call to Write

I don't want to pursue journalism because I see large paychecks or any sort of glamorous lifestyle in that job. I don't want to pursue it because I believe it will be easy to write or move up in the field. I want to be a journalist because of a few minor, yet very important details.

The first reason is extremely simple: I like writing, I enjoy expressing my ideas and I believe that with a little bit of tutelage I can become pretty good at it. In my adult life, I will seek comfort wherever I can and I feel comfortable when I write. It is not something that is easy or without its stressors. But for the most part, I simply enjoy when my work is something within my comfort zone.

For example, as I write this my parents and aunt are listening to Shout by Tears for Fears on an old cassette in the kitchen. Listening to them is an interactive activity which includes singing and a strange form of gyrating that might be mistaken for dancing by those born before Aerosmith was cool. I am slightly embarrassed to admit that I could not help but join in on the chorus from where I sat in the kitchen nook typing these very words.

I do not have to stray too far from my comfort zone in order to put down my thoughts. In fact, having something going on around can help stimulate ideas to put into writing. I understand that this is not a scenario that will happen often—especially if I become a journalist at a newspaper or other major outlet—but it's exciting that this type of atmosphere is possible.

The second reason I want to pursue journalism is the opportunity to be around things I enjoy and express my thoughts on things that matter to me. Similar to the comfort I have with writing, the comfort I have from following and being around sports is something that excites me.

I imagine following, watching, meeting and even travelling with a baseball team or a football team and being the link between the fans and the players. Sports grabs my interest and keeping focused and energized would be easy—even on long road trips.

The third and final reason that I want to become a journalist is the recognition a writer receives. Even in the fledgling weeks of this column, I have been very grateful to hear a lot of positive feedback from people who read what I have to say.

I have heard from friends, family and friends of family who have read these entries and supported what I’m doing. It is a good feeling to have the most meaningful people in my life be supportive of something I enjoy and compliment me on my endeavors.

I also really enjoy hearing from those who have little or no connection with me. Having family and friends be supportive is something that is almost expected— it is part of the job of being a friend or family member. But having people go out of their way without any knowledge of who I am to tell me they appreciate the things that I am doing is a humbling experience.

The most interesting example of this came as a great surprise to me. I was feeling a little stressed out because I needed to send in my mid-year report to the University of Kansas Honors College to be considered for admission there, and I was having a difficult time coordinating with my counselor.

I sent an email to the Honors College to get some information about what they needed and when. I got not only the answer to the question but also a follow-up message that caught my attention. The link was to my column , which chronicled my trip to Kansas and visit to the honors program.

Someone at KU had stumbled across the article and spread it around to their coworkers at the university. When my name came through, they must have recognized it and were kind enough to compliment me on my work.

It was very inspiring to receive feedback on my work and see that it is worth my while to put in the time to post my thoughts and feelings for people to see.

I am not someone who hopes to hog the spotlight, but to have my name recognized by people and to be known around a region or circle of people is something I hope to accomplish with my career. I don’t want to be just another person performing a remedial job and living in my own world.

When my name is mentioned, I want people to know the person that goes with the name. I want to have a place in my community and I want my work to be appreciated on a more profound level than in the figure on a paycheck.

For now, I am just a kid in the hallways at school like any other, and the only thing that will differentiate me from my peers on graduation is the color of my ropes and the name they call for me to receive my diploma.

It is what I do after graduation that will define whether I have left a small legacy that I can reflect on with pride.