Career Day

Last Friday I had the awesome opportunity to speak to 8th grade students at Buford Middle School. I got there at 7:45am as my email instructed, and I was ready with a power point presentation and a camera in hand to share with kids what I do at WDUN. As I prepared for the presentation I realized how much I love my job. I get to be a field reporter, a traffic anchor on the radio, and also I make mini-movies for Access On The Go. And yeah, there is the new "App Girl" thing. By the way, do you have the Access WDUN APP?<br /> <br /> I digress. The one problem with 8th grade students (particularly the boys) is that their focus is on the money. How much money can I earn working in radio? Do you make a lot of money? It was something I had prepared for. I did a salary wizard for local entry level reporters in the metro area. I responded that you don't start out making very much money and the top salary in class B radio news isn't a 6-figure income, but that I honestly couldn't imagine what it would be like to go to work as an accountant everyday. I would not enjoy that at all.<br /> <br /> I brought my digital recorder and let a few students try reporting traffic. I also stressed to them the importance of reading and writing. Que the crickets. Twelve and 13-year-olds don't want to hear that you have to read and study punctuation. So I moved on to videos. I showed them some of the AccessNorthGa.com videos I produce, which they thought were pretty cool.<br /> <br /> Being back in my home town in a school building, I couldn't help but become nostalgic. I walked down halls as a middle school student not knowing what the heck I wanted to do when I grew up. I even changed my major 3 times between sophomore and junior year of college. I always tell people that I am really bad at listening for God's voice. I need him to throw a brick at me. However, by participating in career day I realized it was God who lead me to this field and blessed me with the talents I have to do this job.<br /> <br /> It wasn't like I was born with this passion to interview and write news stories, but I was born with a love of people and curiosity. God's will for my career unfolded as I grew up It wasn't like a shocking revelation, it just clicked one day.<br /> <br /> After the career day ended I was able to say bye to my Mom who works in the library at Buford Middle. We said our good byes and I went on to my day at the station. I received the following message from her after I got to my desk in the traffic center.<br /> <br /> <I>Katie,<br /> <br /> I do not say it enough but I am so very, very proud of you! You have exceeded any expectation I had for your life. I know you do not see how unique you are because you do not know any other way but to be yourself. I know it was nerve wracking for you, but my dear, you did go home again and were successful. The very teachers who taught you now admire the young lady you have become. Again, thanks for allowing me to be a small part of your life today. Mom</i><br /> <br /> What else can I say but "my cup runneth over"? Even at 26, I'm so glad to make her proud of me.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2011/10/242873