I was sitting around a table with my family having dinner in Izmir, Turkey when I got the email that I had made it into NPR’s NextGenRadio program with CapRadio. Halfway across the world, I knew I had to make it back to pursue this incredible opportunity and follow my passion for storytelling. I booked three separate flights, across three continents and five total cities, and then, after driving for two hours, I finally made it to Sacramento, ready to embrace the journey that would come.
At the start of this week, imposter syndrome immediately crept in, as I knew it would. Writing has always been my first love, but the intimacy and creativity that audio allows captivated me from the moment I started listening to NPR in college. I haven’t stopped since then.
This week has been challenging but thrilling. I love the collaborative energy that filled the room every day, checking in with each team and seeking their expertise. Although every day was packed, I felt energized when I left the working room.
I learned so much from my mentor about how best to record and collect sound during my interview, and how to interact with my interviewee to enable them to best express their story. While I felt challenged to balance different multimedia components of my story all together, I now know I can do it all. And I have the NextGenradio team to thank for that.
I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such an incredible talented team who have been so supportive throughout this week, sharing their knowledge and supporting me to build my radio journalism skills in this wild ride of a week.
