I walked into The Prospector office a year ago knowing nothing about journalism. I wasn’t even sure if journalism was what I wanted to do with my future. I jumped straight into the unknown.

I was full of anxiety and doubt, wondering if I would even be able to handle this job. The one thing I knew was that I loved writing. Since I was a kid, the rush of finishing a story, an essay or even filling up a diary was one of the best feelings in the world.

Even after being a staff reporter for the past two semesters and now moving up to an editor position, I get flashbacks to the same feelings I felt when I first started, only this time it feels like it is a different person experiencing them.

I became confident in my capabilities. I faced new challenges and I learned something new from each one. While that anxiety creeps up, my work at The Prospector taught me I can do more than I could have ever imagined.

Most importantly, it showed me my passion lied in journalism. Even when I struggle to finish a story or I get overwhelmed, at the end of the day I can look back and say I completely love what I do, and I am looking forward to doing it for the rest of my life.

With my new position as the audience and engagement editor, I am excited to face new challenges and learn new lessons. Everything I have done could not have been possible without my family, friends, mentors, and staff at The Prospector and for that I thank them endlessly.

For the future me: keep going one story at a time, one day at a time.

Ximena Cordero is the audience and engagement editor and may be reached at [email protected]