I remember the fear and excitement of walking into the newsroom for the first time when I was an intern at the Free Press in the winter of 2009. Just knowing that my words and byline were going to be in print (and online) and read by thousands of people gave me a dizzying sense of joy and accomplishment.
Cook, you did it.
My stint lasted two weeks, and I’ll tell you what, I sauntered back into the second half of my first year of college (creative communications) smug and feeling like my two weeks in the newsroom put me on a sort of pedestal. I was, after all, a published journalist now, and my mom and my amma had every single one of my clippings from the paper saved in a scrapbook to prove it.
I interned at other newsrooms after that (the Winnipeg Sun and what was then called the Portage Daily Graphic), but after I graduated, my career path led me down a different path. The idea of being a journalist was put on the back shelf. It just wasn’t meant to be, I figured. At least I had a few combined months of intern experience to reflect on.
Anyway, as life would have it, the path ahead of us is always full of surprises and twists and turns we never could have imagined. Nearly three years ago when I found myself back in the Free Press newsroom (again, full of fear and excitement), I couldn’t believe I was somehow getting a second shot to write for the paper, only this time as a columnist, and after a few months of freelance writing as a full-time employee to work on the Reader Bridge project.
We’ve done some really good work and shared some incredible stories.
I know I’ve said it before, and I will say it again (and again): this was a dream come true.
I’ve had the privilege and platform to share all sorts of stories over the years; my own and the stories that others have trusted me with. I have met so many wonderful people and learned so many new things. I also realized how hard it can be to put yourself out there, and how no matter what, not everyone is going to like, or agree with what you have to say all the time. More than that, I discovered not everyone is going to like you.
I have learned how the newsroom grinds day after day like a well-oiled machine to put together the stories we read, and that there are so many people behind the scenes who contribute to these stories. I’ve also discovered a real appreciation for how valuable good journalism is. I know the paywall is annoying, and a deterrent even, but the truth is that paying for and subscribing to journalism means news outlets, such as the Free Press, can keep good people working on important stories that will happen with, or without coverage.
Working at the Free Press and sharing stories has been one of my greatest honours, and admittedly a bigger part of my sense of self and identity than I realized. It has been a dream come true.
So, what do you do when you achieve your dreams? You enjoy and appreciate the hell out of the accomplishment and try new things.
Another career opportunity presented itself, and I decided to jump at it. I’m moving on from the Free Press, and this will be my last column. I am signing off and saying thank you to everyone who has read my columns and so graciously reached out to me. I will miss you. I’m not done telling stories, though I am taking a break and I’m not sure what platform they’ll be on next. Maybe a blog? I haven’t thought that far yet.
Thank you for sharing the last (almost) three years with me. I have loved writing this column, and I have loved getting to know so many of you and sharing so many important stories.
Shelley Cook
Columnist, Manager of Reader Bridge project
Shelley is a born and raised Winnipegger. She is a proud member of the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation.
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