Four months ago...

I sold my life and soul to broadcast journalism.

Thirteen stories later....I'm almost at disbelief to report that I survived to tell the tale.

325. The class that all broadcast journalism majors dread. Every week for an entire semester, reporters are required to find their own stories, find credible sources to interview, shoot b-roll, shoot a stand-up, write (multiple) scripts, edit footage, voice over, produce and submit graphics, compose a package, and attempt to look good on live television, in addition to a radio story -- every. single. week.

Needless to say, I struggled.

I experienced back-knotting stress, countless sleepless nights, 6:00am treks up to the Brimhall, tears, and daily thoughts of, "Do I really want to do this for the rest of my life??"

I remember my first story I was terrified! I chose to do a piece on skin cancer prevention, and showed up at a Rite Aid parking lot to film a skin cancer tour without the slightest idea what I was doing. After looking like an idiot trying to find out what was going on, I met some of the nicest people!!! The tour director and the dermatologist I interviewed were so helpful. Andrew (bless his heart) even showed up for moral support and took me to lunch after. I'll never forget that day. I feel like I've come miles from then.

Here's a few other pics of my epic journey as a reporter:

Dermatology center in AF. They were so patient when I asked them to re-enact a check-up several annoying times. Such nice people!!!

My first live shot on depression awareness. By far my favorite story. Dr. Golightly was so gracious and helpful and Kels even came out to show some love! Shout out to Bro. Green as my photographer!

Thaicycles Benefit Concert with j. wride! Check out Thaicycles here and j. wride here. AMAZING stuff going on. Joel was so nice and got me in for free. Definitely my funnest story!

Prescription Drug Take-Back. I'd been calling Kye Nordfelt, "Kynor" all day. As if we were like BFF's or something. Haha...Embarrassing.

As a health beat reporter, I met so many kind and helpful people in the medical field. I seriously couldn't have gotten through the semester without those people, my fellow reporters, and my amazing friends and family. If anything, this experience brought me deeper-felt gratitude to have met and know such sweet and genuine people in my life.

Celebration dinner with some of the news family! I love these people.

Please take special note of Anna's face. It brings me great joy.

More than anything, my experience as a student journalist brought me a greater appreciation and respect for journalists around the world in every medium. The job is no easy task. I revere the plethora of men and women who are passionate and devoted enough to dedicate their lives to round the clock hours of seeking truth and reporting it. I believe that journalism remedies people of ignorance. It gives a voice to the voiceless. It inspires people to fight for freedom. I can't imagine a world without it.

Below is my first resume reel! Don't judge...I still have a long way to go and this thing still needs a lot of work (aka almost all my stand-ups were deleted so I should probably shoot some new ones...), but here's just a taste of my first attempt at being a bona fide reporter:



325 was, without a doubt, the hardest class of my college career. But you know what? It was worth it. I really feel so grateful to be part of one of the top communications programs in the nation.

As Anners would say: NBD.

This is Anna and I at the library earlier tonight, studying. Or should I say "studying". Ha.


FINALS WEEK.
The bane of our existence.

There's only two reasons I can think of why this situation was bearable.
1. Anna.
2. We can revel in our freedom: NO MORE REPORTING.

One week till I can actually kick back and finally reunite with my family. Until then...Bring it, BYU.