Quite the Learning Curve

Since starting this job at the Phillips County Newspaper, I have received a lot of encouragement and positive feedback from many of our readers. For that, I am very thankful. I was very nervous taking this job, mainly because it is something that I have never done before. Nothing like it at all. Not since high school have I written so much. And my teachers back then would probably tell you I didn’t write that much then.

I did send my high school English teacher a message, telling her what I was about to embark on. I’m pretty sure she fainted. It took a few minutes for her to reply, but when she did, she gave me a thumbs up and a vote of confidence. She then asked what the publication was called so she could look up my work and give me a grade! To which I laughed, half-heartedly, because deep down, I knew she was serious! I wasn’t the worst student, but I wasn’t the best either. I did about all that was asked. Nothing more, nothing less. I had the attitude of, if you wanted more, you should have asked for more. I did what was asked.

When I started at the paper, I told Pierre that it was going to be a big learning curve for me, but I would do the best that I could. I believe I will always be learning new things at this job, and I like that about it. Learning how to interview my subjects. Learning what questions to ask. How to better convey the story. Pierre has been a great help to me from the start, and Jennifer French and Sophia Hebert have been big helps as well, catching all of my typos. I’m pretty sure Pierre threw me in the deep end at the beginning to see if I could swim. I believe I have kept my head above water, so far.

It may have taken 32 years out of high school, but I have finally found a job that I really like, and one that can keep me interested. It’s something new every week.

I would like to thank all that wished me good luck, and those that have given me a small pat on the back for a good job. It has given me a little more confidence with every story I do. I hope to get better with each one.