SUMMARY
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MANILA, Philippines – For almost 4 years, I’ve been quite baffled about what I really want to do in life. Am I on the right track? Can I really enter the world of journalism?
I always asked myself these. I never had a concrete answer; I was not sure.
But last summer I rediscovered my first love.
I came home from Japan in February. I had just finished my one-year program as an exchange student. Upon arriving home, I was greeted by my internship requirements in my own university.
I panicked a bit because I still had no idea where I would do my internship. I was confused.
I asked my friends about their internships in various media organizations and a lot of them were sharing their bad experiences. “It was hard, it was boring, we had nothing to do, too strict, I didn’t learn.”
This only made me more anxious.
In March, I read that Rappler was looking for interns. I submitted the requirements and hoped that I would get accepted. A month later, I received an e-mail about the internship orientation.
I jumped. I literally did. I was thrilled.
The first question that popped into my mind was, “Can I do this?” The second one was, “How do I get to Julia Vargas, Ortigas?”
The first question was answered upon the start of my internship and the second was answered through Google Maps.
I started my internship at Rappler in April. I didn’t know that this summer would be different from all my past summers. It was extra special.
Beyond comfort zones
We interns were asked what kind of articles we would like to write; I said I’d like to write about social issues, hence I picked Move.PH. Some said they would like to write or shoot stories about sports, business, economics, politics, life and style and so on.
Rappler welcomed us into their team and we were allowed to share stories that mattered to us, hoping that they would also matter to others. At the same time, they encouraged us to learn and write for areas we hadn’t tried before. I learned to step out of my comfort zone in writing, I learned to have more confidence in what I do. And yes, we all learned just how powerful social media can be.
Rappler has also taught me the value of developing good research skills. Good writing can take you far, but good research will be your backbone. I enjoyed the process of learning more and more about journalism – it led me to discovering more about the different issues surrounding my own community, country, and the world.
And upon reading my first published article, my first byline, I was elated. Seeing the finished product was only half of the joy, knowing and undergoing the process behind every article gave me even more joy.
Mood Meter: Inspired
Rappler, thank you for helping me rediscover my first love.
This internship experience has revived my passion for writing, sharing stories, and learning more about everything around me. It revived that curious kid inside me, the one who asked questions frequently, the avid reader, the aspiring writer. There was a point in my college life that I had lost all of these, but they came back to life.
I have learned so much from the people behind Rappler, my editors and mentors, my co-interns, and the people I met during fieldwork. Thanks to those who inspired me. Thank you for such a fun and fulfilling summer. And thank you for trusting us, interns, with real tasks and responsibilities.
The future will always be uncertain, but this summer, I think I already found some certainty in the kind of path I would like to take.
Our internship is over, but I would like to continue what you have taught me.
P.S. I’ll miss our view from our office on the 25th floor. – Rappler.com
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