Student learns about journalism through job shadow

Student learns about journalism through job shadow

Thornhill

Megan Pao

Everybody has a dream. No matter where you are from or who you are, everyone has a dream that is unique to themselves. My name is Megan Pao, and my dream is to become a journalist.

I am currently a Grade 10 student attending St. Robert Catholic High School in Thornhill. It is mandatory for every student in Grade 10 to take a course called Careers and Civics.

Careers is a class that teaches students how to set goals, and how to make sure that you have good values.

Goals and values are very important, because they affect every aspect of our lives. Another part of my Career’s class is learning how to begin your career. Your goals, values and dreams affect the career you will eventually choose.     

As part of my class, I had received an assignment to shadow a person who is in a career that I may someday want to consider. I chose to job shadow somebody at the Richmond Hill Liberal newspaper.

When I arrived at the office on Wednesday, Oct. 15, I had been very nervous because I had never met anyone before. I very quickly lost all my fears, as everyone at the Liberal was very kind to me.

I typed up handwritten letters to the editor and got a close-up look on how journalists like editor Marney Beck and reporter Adam McLean do their jobs. I learned that reporters should always be very informed about the world around them, which is important in the busy world we live in today.

I also noticed that the pressure to meet deadlines was very stressful, especially as it was the day after the federal election.

I automatically knew that this was perfect, because I always work best under pressure, and I love to write.

I watched how pages were put together with headlines on top of the stories and how the copy fit around the advertisements.

This job shadow has been an amazing experience for me. Getting a close-up look on what it is like to be in a workplace is really fun.

It is a truly rewarding experience to all who will take the time to learn from it, especially writing a guest column for The Liberal.

Megan Pao is a Grade 10 student at St. Robert Catholic High School who lives in Thornhill.

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