I haven’t been on a plane since I went to Europe my junior year of high school, which was also the last time I traveled “solo” — except I wasn’t really “alone,” per se. Nevertheless, I was extremely anxious. But, as I watched the watercolor skies slowly turn to darkness, I had old-English poetry and the latest issue of Vogue. 

The trip was an adventure for self-discovery (while getting shin splints just from walking places — my luck). But particularly self-discovery as a journalist.

*By the way, this is the College Media Association 2017 Conference I’m talking about.*

Either way, I learned a lot from the conference. I have my trusty red Moleskin internship/journalism journal to prove it. I learned to manage a magazine, how to come up with features stories, going from journalist to novelist, investigative storytelling, social media tips, and more!

I might as well mention that there is a role I have reprised. When I was younger, I loved fashion, but I never quite figured out how exactly I was going to thrive in that field. But now that I’ve been exposed to great minds, I answered that little 16-year-old’s prayers. I decided I want if I want to be a well-rounded journalist, I have to dip my toes in everything, and that includes…

FASHION!!!

I can remember fourth grade and in newspaper club, the one thing I wanted to write about was fashion. Unfortunately, I can’t remember what I wrote, but I’m sure I wrote something about my favorite things back then: sequins, hair clips, and ballet flats. God only knows what I wrote about boys fashion. Let’s just say I’m sticking to writing about women’s fashion.

I wrote a poem about my mild hatred for the topic, saying I “sold my soul to the devil,” just like Andie in The Devil Wears Prada. So, who knows how long this fad will continue? Maybe I’m better off writing about features and political affairs. My goal is to work for the Washington Post or The New York Times. But it’s true when Hanna Marin from Pretty Little Liars said to Aria’s mom on the night of her remarriage to Aria’s dad, people take a break and go back to their first love. But I’m not talking about romance. Let’s put it this way: writing was my first love, fashion was the second.

I’ve been in a rut lately, both emotionally and in terms of my education. I’ve been missing my old school, lately. Don’t get me wrong, I love RWU, but I can’t help but think of the stuff that I could’ve done at my old school whether that be at the Institute of Politics or the women’s collective I was going to start. Yes, I wrote a poem about all that, too. No, I am not changing my major (again). After a talk with my mom, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m sticking with creative writing while getting as much journalistic experience as I can. Whatever happened to my broadcasting career? Okay, I stuttered a lot, but I still found it fun to be in front of a camera and babbling about whatever topic I had in mind.

My point? You can major in any English subject and still be a journalist! But it’s going to take a lot to build up my journalistic resume. I’m planning on getting an internship next summer, oh, and did I mention I’m now a Style Guru Community Member for College Fashionista? Funny how life works out. ☺

One of my friends said I need a life outside writing, and I can’t be on social media all the time (checking blog statistics, retouching my Instagram, and what-not). I’m thinking… broadcasting again? You won’t find out until next semester!