As a child, I could never understand what grown-ups found so captivating about the news. I much preferred cartoons and TV shows with more action, drama, and vivid colors – the world of economics, global disputes, and angry politicians felt so far away to me back then. Suffice it to say, I would often find myself drifting off to sleep on the couch when my father watched the news.
It was not until my early teenage years that I truly began to understand how much the distant issues shaped my life. Economics and global issues had been influencing every small detail in my life, down to the rise and fall in the price of my favorite snack. However, understanding the news didn’t come easily. The language was dense, full of jargon that often sent me down a rabbit hole of Google searches. Instead of clarity, I often found confusion. Yet, buried in that complexity, I sensed that something important was waiting to be understood.
Even whilst struggling to grasp the news, I have come to understand that we live in an age where information is survival, and I would be lost in the world without it. Journalism, I have come to realize, is like drawing signs in an ever-changing maze, helping not just myself but also others to find clarity and direction. Signs that are simple and readable yet carry weight and meaning.
As such, I aspire to become a reporter who does not just report. I want to draw signs in the maze – to guide, not just to inform. Journalism, to me, is more than just delivering facts. It is about making sense of the world and helping others do the same.
In the future, I hope to explore stories that take on topics which may seem complex or irrelevant at first glance, but that, upon closer inspection, have the power to shift how people see the world. I want to write pieces that challenge assumptions, spark curiosity, and invite readers to look deeper into the systems that shape their lives. Whether it is demystifying an innovation in technology, tracing the social impact of a scientific discovery, or uncovering the human side of a global issue, I want to make those stories feel real and helpful. Journalism, for me, is not just about keeping up with the times – it is about helping people make sense of them. If I can draw even one signpost in the maze that helps someone feel less lost – especially in a world of accelerating change – then I will know I have done something worthwhile.
