One week prior to moving down to Orange County my freshman year, I called the UC Irvine Humanities department because I couldn’t find the journalism classes I wanted to register for. That was when I realized the strange predicament I was in. UC Irvine did not offer journalism classes, and thus my dream of becoming a news anchor woman may never become a reality.
For the next four years, I held on to my dream as I studied Political Science hoping that one day I would still become a political correspondent. I wrote articles for the paper and various newsletters. I was asked to host and emcee several events. At one point or another, I prayed that those little experiences would still pave way to me becoming a broadcaster.
By junior year, however, mass communication became just a dream. Too distant to ever become anything worth announcing, I focused on other things. I chose out of law school and pursued a career in public relations instead. In the midst of it all, I still craved the spotlight. I attended live tapings whenever I could. I volunteered at major media events in the area. I continued to take journalism classes elsewhere.
For the past month, I worked hard to convince potential employers to hire me as the Public Relations Specialist. I know what I’m doing, my portfolio is impressive, but when asked where I see myself in 5-10 years, I can honestly say I do not envision myself behind a desk drafting up press releases for some other people. I cannot imagine myself contacting the media publicizing another up-and-coming star. I want to be the media. I want to be the star.
I have lived a life pursuing to be someone else. I pursued law because my family think I am intelligent and will do well in the legal field. Then public relations was something I was becoming good at and some talents could be honed and utilized. But my childhood dream was to become the host of a national morning talk show. It has always been. I know the competition is keen. More is needed than just proper speech. One must be attractive, sociable, versatile, and very persistent. I will give myself two years.
