Journalism
To me, words are amazing. They can inspire individuals, incite emotions, spark thought, teach lessons and create worlds. Words can be harsh and slashing, just as they can be vibrant and uplifting. They can become a window into the souls of others, just as they can become the representations for an entire company or nation. The use of words is an art, one to be respected and revered.
The effective use of words is among the most valuable abilities a human can learn. It is through our words which we convey our own thoughts and feelings; it is for this reason that we must use them correctly. Without the right words: thoughts can become confusing, persuasion can fail, unwarranted anger can arise and frustration can ensue.
The journalist is but one creature who uses words to compose their works of art. With their words, they take into account things like pace, flow, structural organization, intelligence, beauty as well as factual accuracy, grammar, logic and consistency. Journalism is the combination of science and art, and for this reason--of many--I became a journalist.
Journalism forces a person to learn to communicate effectively with other people, whether it’s a cold call interview or a printed news story. It is the job of the journalist to ask about, acquire, understand, organize and transmit information. They push people to learn.
If there’s one constant in human life, it’s that knowledge is powerful. Through every age of human existence it has been knowledge that truly ruled, whether it was the workings of the earth, stratagems of war, economic motivators or philosophies on life. It is the journalist who is constantly pushing for people to learn, because words, generate thought and build intelligence.
While studying to earn my bachelor of science degree in news-editorial journalism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, I wrote and edited for a number of publications which have helped me to hone my skills of verbal and written communication. Mygamer.com was the place I first cut my teeth on writing for real publications. I started as a lowly Review Writer/Database Miner and moved my way up to Managing Editor, where the goal of the job was more management then reporting and writing.
At The Daily Illini, the University of Illinois’ independent student newspaper, I learned the ways of print publication, a wholistically different experience then that of an online publication. Here I learned the process of producing a newspaper from the bottom to the top ranks, and it is this paper I owe a great deal of credit to for allowing me to see a new side of publication, a of world paper, ink and large, hierarchically-set staffs.
Please select from the publication links below to see selected pieces of my work from each organization.
The Art of Words
Peruse my journalistic ability at will, by selecting one of the publications below.