I joined the Chimes at a time when I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do with my life.
I had started college as a public relations and communications major. I chose that major on a whim, when thinking about what my strengths were and what would be the easiest route to getting a full-time job after college.
Nearing the end of my first year, I noticed I wasn’t enjoying it. I was going to be miserable if I had to write another tweet or apology press release.
I realized I wasn’t doing something I was passionate about, but rather something I thought was an easy and safe option.
Near the end of my first year, I decided to take an introduction to sociology class because I had always been interested in social sciences.
While taking this class, I realized it was something I really enjoyed and a class I was excited to go to.
That’s when I decided I would change my major to criminology.
But what was going to be my career? I wasn’t exactly sure, but I decided to settle on what many interested in crime do: become a lawyer.
I had always been told I would be a good lawyer because I like to argue, so it seemed like a good fit to me (even though I wasn’t too sure how the whole law school thing would go).
My whole second year was filled with not really paying much attention to school or thinking about the future. Yes, this was the year COVID-19 hit and everything was remote.
When everyone returned to campus my junior year, I finally decided to do something I had been wanting to do since freshman year: join the Chimes.
Before starting my first year at Capital, I decided that I wanted to try out the Chimes as a fun little side hobby.
When freshman year actually started, I was concerned about being too busy, so I didn’t join. Then my sophomore year was fully online.
But, lo and behold, it was my junior year and now my perfect chance to start something I had been wanting to do.
When I was assigned my first story, I felt like I couldn’t start it fast enough.
I was excited and anxious to begin. It was an article about how students felt about the university’s vaccine mandate.
Nothing was more nerve-wracking than going up to people I didn’t know to ask for a quote.
I had probably texted Robert, our editor-in-chief at the time, a million questions because I had never written a journalistic article and wanted to make sure I got it right.
Seeing my first article published online with my byline was such a rewarding feeling, and it even ended up on the front page.
I couldn’t wait to get started on my next story. And that feeling never went away; it didn’t feel like a job or schoolwork, it felt genuinely enjoyable and exciting.
Before I knew it, I was taking on the bigger stories and seeing myself get quite familiar with the front page.
The nerves surrounding interviews and approaching strangers started to fade.
I never backed down from a challenging story that may receive some pushback; in fact, those were my favorite ones.
I had the realization that this is what I’m passionate about.
Informing my community, bringing light to important issues, storytelling and using journalism to make a difference.
That’s when I knew I had to make journalism my minor. I didn’t have enough time to add a major, but a minor would do.
During the second semester of my senior year, I became Managing Editor of the Chimes.
During my time as Managing Editor, I got to take a trip to New York City with the rest of the talented Chimes staff for the spring College Media Association conference.
The convention enabled us to learn from journalists and talent recruiters from CNN, The New York Times and more.
My senior year has also consisted of an internship.
My published work from the Chimes was likely a huge factor in obtaining my internship with Spectrum News 1 Columbus.
Through this internship, I have written published articles, done segments that have aired on TV and I am currently putting together my first broadcast story.
I have been mentored by talented journalists and learned so much.
I owe it all to the Chimes for helping me find my passion and get started in the field of journalism.
Looking back, I would’ve told my freshman year self to join the Chimes to save myself from lots of confusion and changing my mind. I may not make as much as I would if I were a lawyer, but I’m certain I will be in a field that inspires me every day.
Now, I’m about to graduate; and while it’s bittersweet leaving the Chimes, I am beyond excited to start my career and enter the chaotic and wonderful world of journalism.
