Yesterday, I was sent out on assignment with another reporter from the paper to find out what happened in a homicide that occured the night before. I felt like I was a police investigator as details were unknown and so we had to go to the crime scene, interview neighbours, friends, police, and visit the highschool where the victim attended.
It was a really sad story and I just didn’t feel right being amongst every major media station in Vancouver trying to get some “good quotes” and names to make for a complete story. As a reporter your job is to get the story, seek out what happened and get the facts, yet I felt as if I was prying into their lives and getting involved in something that was none of my business. I found that it was just too real for me. I imagine if you are in reporting for a significant amount of time, you have seen it all and such stories can become somewhat routine.
Actually, it is kind of an interesting thought about careers in general. If we do find ourself at a point in a career when things cease to have emotion, passion, and no longer challenge us, is this perhaps an indication that it is time to change what we are doing?
I am not sure, what do you think? Leave your comments.
-Sean
Yeah, I watched Capote the other night. Crime reporting is pretty hardcore stuff. I actually don’t understand why it’s reported so much… Well, I guess it sells newspapers, so that’s why. I’m pretty sure that crime reporting makes people scared so they do less things in their lives. It’d be nice to create a newspaper where you only report on events you consider important…but I guess that’s what blogs are.
Kyle
If we do find ourself at a point in a career when things cease to have emotion, passion, and no longer challenge us, is this perhaps an indication that it is time to change what we are doing?
What a great question Sean. I too have thought about that many times in numerous situations …
Some thoughts:
If you’re no longer passionate about or lack emotion towards what you’re doing, firstly, examine what caused/triggered this loss. Based on those facts, determine whether or not it’s worth your time to ‘re-ignite’ that passion/emotion (put effort into sparking that fire again).
If you realize that it’s not worth your time, then you’re not truly passionate about it, which means that you should move on.
If you’re no longer challenged by your job or career (but feel inclined to keep it for whatever reason(s) – i.e. family, income, reputation, etc.), find different ways to spice it up (i.e. take on a new project, ask your boss for more responsibilities, etc.).
Of course, this is just one person’s take on the whole “to change or not to change” question…it’s ultimately about finding that balance. That’s what life is all about. In the end, it’s never just about your career….
Great idea Kyle, it could be called “Good Times” and only report on positive things people are doing.
That’s really some great advice Sarah! Thanks for sharing it!
-Sean