Durham, North Carolina | 35.9940° N, 78.8986° W | January 24, 2022
Tomorrow night I will present some of my work at Photo Night, a monthly event hosted by the UNC Chapter of the National Press Photographer’s Association (NPPA) and the Carolina Photojournalism program. While I have given several presentations at UNC over the past few years, sharing my work at Photo Night feels particularly significant.
When I was a student at the J School, attending Photo Night was always a phenomenal experience. Professional, award-winning photographers from around the world came to the basement of Carrol Hall to share their work with us. These photojournalists captured everything: from war zones on the other side of the globe to racial injustice in Durham, from the tragic events of September 11th and Hurricane Katrina, to remarkable stories of hope and human resilience.
During every presentation, I sat in awe of their stunning images and captivating stories. I often felt a bit intimidated too. I marveled at the bravery and dedication of these remarkably talented photographers. I wondered what it would be like to have such a meaningful, fulfilling career.
I never dreamed I would be one of them.
I’ve spent the past week pulling photos and video files off my hard drives, organizing PowerPoint slides, and reflecting on the experiences I’ve had since graduating from the UNC School of Journalism just over a decade ago. If only my freshly-graduated-self could see where my career has taken me — she would be amazed.
The truth is when I graduated from UNC in 2010, I didn’t have a job lined up. I was graduating from one of the best journalism schools in the country, yet I felt crippled by insecurity. I knew how to be a student. I didn’t know how to be a professional. I briefly considered applying to graduate school simply because I felt so nervous about plunging into the “real world”.
I believe it’s a common thread in human psychology to want to go back in time. What if I could go back to 2010 and tell my anxious 22-year-old-self to not worry so much? What if I could assure her that things will work out? That she will be successful and happy?
I’ve been thinking a lot about the students I’ll be talking with tomorrow night, especially those who are graduating this May. I imagine some of them are harboring anxieties or insecurities similar to what I felt 12 years ago. Leaving life as a student and becoming a young professional. Getting that first job. Those are daunting tasks even when the world isn’t reeling from a pandemic.
I wonder if the words I would write to my younger self could provide some comfort to a current college student? Maybe? Regardless, if I could travel back in time to 2010, and hand a letter to my 22-year-old self, here is what I would say:
You’re already doing great
Photojournalism student documenting rural life in the Galápagos | Summer 2009
College was fun, eh? You made some amazing friends and enjoyed lots of life enriching experiences. I’m so proud of you for sticking with the journalism major and the Spanish minor. The real-world skillsets you’ve gained from the UNC School of Journalism will help you get a job and lead to a fulfilling, creative career. Over the next decade (and probably for the rest of your life) you will be SO GLAD you can speak and write in Spanish.
Make sure you stay in touch with your favorite professors from college. They will be outstanding references when you’re applying for jobs and excellent professional resources later in your career. Plus they will take great joy in hearing about your success.
It’s okay to not have the “dream job”
Very few people go directly from being a college student to working for National Geographic. You are graduating from one of the best journalism programs in the country. You will get a job. And yes, I know that one of your classmates already landed a position with the New York Times and another one just received a Fulbright. But comparing yourself to others and putting yourself down will not help you succeed.
Be humble. It’s okay to start small. Begin wherever you can get a position and do it well. Invest in your professional relationships. Be patient. Trust the process.
You will get where you want to be eventually.
Professional photographer documenting research in the Galápagos | Summer 2017
Keep learning
You learned a lot of good stuff in college: how to write a concise and compelling narrative, how to shoot and edit photos, how to film and produce a high-quality video, how to build a website. All those things are great and will serve you well. But you must not view graduating from UNC as crossing the finish line — your college education is a foundation of knowledge on which you must continue to build.
You may not be a student any more, but that doesn’t mean you stop learning. It’s harder when you don’t have patient professors showing you how to do everything. But you must keep learning and evolving. Read books, attend workshops, complete trainings online, and talk shop with professionals in your field. Keep building on the skills you already have, and don’t be afraid to try new things.
Nurture your creative spirit
Just because you’re venturing out into the “real world” (and you’re not taking those fun creative writing classes any more) doesn’t mean your creativity should fizzle out. You will write and film and create videos for your job, but make sure you do those things for yourself as well.
And pursue other creative outlets! Write silly poems for fun. Send long letters via snail mail. Experiment with long exposure photography and light painting. Attend concerts and plays and poetry readings. Start a blog just for yourself and fill it with stuff that inspires you.
Also, when you get tired of filming, or photographing, or writing, put it away. As a storyteller, you may feel pressure to document every moment of life. You don’t have to. Close the laptop. Leave your camera at home. Do some yoga, go for a long walk, watch a good movie. Give yourself a break.
Also, sleep! Sleep is very important.
Wear Sunscreen
You may start off working in a traditional office, but you’re going to end up spending most of your time outside — especially on boats and islands. Drink lots of water. Wear sunscreen. And have fun.