The Obama experience, and the journalistic calling
Daniel Schott
Issue date: 11/11/09 Section: News
It's a calling. That's what a lot of journalist answer when asked why they became a journalist. It's not for the money,or the fame, but because it's a calling. It's definitely not a glamorous job, with long nights, bad food and a high stress level but every so often, when a journalist feels that they've lost the passion, an opportunity comes along that re-ignites their passion and reminds them why being a journalist was a calling in the first place.
The opportunity to cover the President of the United States is one of those opportunities. As student journalists, we pretty much have the opportunity to cover, not very glamorous, but occasionally interesting topics. Covering the president is something that just never crosses your mind. Sure, there are the campaign months, but after they're elected, why would you stand a chance against the national or even state or local press in covering the president?
When the topic is education- well, maybe you'll stand a better chance because that's what you're doing in college, getting an education. Yet when the White House calls your office phone and double checks when you requested press credentials your heart stops for a moment and you wonder if you're dreaming.
The White House calls you back to confirm that you are on the press list and that you'll be receiving an e-mail with all of the press details for the president's visit. You can't have the same dream twice.
It's happening: you're covering the president and all of a sudden that passion is rekindled. You're reminded that working for BBC, The New York Times or the AP was the goal along with getting shot at as you did war correspondences. Going to the White House and interviewing the president while wearing sneakers, just to spite your 11-grade econ teacher. To cover the United Nations and to travel the world. Wait, I was political?
Somewhere in the years of seemingly failure and the quick approach of a birthday past 25, the reason for my calling was lost. Until now. Covering Obama was my ah-ha moment, when I remembered why I was drawn to become a journalist in the first place. Even though I know my chances are next to none of getting any of my dream jobs my passion is rekindled and I am drawn back to my calling.
The opportunity to cover the President of the United States is one of those opportunities. As student journalists, we pretty much have the opportunity to cover, not very glamorous, but occasionally interesting topics. Covering the president is something that just never crosses your mind. Sure, there are the campaign months, but after they're elected, why would you stand a chance against the national or even state or local press in covering the president?
When the topic is education- well, maybe you'll stand a better chance because that's what you're doing in college, getting an education. Yet when the White House calls your office phone and double checks when you requested press credentials your heart stops for a moment and you wonder if you're dreaming.
The White House calls you back to confirm that you are on the press list and that you'll be receiving an e-mail with all of the press details for the president's visit. You can't have the same dream twice.
It's happening: you're covering the president and all of a sudden that passion is rekindled. You're reminded that working for BBC, The New York Times or the AP was the goal along with getting shot at as you did war correspondences. Going to the White House and interviewing the president while wearing sneakers, just to spite your 11-grade econ teacher. To cover the United Nations and to travel the world. Wait, I was political?
Somewhere in the years of seemingly failure and the quick approach of a birthday past 25, the reason for my calling was lost. Until now. Covering Obama was my ah-ha moment, when I remembered why I was drawn to become a journalist in the first place. Even though I know my chances are next to none of getting any of my dream jobs my passion is rekindled and I am drawn back to my calling.
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