Where Am I Now?

I always hate it when people ask me what I want to do after leaving college. For me it is just one of those questions I never have a good answer for. So I always give one of two of the same, broad-brush answers: "Something in the journalistic field," or, "Something writing centric."

I never like the way it sounds leaving my mouth, and some negative little voice in the back of my head pops in to suggest that the person who asked is always thinking the same thing.

Oh, they think, the idealistic twenty-something milennial wants to be a writer? Gonna change the world with words, are you? The pen is mightier than the sword, is it? Look out, everyone, here comes the next Bukowski!

Or maybe I'm just a pessimist. My point is, I still haven't quite figured myself out and I only have a year of college left. With that in mind I have to ask myself why I want to pursue this path. Why writing? Why journalism?

As far back as I can remember I wanted to be a writer.

And now I have to go watch my favorite movie again. See you in three hours.

I wrote a lot of stories when I was a kid. I still write them today, and I've gotten to the point where I enjoy writing non-fictional things as well. Things like editorials, reviews, even essays. The process of chosing the right words to articulte a point is an enjoyable one for me, and when it all comes out as you intended it the feeling is cathartic.

As for journalism, in an age of fake news and subjective thinkpieces masuerading as objective reporting, the fourth estate is more important than ever. People deserve truth and integrity and if I can give it to them, I will.

Don't worry, I have no illusions that I'll be the one uncovering the next Watergate scandal, but it doesn't hurt to dream.

Image source: Goodfellas. (n.d.). Retrieved July 13, 2017, from https://www.warnerbros.com/goodfellas Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.