Jack of all trades, master of none.
In my reminiscence fifteen years ago, I was a child dreaming to become “this” or “that.” I once dreamed to become an astronaut who travels in space, or a scientist who formulates and discovers things through observation and curiosity. There was a time that I dreamed to become an architect, a detective, a doctor, a biologist, a scientist or an archeologist. There was also a time that I wanted to pursue all of them like what the Philippine national hero Jose Rizal did 130 years ago.
But, it did not comes to my mind, even once, as if there was no such career akin to be a Journalist.
When I am in the phase of growing up, I have had discovered myself that I am a person who always on the go and constantly renovate and some time redesign. I like to be introduced to new things and see new perspectives. I am not comfortable if I remain in one place for long. I enjoy travel and adventure, and have a very observant eye.
My elementary and high school years taught me to discover myself, to know more, and to develop more, to make me realize what career I shall pursue when I will be in college. Of course, it’s impossible to be like “Jose Rizal” who had 22 occupations in a single life.
Then suddenly, my grade five teacher entered me in the field of writing, specifically in feature writing. I did not know that I have also a talent being a writer whom this teacher of mine visualized ten years ago. Still in my high school years, I was engaged in writing, but in writing news for the school publication. My adviser even bonded me in press conference contests I did not dreamed before. And now that I am in my college years, I am now pursuing the course I never dreamed; it is to be a journalist.
I am not the kind of person who has the guts to speak in front of many people. Speaking is not my forte. This was the reason why I did not want it. But I realized that journalism does not mean just to speak or to inform facts to the public.
I learned while pursuing this for almost three years that it is deeper and more complex than any courses I thought before. I also discovered that to be a journalist is to be engaged in almost all fields of work. How? One cannot write something without knowing something. Curiosity of a scientist enters here. A wild and innovative mind of a novelist is needed to grasp more the true happenings of the surroundings. An on the go and must be always ready person, investigating issues like in politics and solving crimes as detective does. Creativity, a substantial trait of architects sketching designs of lives in people’s minds to help them see the real world within. An archeologist who digs history, reveal the truth for the present and serves as artifacts for the future. A perseverant attitude of a biologist concerning environmental and health issues and a doctor helping to treat certain kind of diseases in politics and human rights like corruption, racial discrimination and ethnicity. How to make all of these? Reveal the truth with the use of the said traits by using paper and pen for giving the right information creatively to the public.
To be a journalist is not just to be a writer. One must be more curious, more observant and creative, have a wild mind, a saver and dedicated person for the many. Most importantly, one must have patience and perseverance to sweat blood searching for every significant data from relevant sources and in order for the people to absorb the news well.
One thing I adore being a journalist is that it must have the guts to digest the discouragements as encouragements even if how hard it is. Honestly, it is not just easy to be a journalist. But if a person is into it and likes it, then he will eventually enjoys and engages with it. As if he is not working for money but for the principle of revealing the truth.
Speaking is not my forte. Maybe writing does, but for sure, observing and listening are what I like most. Journalists are jack of all trades, master of none. Journalist, who masters nothing, reveals the truth.
Back to Home
Headlines/News
Opinion
Sports
Features
|
RSS Feed