Job Stories - June

QTO - June arrives with the buzzing of cicadas and the vibrant red of flamboyant flowers covering familiar streets. For many, it's exam season, the season of farewells for schoolchildren. But for me and those who have chosen to dedicate their lives to journalism, June holds an even more special meaning. It's the month of journalists—those who quietly work with words, carrying within them the aspiration to tell every story of life with all sincerity and responsibility.

1. Every year on June 21st, memories of my early days in the profession return vividly to me. Back then, I was just a young woman fresh out of university, carrying with me youthful dreams and a love for journalism. I boldly took my application to meet the then Editor-in-Chief of Quang Binh Newspaper, Mr. Ta Dinh Nam, to ask for a chance to prove myself.

I still remember his kind smile when he reviewed my application. After a few minutes of conversation, he said, "I'll give you a trial period, but remember, journalism is very hard work. It's even harder for women..."

At that time, the agency didn't have any staffing quotas, and the chances of being officially hired were very slim. However, with his understanding and responsibility towards young graduates, he still created opportunities for us to try out, provided us with letters of introduction to work in the field, allowed us to write articles, and even paid for our work if it was published. Perhaps he understood that, after years of hard work in university, what young people needed most was not just a job, but the opportunity to live the profession they loved. It was that nod of approval that year that marked the beginning of my journalistic journey.

Television program production activities at Quang Tri Newspaper and Radio & Television Station - Photo: Nh.V

Quang Binh Newspaper was where our generation of young reporters was honed in an environment that was both strict and humane. Uncle Ta Dinh Nam was very serious about his work. Even small mistakes could hardly escape his notice. But behind that stern exterior was a compassionate and dedicated heart. He guided us on everything from how to write headlines, develop topics, approach subjects, to the conduct of a writer.

Sadly, our time working together was short. One day, he left us all behind to return to the eternal realm. But his advice about the profession, about journalistic ethics, and about responsibility for every word remains in the memories of his students like us. As the years passed, I came to understand that the greatest value a teacher leaves behind is not what they say, but how they live and inspire others.

Journalism has given me the opportunity to meet many respected people. Among them are veteran journalists like Mr. Nguyen Van Dinh and Mr. Phan Van Khuyen. When I entered the profession, they had long since retired, their hair grayed with age, yet they still diligently wrote articles, poems, and were deeply concerned about current events. Each time I met them, I received sincere encouragement, frank feedback, and profound professional lessons. Sometimes, they even gave us their newly written poetry collections or a package of cookies or candy, along with a gentle smile, containing the love and affection of those who came before for the younger generation.

You may also like

Opening up development opportunities based on effective economic models.QTO - By effectively exploiting existing potential and advantages, along with resources from national target programs, especially the national target program for sustainable poverty reduction, Ba Long commune is gradually forming many effective economic development models. From specialized crop cultivation areas to cooperatives investing in agricultural product processing, these models not only contribute to increasing people's income but also open up a sustainable development direction for the locality.

Promoting the movement of farmers excelling in production and business.QTO - Quang Tri province currently has over 52,000 outstanding farming households engaged in production and business at all levels. If properly trained, these individuals will not only be exemplary figures in enriching themselves, but will also become a core force, "grassroots instructors" leading the community to change mindsets, link value chains, and promote sustainable rural economic development.

Abandoned newborn boy discovered and promptly assisted in Tan My commune.QTO - At approximately 7:00 AM on June 25th, the Tan My Commune Police received a report from residents about the discovery of an abandoned newborn baby in the area of ​​Hoang Phuc Pagoda, located in Tan My Commune.

Now that they have passed away, their enthusiasm and passion for their profession will forever be a guiding light for journalists today.

2. Every time I think back to my early years in the profession, I remember the manual newspaper production process back then. After returning from fieldwork, I would sit for hours at my desk, writing articles on draft paper before carefully copying them onto A4 paper. If I misspelled even one word, I was ready to rewrite the entire page, just to make sure the editor had the best impression of the manuscript. When the manuscript was submitted, the heads and deputy heads of the specialized departments would meticulously correct it with red ink before sending it to the typing department. We often jokingly called the typists "superwomen," because they could read all kinds of handwriting, even the complicated red ink correction symbols of the editors.

Those memories are now a thing of the past. Modern technology has made the process of newspaper production much faster and more convenient. But whenever I recall those handwritten manuscripts, the red ink strokes, and the repeated copying, an indescribable emotion wells up inside me.

3. In recent years, journalism has faced many major changes. The merger of media organizations and the development of converged newsroom models have created multimedia media outlets. For someone like me, who grew up in print journalism, this is no small challenge.

I used to be nervous about getting used to radio and television broadcasting and completely new skills. There were times when someone with 24 years of journalistic experience like me felt like a first-year student, having to start learning from scratch. But it was during that period that I met new colleagues who were always ready to share and help. They wholeheartedly guided me through every camera angle, how to find mistakes in each frame…

Seeing my work broadcast on television and radio for the first time filled me with a very special joy. It was the feeling of reinventing myself, of learning and growing once again. It made me realize that, at any stage of life, journalists must constantly learn and adapt to change.

What I admire most throughout my career is the passion for the profession shown by my colleagues. I have witnessed many senior colleagues and young people braving the sun and rain, trekking through forests and crossing streams to capture the essence of life. Behind every news article and report lies immense effort, silent sacrifice, and a strong sense of responsibility to the profession. This positive energy has motivated me to gradually overcome my own limitations.

4. Looking back on my journey, I feel fortunate and grateful. Grateful to the teachers who inspired me, and to the colleagues who stood by me through challenging times. Grateful to the people and places that gave me stories to write my own journey. And most of all, I am grateful for the nod of approval from a passionate Editor-in-Chief years ago, who gave me my first opportunity to enter the field of journalism.

You may also like

4,800 chicks were distributed to households in Dan Hoa commune.QTO - On June 25th, the Project Management Board of the "Supporting agricultural livelihoods adapting to climate change to enhance the role of women in disadvantaged communes" project under the Department of Agriculture and Environment, in coordination with the Plan Quang Tri Office, organized the distribution of chicken breeds and the implementation of a hybrid chicken farming model for ethnic minority households in Dan Hoa commune.

The delegation from the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hanoi City paid tribute to the heroic martyrs and meritorious individuals in Quang Tri.QTO - In anticipation of the 79th anniversary of the Day of War Invalids and Martyrs (July 27, 1947 - July 27, 2026), on the morning of June 25, a delegation from the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hanoi City, led by Ms. Bui Huyen Mai, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, Member of the Standing Committee of the Hanoi City Party Committee, and Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hanoi City, visited Quang Tri province to offer incense and pay tribute to the heroic martyrs and meritorious individuals. Joining the delegation was Mr. Nguyen Chien Thang, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Quang Tri province.

The Provincial Military Party Committee issued a resolution guiding the implementation of military and national defense tasks and Party building.QTO - On the morning of June 25th, the Provincial Military Party Committee held a conference to issue a resolution on leading the implementation of military and national defense tasks and Party building for the last six months of 2026. Comrades Nguyen Van Phuong, Member of the Central Committee of the Party, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Secretary of the Provincial Military Party Committee, and Major General Ngo Nam Cuong, Deputy Commander of Military Region 4, presided over the conference. Also in attendance were comrades Le Hong Vinh, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; and Colonel Phan Thang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Commander of the Provincial Military Command.

In June, sudden showers soothe the sweltering heat of summer. Amidst the chirping of cicadas, I pick up my pen again, silently grateful to life for allowing me to be a soldier on the cultural and ideological front. That happiness is as sacred as the lyrics of the late composer Quách Mộng Lân's song "March of the Cultural Soldier," which says, "The cultural soldier, brings life to life with vibrant colors… The cultural soldier is a bridge of love, bringing people closer together, a life lived to love one another."

Nh.V

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/van-hoa/202606/chuyen-nghe-thang6-2cf46d7/