One of the things I enjoy most about my job is the opportunity to work on a variety of projects. All of them involve some type of writing or editing (no kidding!). But for the past few months, I’ve gotten to come out from behind my computer screen and embrace a new role . . .
I have added “reporter” to my list to my list of “can dos.”
Yes, I have had the chance each month to interview some local high school students who are participating in a six-session leadership training program called the Legacy Youth Institute and then to write a news story about that month’s session. I must admit that at first I was a bit uncomfortable with this role (the interviewing part of it, anyway). I mean, there are so many things that could go wrong!!
Would I know the right questions to ask? Would I be met with blank stares? Would I be able to write fast enough to properly record what they said? Would I, heaven forbid, misquote or misrepresent what they said? That actually happened to me once in an unfortunate (read, I’ll never do it again) exit-poll interview, so I am super-sensitive to NOT doing that to someone else!
All valid concerns, but I am happy to report that I survived to tell about it . . . and, I actually came to enjoy it . . . and, I managed to write news stories that our local radio and newspapers found worthy to run.
And, I was reminded of a valuable lesson . . . it is a good thing to stretch yourself, to try new things, to learn how to do new things . . . even if you feel uncomfortable and even if you aren’t sure you are going to master it. For a “recovering perfectionist” like me, these are good things to know, and even more important to practice.
So, a big thanks to my client, Ozark Mountain Legacy, for giving the me opportunity to expand my professional horizons. I trust that this experience will remind me to embrace new things that come my way in the future . . . I’ll keep you posted!
Check out a few of my news stories about the Legacy Youth Institute (and also about EarthWise Recycling Center!) – I am honored to have played just a small role in both of these awesome community initiatives:
Legacy Youth Institute Kick Off
Legacy Youth Institute – Session #2
Legacy Youth Institute – Session #3
Legacy Youth Institute – Session #4
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