End of four week vac work

After writing my last story, I sat at my desk staring at the monitor, a cocktail of emotions. It is my last day. Four weeks can seem like four days when I'm deeply immersed in what I love and forget to look at the clock ticking furiously on the wall.

It was time to bid farewell to the journalists I've been with for the past four weeks and the newspaper that has offered me a scholarship to study journalism and follow my dream of becoming a reporter. It was only after I'd stepped out of Media Park that I felt an overpowering sense of sadness for leaving.

Even though I was going to be away for about four months, the days I've spent in the City Press newsroom were worthwhile. I've seen the practical face of reporting and it was not as easy as I had imagined. To be a successful reporter one has to work hard and be committed to the work of reporting.

I experienced the sadness and frustration of the newsroom, and subsequently the sheer pleasure of seeing my name on the City Press print and online editions. But I think I could have done better by being more proactive and aggressively coming up with more story ideas and producing clean copy.

I have identified areas where I need to improve, thanks to my supervisor and colleagues who were supportive during my brief stint. During the next semester at university I'm going to work on areas where I have shortcomings and hope that when I return in December I'll be a step ahead.