Why did I decide to become a journalist?
Anzhela Kaliyeva: The story of a failed doctor.
One day I took part in a conversation with my groupmates – why we chose the profession of a journalist? 80% of those present shared with others that they were going to be a doctor. The most common reason for changing the choice was “I was afraid I would not be able to work in the future/get a grant/study/it is hard and it takes long time”. My way to journalism was random.
Almost to the end of the 11th grade, I was planning to study in Saint-Petersburg, become the pharmacist. Whole year chemistry and biology were taught (also chose these subjects in UNT). Later I realized that I did not want to leave because I was not ready for independent life. I decided to stay in Astana. Three universities were in priorities: the Moscow State University, the Eurasian National University, the Medical University of Astana (but what is interesting, chemistry and biology had been passed for what?). The exams for Philology and Economics departments at MSU were first. When the documents were submitted, I was offered to choose economics too. MSU has its own system of distribution of grants – a certain number of people who scored the maximum number of points gets scholarship. For example, the faculty of Philology had 20 grants. Please, guess who was 21st on the list? I could stay at school for a fee and on Philology and on the Economics, but I had a ”good student” syndrome. Further there were creative exams in the ENU. In comparison with MSU, this was extremely easy. Both exams have been passed with the highest results.
When time for the scholarship competition came, there was a dilemma- either ENU or MUA. Because after passing the creative exams you have no right to apply somewhere else. Finally, the person who studied Math-Economics, passed chemistry and biology in UNT, studies journalism in the ENU. It is me!
Sometimes there are thoughts in my head that I had to be a financier. My soul requires numbers and calculations!
Farida Karsybekova: Right design.
I did not look for this profession, it found me. Even in the junior classes when I was asked who I would become when I grew up, I answered that I would become a journalist, but I could not answer why I decided so. Later in High School, I began to think about the future profession and tried on myself different positions from the stewardess to the marketer. I was not sure about anything at the end. Later I decided to ask advice from my grandmother. And this was the right decision. My grandmother worked as one of the first announcers at Akmola radio. She told me so many interesting stories about her work and I realized that I also want to connect my life with the media. This was a steep statement for my parents because I already agreed to go study for finance. But saying that they knew me better, they approved my choice. If you ask me today whether I regret my choice, then I will answer that not a drop. I feel most comfortable in this profession. Therefore, I want to advise my readers not to be afraid to make their own choice and listen to themselves and their interests. Live boldly and brightly in order not to regret the lost opportunity in the future.
Aruzhan Kuandyk: The biggest challenge.
In the small city there lived a very modest and shy girl. She was very bored, since this girl had no brothers and sisters for a long time. She was not particularly fond of going out with friends. A large mirror in her bedroom was her only entertainment besides toys and cartoons. The girl imagined herself as a reporter and “distributed” fresh news looking in the mirror. Only sitting at this mirror a little girl could feel more confident, do not be shy of her thoughts. From the age of 4 she was engaged in dancing, and could already perform on stage in front of a large audience. She did not feel fear on the stage or in front of the camera while performing any dance moves. However, she did not know how to make speeches or express her opinion in front of the audience, she was afraid of being in the spotlight. That girl was always amazed and surprised by people who in a few minutes could attract the attention of the public, make it think about something. It seemed to her that with only one word and a way of submitting an idea, someone can strongly influence the people around. The girl began to be interested in literature and the expression of her thoughts on paper at the Middle School. She really wanted to overcome her fear of the stage, the camera, the audience. That’s why she began to imagine herself as a future journalist. Despite the fact that she did not have the talent for writing poems, she also did not strive to become a good speaker. She took the final decision about her future profession after one disastrous event where she was the host. At some point the voice of the High School student began to tremble, her hands could not hold the microphone properly. Every word in the prepared scenario blurred in her eyes. It is impossible to describe how awkward and nervous she felt. Since then she set herself the goal of becoming better, overcoming all her fears. This to some extent was a challenge for herself. Because she needs to be not just capable, she has to be the best one to become a professional journalist.
It may seem selfish that first of all she thought about herself, about her cultivation. However, the more she went into the sphere that seemed unusual to her, the more she felt the responsibility and complexity of the chosen profession. This helped her to understand that she was not mistaken in choosing journalistic activity instead of teaching at the art school. Although who said that journalists can not hit the stage dancing?! Almost forgot to note – that girl was ME.
Kamila Chuzhenova: Being a journalist…
“Being a journalist means that you have to know everything” – that’s what everyone says, that’s what everyone not tires of repeating the rest, but this is a myth in fact. Being a journalist is not that difficult – and not boring at all, as it seems at first glance. The profession carries away – every time, with each new article, you are more and more immersed in the work, forgetting about time and fatigue.
I really like being a journalist, I like to be aware of world and local news. In journalism, we can write short notes, detailed reviews, large research articles and shoot reports from the scene – we use all possible resources. Journalism is unique. We are the caretakers of this world, we always follow the news and stay informed, and time never sleeps and does not wait. The world does not stand still and we are with it.
Here, on InfoTimes, our entire team makes the first steps in big journalism, hoping to leave Its Trace.
My path began atypical and not the way I wanted, but I still do not know where it will lead me – as always, time will tell.
The future is a dream that can become a reality.
Diana Temirova: Journey to journalism.
Someone calls journalism fourth power and it’s absolutely right expression. Journalism always around you, wherever you go, to school, university, shop mall, hospital. Information, news, TV shows is being an important part of our daily life. People always sharing information, news with each other, what is already journalism. Did you knew that all of us a bit journalists? What is going to be if you will share information and news not only with your family and friends, but with large audience, whole country? Sounds not that easy and it is true. Finding a way to exactly your profession is one of the hardest journey in entire life. For me journalism is not just a career, it is a life. I have never have been aside news and was interested in many different fields as art, sport, fashion, medicine, history, philosophy, photography. Whole my life I was searching for the thing which contains all my interests and will encourage me to raise as a person. Journalism gives you challenges as well as opportunitues. Therefore, journalism was one of the best option. Sometimes I have a doubt about my decision and asking myself “What If?”, but I am only at the beginning of my way and there is going to be so many interesting in futher.
Who knows, maybe in future I will wake up with realization of my importance as a journalist.
Journalism will kill you, but it will keep you alive while you’re at it,
— Horace Greeley.
EJ team
