A month prior to the annual conference for the oldest state collegiate press association across the country, the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, Professor Robert Muilenburg approached me with the unexpected opportunity to attend and compete in contests to challenge my writing skills.
Obstacles arose due to my full-time student and full-time work schedules but were luckily accommodated so I could accompany the Foghorn News staff on a six-and-a-half-hour road trip to Denton.
This was my first year at TIPA, and I went in with the impression that my personality is introverted. Writing is a dedicated passion of mine, but after returning to Del Mar after a 10-year hiatus, my age and journalism experience made me feel insecure. By the end, I gained a new sense of confidence.
The three-day trip was filled with seminars, workshops, and competitions so the days were compact and fast-paced.
A workshop held by Joseph Hoyt, the Dallas Cowboys beat reporter at the Dallas Morning News, piqued my interest.
Sports journalism was a hidden interest of mine, but my lack of dedicated sports knowledge has made me overlook that as a possible avenue.
The workshop was called “10 Things I Learned as a Modern Journalist” and students engaged with undivided attention, asking questions and taking notes as Hoyt spoke.
The lecture was a speech that could be applied to anyone at any time in their life—no matter the career—and resonated perfectly with me.
As negative thoughts about my age started to overpower the in-moment experience, to my surprise Hoyt said “Sometimes others get there faster than others. It’s a toxic mentality to compare yourself to others.” Message received.
His final lesson of the seminar was “Never Take It for Granted.” “It” was the journalism career, but also faith. This was when the realization hit me—this is an experience to share.
If you are a writer, photographer, or not sure what you want to do, TIPA can give you the option to understand yourself.
The power of face-to-face communication is underplayed because of the advances of technology.
But it is important we surround ourselves with eye contact, handshakes, and conversations even if it’s awkward! Like Hoyt said, “Do it scared.”
