When I read back my pitch for the project, I almost can’t believe I wrote it. My self-doubt was written all over it! Despite it all, I had entered the lion’s den of professional radio reporters.
I can confidently say that I’ve learned so much from the detail-oriented team I worked with throughout the week. I’ll admit that I was more than a little intimidated to work with the NextGen team, but during the process I had a bit of a revelation: they’re all human! It made me realize that my goal to work in radio and produce professional content is actually in my wheelhouse. I think we all get too wrapped up in the “what-ifs” instead of actually just doing it. It’s easy to convince yourself that you aren’t good enough to do something, but it takes fighting your conscience to attempt anyway.
During the project, our managing editor, Amy Tardif, told me, “The imposter syndrome never, ever goes away.” Late into my career, I will continue to struggle with that sense of belonging. This project told me I’m bigger than that feeling; I have to be in order to report well and do my subject justice. That’s the biggest lesson I’m left with. I won’t achieve perfection in everything and that’s okay! It’s the meat-and-potatoes of your story that matters in the end.
I’m proud of the work I achieved in the NPR NextGenRadio Florida Newsroom Project, and no one can take that away from me.