1 SEASON OF TELEVISION.  1 CAREER I ADORE

I was hooked on The Newsroom when the first trailer was released. 

For the last seven years, I’ve worked in a newsroom that produces countless hours of live television every single day.  It’s an incredibly exciting place to work.  So you can imagine my excitement when The Newsroom came along.

A long time ago, I was in University studying to become an English teacher…  And I was miserable.  I spent two years working towards a career I don’t think I ever really wanted.

I remember a specific conversation with one of the smartest people I’ve ever met as I neared the end of my second year.  He was a coworker of mine back when I used to work for a Minister of Parliament.  He sat me down and asked me how things were going.  Whenever someone asks a question like that you never just blurt out:

“Things are horrible.  I don’t want to look back at my life in 40 years and wonder if I made a mistake!”

We talked about my chosen career path and he asked me another question:

“Do you want to be an English teacher?” 

It’s an innocent question that should be easy to answer.  But it wasn’t.  I’m definitely not the only one out there who has felt that way at some point.  Thankfully, that question was a turning point in my life.  Why shouldn’t I work towards a career I can be excited about? I spent the next few weeks researching programs and within a month, I made the decision to transfer to a different school.  I substituted English for Television.  Theoretical essays for practical experience.

That fall, I moved away from home for the first time in my life with one goal in mind:  I wanted to work for a sports network.

Two years later, I achieved that dream and I still can’t believe it.  If my friend were to ask me if I’m happy today my answer would be and emphatic YES.  I love my job.  I love the atmosphere.  I love the machine that is our studio and the thrill of breaking big news in the sports world.  I’m a part of a team.  It’s an environment that’s perfect for people who love to be creative.

Obviously, I don’t have any experience working in a straight news environment but the atmosphere is the same.  It’s all about who has the story first, who delivers the best content and who has the biggest impact on viewers.

The first season of The Newsroom wasn’t perfect but it’s one of my favorite single seasons of television ever.  Specifically because I identified with it on a level I’ve never experienced before.  There aren’t many shows that come along like that.  The characters in The Newsroom LOVE their job.  They love news and strive to be the best.

PASSION

I found it inspiring watching them scramble to put together the best broadcast possible.  The first season covered so many events that shaped the last decade.  It’s such an interesting concept to go behind the scenes and get a small glimpse of what went into the broadcasts we all watched on TV.  This is where The Newsroom was at it’s best.  The characters and love triangles were interesting but it was the hard news that had me looking forward to Sunday nights.

The first season ended a little over a month ago and it wrapped up everything in a fantastic way.  Why am I writing this so late?  Because the show stuck with me.  It’s the passion.  I’m drawn to it.  I’m very lucky to be able to smile on my way to work each day.  That’s the key.

“Find a job you love, never work a day in your life.”

40 years from now, I’ll smile knowing I wasn’t happy and decided to make a change.  I decided to find a career that was perfect for me.  I’ve had some breaks along the way but I shutter to think of what my life might be like as an English teacher.  I like to think I would have made the most of it but would I have been happy?  It was a risk to leave two years of University behind.  Things go wrong.  But I’m proof that sometimes, you have to take those risks in order to realize your dreams.

And so, I will always have a soft spot for The Newsroom.  Who knows what risks that show will take in the future.  Regardless, I’m looking forward to seeing the News Night 2.0 team break news stories again.  I’m looking forward to my next shift.

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