One thing I regret about my time in high school is not joining the school paper. I had always been told by my English teachers that I had a talent for writing and that I should join the newspaper, but once again the shyness factor got in the way.

So I made it my goal when I came to college to learn more about the college’s paper and join if I got the chance. In fact, I had mentioned it to my friends enough times for them to get annoyed. I’m sure there came a point when they wanted me to shut up about my curiosity about the paper, but they were probably too polite to tell me so.

Last week, I read this blog post on this very blog, and everything changed. My excitement was monumental- this was the opportunity I had been searching for.

Over the weekend I had several email conversations with a few of the editors at the paper, and by Sunday it was concluded that I would write for the Literature and Entertainment sections. I already had my first assignment (a book review for the classic Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier) and I was elated.

But what caught me off guard was Monday, when I got a phone call from the executive editor while I was on my way to the weekly meeting for the newspaper.

She wanted me to cover an event that was happening at free hour (which was just fifteen minutes away). It was a discussion panel taking place in the Flex space of The Summit and would consist of students asking the administration questions about the tornado that occurred two weeks ago. I was to take notes as well as interview some of the students attending, including students from the Student Association who put the event together.

It was raining, my hair was a mess, and I stood outside of Student Union contemplating if I should go through with it. This was a big deal for me. Not only was I completely inexperienced with covering any type of news story, but I thought I was part of Literature and Entertainment. Why was I being asked to go cover an event on campus?

Regardless, it didn’t sound all too hard, and I loved the spontaneity of the phone call. It felt awesome and slightly adventurous to get a random phone call that completely changed the course of my day!

So I agreed to do it and agreed to get the article written and sent the very next day.

As a student that isn’t dorming, I expected to have a hard time looking for the “flex”. I wasn’t even sure what it was. So I entered the Summit and asked the receptionist, and she pointed to where I was supposed to go. Once there, I noticed how nobody was in there. There was a long table set inside, and in front of it were about four rows of chairs, all empty.

I hoped people would show up soon, but in the mean time I waited outside with my notebook and pen.

That was where I met a nice girl named Marium, and we chatted a little about the event. I decided to make her my first victim, readying my pen and asking her about her experience with the tornado. She had been on campus when it occurred, so I ended up getting great quotes from her.

Once the event was close to getting started, I had been approached by several people who asked me if I was from The Knight News. I proudly said that I was, also realizing that it must have been pretty obvious. After all, I was the only girl with a notebook and pen held ready in my hands.

The event in itself was interesting. My pen never stopped moving and I saw how enthusiastic QC students are about helping out the community in times of disaster.

When it was over, I spoke to Jacob Levine and Gabriella Berrezueta, two members of the Student Association who put the event together. I also spoke to Charlie Wohlberg, founder of the EMS Club at QC. I took notes and quotes vigorously, desperately not wanting to screw this job up.

A part of me felt like I was an obvious newbie, completely unprofessional. I mean, it was my first job, one that came out of nowhere.

However, by the time I left I felt really, really good.

I felt like I was finally doing what I had wanted to do since starting college- I tried something new and didn’t let my shyness get in the way. I also felt proud of myself for not getting too freaked out about the random phone call.

It was all I could ask for and more.