There comes a point in our lives where we have to decide what exactly it is that we want to do in life. Whether it’s becoming a doctor or owning the next five-star restaurant, we each have to set out for our own path. For me, I began trying to figure out what it was that I wanted to do in middle school. I had all of these plans to go to a major university out of state and obtain my degree. I just knew that I would get my cosmetology license. My plan was to obtain a major in Business and attend a school like Aveda Beauty School.
I just knew that becoming a makeup artist and doing nails would be perfect for me. I had this idea mapped out about owning my own salon and becoming one of the best in the business. I spent numerous hours watching YouTube videos learning how to do different nail art and makeup techniques. When I wasn’t doing this I spent time in the mirror practicing different ways to better my skills. This was something I spent time preparing for. Being a cosmetologist was definitely in my path. Did that happen? No.
As I got older, I began to realize that going down that route was not the path for me. I searched for different things that I could have a mixture of what I loved incorporated into my career choice. Growing up I had a love for writing and being in front of the camera. Writing was something that seemed to come naturally for me. I could easily pick up a pen or pencil and quickly write something up. This is what I truly loved doing. Over time, I found myself wondering how I could put this to use in my future. That’s when I realized that I wanted to go into media.
This realization brought me to this idea of becoming the next female sports reporter. As crazy as it sounds, I just knew that it was something I could do. This is what I see myself doing for the rest of my life. I could wake up and enjoy going to work. Loving sports couldn’t get any better than actually being able to report on them. The countless hours I spent trying to prepare myself for this field were based on determination. I found myself reaching out to women in the business for help. Eventually I went to news stations shadowing female sportscasters just to see if this is what I wanted to do. From the small glimpse of their job, I realized just that much more that I wanted this.
The biggest influence on my decision was Rachel Baribeau. She taught me that being hungry is one of the greatest things you could be in this field. She pushed me to seek opportunities when they exist and make opportunities happen when none seem available. She also taught me that if it’s not something that you really want, then don’t take the space of someone who really does. Rachel’s push made me want to learn, grow, and become the best that I can be in this field because it won’t be handed to me.
For women, it’s a bit tougher to get into sports. You’re not only competing with men, but you’re competing with retired professional athletes; as well as those who have a background in playing sports. It’s one of those fields that you definitely have to make a name for yourself in. You also have to prove that you’re knowledgeable and well-rounded because you never know what you’re going to cover. You can’t forget the numerous hours you will dedicate to the job. These were just a few of the things that I continuously found myself asking questions about.
Going into my junior year of college, I still find ways to reach out to current anchors and personalities in both regular news and sportscasting. I ask the questions and find areas where I need improvement. You can never stop learning. College taught me how much more I’d love to go into media. While journalism can be time consuming, I don’t doubt doing it because I love it. No matter what path you choose you have to have the drive and love for it. Ask the questions, continue to grow, and never let the odds intimidate you.
