Francis Lam said it best.

Journalism. It’s a tough job with insane pressure and pretty crappy pay. On the other hand, everybody hates you.

He’s not lying. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to sacrifice sleep, dinner, my social life or a combination of the three just to make deadline. And I am confident that every single other student journalist here at the Daily has found themselves in the same boat. 

As managing editor of content, I directly oversee 16 editors but am responsible for the content that nearly 200 reporters and photographers produce as well. I make sure that everything that comes across my desk is covered fairly, completely and accurately in the best way possible. 

It’s hard work. 

Editors work well over 40 hours a week, on top of other jobs and classes. We aren’t paid hourly. The mistakes we make aren’t behind closed doors like many other professions. They’re as public as they get. So in combination with that and the overall national attitudes toward journalism, it’s a tough gig.

Although I spend the majority of my time inside the newsroom, my true passion lies in visual storytelling through the means of photojournalism. I’ve worked as a photojournalist here at the Daily for over two years now, which has ultimately provided me with many memories, both good and bad.

I’ve gotten frostbite twice, been crushed by referees, hit on by male photographers from other news organizations, booed at political rallies for doing my job, had beer spilled on me and my camera and have shed the normal blood, sweat and tears, all while on assignment.

But I’m not writing this to complain. I believe I have the greatest job in the entire world. Here’s why:

I’ve stood on the sidelines of Jack Trice Stadium. I’ve sat on the baselines of Hilton Coliseum and the Sprint Center. I’ve photographed the President of the United States. I’ve dived to the bottom of the pool armed with a GoPro for an ROTC training exercise. I’ve traveled to Washington, D.C. to talk about the importance of free speech on college campuses. I’ve taken photos from the roof of Geoffroy Hall. I’ve stood in front of the front row at the concerts of Dustin Lynch, X Ambassadors, Ben Rector, Dan and Shay, MKTO and Cam.

And I’ve met the most amazing people along the way.

I’ve spent hours on end with several members of the Alliance for Disability Awareness. I helped share the story of Justin Brown, an Army veteran who returned to college to play hockey again. I talked to a man who spends his time traveling to college campuses, hoping to change the world through art. I’ve met the man inside Cy. I interviewed over 50 students about their experiences relating to diversity and inclusion on campus.

My camera has served as a tool for me to enter other people’s lives to show the world what they need to know. It’s taught me to be resilient, like when it decided to break in the middle of the Big 12 Tournament. It’s forced me to think creatively (I’m telling you, taking interesting photos of a lecture is harder than it looks!) It’s also taught me to find beauty in the imperfections in life. 

I love what I do, I love the people I work with and I truly can’t imagine doing anything else. Happy News Engagement Day.