I came to Sacramento as a fangirl of NPR who always dreamed of one day having the opportunity to learn from some of the incredible audio storytellers who have worked there.
When I received the email that I had secured a spot for the 2022 Next Gen Cap Radio project in Sacramento I cried because I felt as if life had come full circle.
I immediately had flashbacks of listening to NPR in the car with my Dad every time we went on a road trip longer than twenty minutes.
My Father, who passed away in 2021 had exposed me to journalism at a young age, long before I knew that I wanted to pursue journalism.
I packed my suitcase and thought about how the week might go, and I can now say that every thought I had was nothing close to what this experience has taught me
On Monday after hearing all that was to be done that day, I wondered what I got myself into? I was nervous, and experiencing imposter syndrome at certain times, but I looked to my right and there was my mentor Monica Ortiz Uribe, an NPR Latina journalist with curly hair just like me.
Monica, along with many others reminded all of us that yes this week would be challenging but that we would make it to Friday.
On Wednesday I wanted to cry as I made edit after edit, and by Thursday I was on the floor under a table, but something else had happened in those two days, my confidence grew, and I knew not only could I do it, but that I could do it well.
I made mistakes the whole time that turned into great learning opportunities, and I gained a large number of skills that I can’t even count. From story mapping to recording clear audio, and being able to read sound waves on adobe audition, all of these skills I will take back with me to Fresno State and beyond.
I am very thankful for this incredible week, and all of the different things I have learned have not only made me a better journalist but a better person all around. The people I have met through this experience have left a lasting impression, along with a big impact.
As I look forward to graduating next year, I know that this will be one of the best experiences of my education.
