From Passion to Profession: How Journalism Became My Calling
Discover my journey on how journalism became a passion turned profession. Follow along as I share my story and insights in the world of journalism.
Are you tired of feeling unfulfilled in your career? Discovering and pursuing your passion could be the key to finding true fulfilment. Imagine waking up every day excited to do what you love. Take my personal story, for example. I stumbled upon my passion for journalism and decided to turn it into a career. Not only did it lead me on my way to pursuing a fulfilling career, but it also allowed me to make a difference in the world through storytelling. So, if you're ready to embark on a journey towards a fulfilling career, let's explore how to turn your passion into a career path.
Discovering the Passion for Journalism
As a child, I was often home alone and, thus, had ample time to explore every inch of our family home. I would spend hours flipping through magazines, newspapers, or any publication I could find. At first, I was drawn to it by the colourful graphics and images I would see in it. Over time, I learned to read, and it made more sense. I was captivated by the storytelling, and my young mind would often imagine how these events played out in reality.
Then, I came across the radio. It was different, I could hear the voices but not see the people. Listening to the radio became my favourite sport, so much that it replaced my childhood best friend, Hyellamada - the boy who lived next door. Nothing gave me much more joy than dancing and lipsyncing along to Celine Dion, Miriam Makeba, Angelique Kidjo, and other popular artistes during programme breaks in the early 2000s. It was a bliss for me - a haven of sorts. Even though I struggled with understanding the programmes because of their thick British and American accents, I still listened anyway - sometimes, even mimicking them.
As I grew older, I was allowed to watch television. My parents believed in protecting my innocence so much that I was restricted from a lot of things. I remember the first time I saw the news - I was in shock. “How did they get in the box?”, I would ask my mother because she had a friend from Church, auntie Dorothy who was a news broadcaster. It didn’t take long before “the box” replaced the radio, newspapers and magazines. I would often fantasize on being a presenter, interviewing guests and attending news-worthy events for broadcast. I would stop before glass windows and mirrors, holding interview with imaginary guests or reciting a programme's opening line with my own version of the British accent.
However, I grew up. I was often laughed at and told to be realistic. A career in the arts was not an option, not unless you planned on being a laughing stock, a failure, while your mates built houses and drove around in flashy cars. They would be given seats of honour in public and you, would be seated among the masses - those who failed to live up to their potentials. I did not want that, so I choose to be a medical doctor.
Nurturing the Passion
Having made the decision to switch career paths in 2019, I decided to look for media schools around me because I did not want to go through the traditional pathway of college as I had felt I needed to make up for lost time. I did find a few but they were too costly. Eventually, I applied to Royal Arts Academy, Lagos, where I earned a diploma in Film and Television Production.
Upon graduating in 2022, I enrolled in the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) where I am presently pursuing my undergraduate degree in Mass Communications, with a major in journalism and a minor in cinema. To further enhance my learning, I signed up for online courses in journalism, creative writing and many others - anything to help me gain the necessary skills to thrive in the industry.
It didn't take me long before I took a volunteering role with an NGO as a media intern. I would attend events, take photos, record videos and report back to a supervisor. It felt good to be out in the field, practising what I had learned in class alongside industry professionals I would meet at these events. My knowledge in film and television production came in handy.
To further solidify my stand, I took to social media to follow relevant professionals in the industry. I signed up for journalism newsletters to stay abreast of industry trends and advancements. I recalibrated my life to reflect my desires of being a journalist so much that I curated my life around it. Thankfully, having these resources online really helped me in this process.
Transitioning into a Career
I have always had a passion for storytelling over the mixing of explosive chemicals in a laboratory. It was quite thrilling to see chemical reaction and dissect animals but I found great pleasure in storytelling whether it be on print, broadcast or the Internet. Choosing journalism as a career was not an easy choice despite it being the right choice for me.
As of now, I look forward to the day when I would be able to fully practise as a journalist. To report events live on site, to interview people about trending subjects, to travel to new places and see life from a different perspective, and more importantly, to be able to effect change in my society by telling impactful stories.
I have been quite fortunate to connect with professionals within the the industry. Most of this was possible because of social media, especially LinkedIn. Reaching out to people and introducing myself proved beneficial that I even got my first collaborative role as a contributing journalist with a foreign media.
Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Success
I had always been shy and reserved and pursuing a career in journalism definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone. Having to attend events, walking through the crowd taking photos and making videos, speaking to people was a huge deal for me. I would always feel anxious about it, but in time, I understood that confidence came from repetition. I still get anxious but not at the same levels as before.
Consequently, being in Yola, Adamawa state, Nigeria, did not leave me with a lot of choices. There are little to no opportunities here unlike in the big cities like Lagos, Abuja and the others. I had to actively scout for professional development opportunities online to gain relevant experience in the art and craft of journalism. I had to take extra courses, watch videos on YouTube and secretly hope for an opportunity to put such knowledge into practice. Fortunately for me, I was able to find such.
One thing I have come to learn is patience, not just with others but myself as well - to take my time and not rush things along. I have always had perfectionist tendencies that kept me overwhelmed and unable to either start or finish tasks. I had to rediscover myself and push my limits. I had to get comfortable with being uncomfortable and this, has helped me on my journey into journalism.
Indeed, whatever we want, is on the other side of fear. We just have to want it enough to ignore the threats and chase after it. If you are facing similar situations, take deep breath. You do not have to have it all figured out; just take one step at a time and the path will begin to unfold.
Conclusion
Discovering my passion and transforming it into a profession has been an exhilarating journey. From the moment I stumbled upon journalism, I knew I had found my calling. The thrill of uncovering stories, the power of words, and the ability to make a difference through storytelling captivated me. It was a no-brainer that I had to pursue it as a career.
Following one's passion when making career choices is crucial. It not only brings immense satisfaction but also fuels the drive to excel. When you are truly passionate about what you do, work becomes a source of joy rather than a mere obligation. It pushes you to go the extra mile, overcome obstacles, and continuously grow in your chosen field. So, don't settle for anything less than what ignites your soul.