It has been an incredible privilege to participate in NPR’s Next Generation Radio for the past week. Applying for this program was one of those pipe dream applications. Receiving the news that I was accepted was simultaneously the most nerve-wracking and exciting experience.
I am currently finishing college, and this program has been the exact experience I needed to feel confident about heading out into the world with my degree. It can be hard to envision yourself doing anything but going to school, and this week has taught me that I’ll be just fine.
This program has made me so much more confident in my skills in audio and in journalism. I have become so much more confident in my ability to see a project through to completion. This project turned out exactly how I envisioned it in my head, which is not something that often happens. I am so proud of how this piece turned out, and I am so thankful for all of the people who mentored me to get here.
The most important thing that I have taken away from this week is that I should be more confident in my abilities. I often sell myself short, and still feel inexperienced within this realm of journalism. But seeing this final piece come together, I have learned that you can do anything you’re committed to, especially with the support that I’ve had this week.
Thank you for allowing me to participate in Next Generation Radio. The skills, relationships, and experiences I have had this week have changed how I think about my future career path, and will carry me through into this new era of life I am entering. Once again, thank you to everyone who has helped me work on this project this week, there aren’t enough words to describe how much I appreciate it.