Journalism and life stories…

First time and unforgettable emotions…

It feels like just yesterday that I started working in journalism, but it's already been five years. That's not a very long time, but it has given me many unforgettable experiences, filled with a full range of emotions. Today, whenever I recall those early days in journalism, I feel even more love for the profession I chose.

After graduating from university with a major in print journalism at the Academy of Journalism and Communication, I was hired by Tuyen Quang Newspaper, where I was able to pursue my passion and dedicate the most vibrant years of my youth to the profession.

Reporter Ly Thu is working at the 679th Coastal Missile Brigade ( Hai Phong ).

I was assigned to the Reporters' Department. On my first day of work, I couldn't help but feel nervous and anxious. However, my initial nervousness and anxiety quickly dissipated, replaced by enthusiasm for the profession.

In the early days of my job, I was assigned to spend two weeks reading newspapers to grasp local current events and understand the "style" of the newspapers in order to approach the work. I was fortunate to have colleagues—my mentors—guide and train me from my very first articles. Above all, they instilled in me a passion for the profession.

Thanks to the dedicated guidance of my senior colleagues, I gradually gained a better understanding of the geographical location and the economic and social situation of the localities within the province. A whole new horizon about my homeland unexpectedly opened up, a horizon I would have had very little opportunity to explore if I hadn't pursued journalism or decided to settle in the province.

What do young people fear from long and arduous journeys? I still remember my first assignment in the mountainous district of Na Hang. Traveling alone on my motorbike, it took me four hours to reach Yen Hoa commune. The winding, treacherous mountain road suddenly gave way to brake failure on the pass. In an instant, my survival instinct kicked in. I crashed into a large tree by the roadside to avoid a fateful fall into the ravine. The impact left me covered in scratches and my limbs aching. It was a haunting experience, but it also strengthened my willpower and courage in my journalistic career.

But those hardships and dangers never discouraged me, because the greatest motivation for a journalist is stories about human kindness and the positive social impact that each article brings. One such story is that of Ms. Tran Thi Quan in Lung Hoa village, Dai Phu commune (Son Duong district). I met her during a field trip. Her circumstances were extremely difficult; she was struggling alone to raise her son, Tran Cong Nghiep (born in 2011), and support his education. While working as a woodcutter at a charcoal kiln, Ms. Quan unfortunately suffered a stroke, leading to a deep coma. Seeing the plight of the mother and son, especially the innocent eyes of little Nghiep, my heart ached.

Shortly afterward, I wrote an article titled "Ms. Quan and her daughter need help." Unexpectedly, the article touched the hearts of many philanthropists. In a short time, the mother and daughter received tremendous help from the community, from cash to essential supplies, helping them overcome the most difficult period. Seeing the smile return to Nghiệp's face, and seeing Ms. Quan gradually recover, I felt that all the hardships and difficulties they had gone through became meaningful.

Such socially impactful articles not only provide me with more experience but also fuel my passion, motivating me to travel more and write more.

If I had to choose again, I would still choose journalism.

Journalism has allowed me to indulge my passion and travel extensively during my youth. I travel to explore, discover, share, and accumulate knowledge and life experience, even knowing that every journey involves hardship, and even danger. The places I've visited, the people I've met, the stories I've heard are colorful pieces of life, lessons containing countless life lessons for me to ponder and learn from.

There have been trips and encounters that moved me deeply. These included the resilience of those who overcame hardship to achieve success; people struggling against natural disasters; and children in the highlands with smudged faces, shivering in their mothers' arms, wearing only a single worn-out long-sleeved shirt on a cold winter day... Journalism is hard work, but if I had to choose again, I would definitely still choose to be a journalist.

Traveling frequently means that female journalists often have to put aside family, husband, and children… There have been many times when my husband was away studying for further education, and I had to leave my child, who was not yet two years old, with my grandparents so I could go on business trips for weeks at a time. But luckily for me, my husband and family have always been understanding, encouraging, and supportive, creating the best conditions for me to pursue my passion for journalism and successfully complete my assigned tasks.

Journalism is a profession filled with mixed emotions, both joy and sorrow. It involves the hesitation between choosing and letting go, the astonishment and regret of encountering a compelling topic that wasn't explored. Yet, the awkwardness, naivety, and unfamiliarity of those early days remain vividly etched in my memory. Throughout my career, I've always been grateful for the kindness, guidance, and instruction from the editorial board and my senior colleagues. These acts of kindness are something I will forever cherish and which fuel my determination to pursue this profession.

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/nghe-bao-va-nhung-cau-chuyen-doi…-213022.html