When I was a freshman in 1996, I was initially reluctant to attend Rutgers-Newark. I wanted to take classes on the New Brunswick campus because, well, that was the "popular" campus. But as a commuter with a part-time job, attending R-N made more sense.
It wasn't until two years later, when I developed an interest in journalism, that I realized how sensible that decision really was.
R-N is one of a few colleges which offer journalism as a major. And for students interested in a career in communications, Newark is right in the center of the metropolitan area near major newspapers, television stations, and publishing giants.
I was still a college student when I started my journalism career at The Record of Hackensack, a daily newspaper based in Bergen County. I was hired, in part, based on the solid reputation of R-N's journalism program. A few Record employees were alumni.
My entire senior year I commuted from campus to my night job at the paper, where I wrote obituaries and handled calls from irate readers. I eventually moved up the ladder from obit writer to award-winning news reporter.
After six years with The Record, I recently decided to leave my job to pursue teaching. However, I was offered the opportunity to continue writing for the paper from home. This summer I teamed up with my former editor to launch "Duets," a bi-monthly opinion column which explores the generational differences between a "baby boomer" and a "gen-Xer." It's a dream come true for a 25-year-old!
I probably would not have chosen a career in journalism if I attended another Rutgers campus. My journalism instructors at R-N -- experienced professionals who spent years in the business -- not only inspired me to become a reporter, they inspired me to teach.
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