From small town to big city, and back again

Local newspapers sometimes receive a bit of a stigma that turns off potential interns who want to make a "big break" at a national paper such as The Boston Globe.

I can't deny that it would be a dream come true to work for a newspaper such as that, but I knew I needed to get started somewhere, and the Times News couldn't have been more perfect.

Going into my first year at BU I was majoring in film and television through the College of Communication, which is renowned for their programs and internship opportunities and connections after graduation. I knew that even if I had changed my major, I would have a great support system around me.

I knew that somehow in my career, I wanted to write.

During my time at Northwestern Lehigh High School I took a broadcasting class. After that, I signed up for Tiger TV, is the high school's morning news program. During my time in that class Ifell in love with the idea of working in film or television, leading me to mymajor at BU.

However, after settling into BU, trying out one of the campus TV shows, hanging around many of my "filmy" friends, and even starting a beginner Film & Television class, I just did not think that this major was where I belonged.

I took the beginning writing class required of all other COM majorsand I couldn't have made a better decision.

That class was taught by Juliet Pennington, a contributing writer for both The Boston Globe and People Magazine. After hearing her reporting stories and journey through her journalism careerI knew then that I wanted to major in journalism.

As the school year was winding down,I figured it would be best to actually delve into the world of journalism.

Almost as soon as I began as an intern at the Times News,I was covering events such as the SHINE camp, writing up business briefs and press releases, doing phone interviews for things such as the Carbon County Fair tab and the West End Fair tab, and so much more.

I was a bit taken aback at first,as I had never really interviewed people or written articles for an actual newspaper.

I can honestly say this internship couldn't have been any better for throwing me into the world of journalism.

I have no idea why anyone would not want to start off interning at a local newspaper.

Who else is going to be able to let you write articles that are published online, and in print, get experience interviewing all kinds of people, covering all kinds of events, and after much trial and error, figuring out the proper way to write things and the best tips for interviews?

Coming out of this internship, I probably am way ahead in terms of experience than more than half of my fellow journalism majors.Local newspapers bring communities together, which is something we all need in today's day and age where technology has slowly taken over, and left us looking at our phones most of our days.

We forget to ask our newly granted Eagle Scout neighbor about his project, or wish that couple a happy 50th wedding anniversary.Local newspapers could not be more important, something I have definitely learned during my time at the Times News.

Thanks to my experience at the Times News, the skills I've learned from the reporters that sit around me, the opportunities that editor Marta Gouger has given me, and the knowledge of wealth and experience I can add to my previously slim resume, I may now have the chance, or begin the journey, to work for a "fancy" newspaper such as The Boston Globe, or even be able to combine my love of TV with writing and news to work for a news outlet such as CNN.

That journey might take a while, but I certainly have an incredible start, and I owe all of the thanks and gratitude to the Times News for giving me this opportunity.

If I ever make it to the "big leagues" and when I do go back to the city, I'll never forget my roots: my small little farm town, and the experience that jump-started my journalism career.