My Journey of DISCOVERY

Profiler

As I was approaching the final months of my two-year journalism program at Grant MacEwan College, I began lookinfor an internship position, something that would fit me and the education I wanted to continue.

When I found the posting for Edmontonians Sizzling Twenty under 30 internship, I knew, immediately, that it was the one for me. Freelance writing appeals to me, especially the freedom of working my own hours. I applied, all the while crossing my fingers and asking everyone I knew to do the same, hoping that I would be given the chance to show, in this capacity, my capabilities.

I received a call from Editor Barb Deters one day in April, just minutes before one of my classes began. I grinned from ear to ear when she told me she wanted me for the job.

When I received the nomination forms for the Sizzlers and read over the information about each person, I was impressed. Every one of these young people was so accomplished and had already done many positive things in their lives.

As I approached my first interview, I forgot nearly all of the things that I had been taught in school about interviewing. Instead, I felt it was best to just chat. So that’s what I did.

What is amazing about these Sizzlers is not just the things they have done, but the enthusiasm and innovation with which each has done it. It is apparent that they love what they do, and have passion for their careers.

And that is why I enjoyed this assignment so much. We met in coffee shops… in their work places… in homes. They let me into an intimate part of their lives when we visited and I was able to discover who they are and why they love what they do.

That’s the reason I wanted to study journalism in the first place. I feel like it’s never been just the story for me, but the people within the story—who they are and why they are the story.

Thank you to Edmontonians, to Barb Deters and to all the Sizzlers, for making my internship such an incredible experience.

- Written by Lauren Henrie, Edmontonians Sept 2009