Why journalism?

One of the most commonly asked questions when students declare their majors in college is why they want to do what they want to do. Most of the time the answer is to make good money, do something you’re passionate about or follow in a family path. For journalism, that question is a little harder to answer.

It’s no secret that journalists aren’t leading the world in wealthiest salaries, and it’s not exactly the most secure job. So why do people do it? I can’t answer for everyone, maybe some people thought it would be an easy major. But for me, it’s a career in curiosity.

Journalists are the most curious people there are, without being constrained to one field. From my experience working in three separate newsrooms, I’ve learned more about the world around me than anyone can from working in one profession. I’ve covered a U.S. Senate Debate, the dramatic ending of a village's garbage contract, rat casinos, all the best events going on in my hometown of Milwaukee and so much more.

I’ve experienced so many different ways of living, so many perspectives and so many stories through journalism, opening my eyes to a world that seems to have no end – a world I want to discover every bit of.

While my journalism experience so far has been local to the Milwaukee and Oxford areas, my hope is to one day take all I have learned and apply that knowledge to discovering every corner of Earth; from the war-torn Gaza Strip to the controversial Chinese capital city of Beijing, and everything in between. After all, a person who has experienced only what they are comfortable with has experienced nothing at all.

In a way, journalists are the most selfish, selfless individuals out there. Although my personal aspirations are the driving force behind my desire to discover the world, I have always felt like I want to help people in the best way I know: through writing. I want to empower people who otherwise feel voiceless, which brings my two missions into one clear path.

I know not everyone wants to be a journalist. Nearly every person I’ve ever talked to cannot even fathom how I want to make a career out of writing, a skill some people describe as a form of torture. So if nothing I’ve written so far has had any impact on you, take this bottom line from what I’ve said: during your time at college, study something that absolutely ignites your fire.

Whether that be economics or biology, English literature or theater, secondary education or Spanish, find what intrigues you. Don’t waste your time studying something you are only half interested in. Even worse, don’t for one minute say there isn’t anything you are interested in: Trust me, you just haven’t discovered it yet.

Journalism is my personal passion, it’s time for you to discover your why.

patelou@miamioh.edu

Olivia serves as the managing editor of The Miami Student, and is a junior studying journalism and political science, with a minor in classical studies. She is highly involved on Miami University’s campus and enjoys being in the know about all that is happening at Miami.