Mineral County,
I’ll be frank: I have been trying to leave
It has nothing to do with the county itself. This is a wonderful place to live with a relaxing lifestyle and happy people, and I can see why so many are pleased and proud to call this area home.
But I’ve never viewed it as a home. I’ve always seen it as a job. This is where my first professional opportunity came, and I’m glad for that. Now it’s time to move on. I have accepted a reporter job at a daily paper in a bigger market.
I realize this isn’t fair to you. Whether or not you are happy to see me go is not the issue. What isn’t fair is that you can’t expect consistency from the Mineral Independent. It’s supposed to be your paper, something you can depend on for your news. Yet new faces come in every six months and screw everything up one more time.
Toward the beginning of my time here, many people asked me if I was already searching for a new job or how long I planned on staying.
The problem is that the Mineral Independent is the smallest market a journalist can work in. It’s a weekly paper covering a county of nearly 4,000 people. Anyone who enters this profession hoping to spend their life at a paper like the Mineral isn’t prioritizing their career. That’s the harsh reality. It’s unfortunate that you’re the ones who suffer from the high turnover.
My replacement is also a recent college graduate looking to begin her career. Maybe she will fall in love with
Regardless, I hope you will welcome her just like you welcomed me. I know I’ve made mistakes. I know she will, too. I also know that the kind of mistakes we make dissipate with time as we become more familiar with the people and issues in the county. That’s why it’s so frustrating, I imagine, for you to constantly be dealing with new reporters.
I’d like to thank you for putting up with everything – from lousy photos to mindless blunders. I’d also like to thank you for the diversity of stories you’ve allowed me to cover. One of the amazing things about this job is that it demands covering high school sports, commissioners meetings and forest fires all in the same day.
Teachers always say that they will forever remember their first students. I know I never will forget
Maybe someday the right person will arrive. That person will be as equally committed to journalism as they are to
Comments welcome,
Andrew
Your farewell is beautiful and incredibly thoughtful. They were lucky to have you. I'm excited about the next chapter, Andrew. That you can be so reflective of your brief career at this early date speaks volumes of how well you will do in your career ahead and the kind of professional you are.
ReplyDelete~Rebecca
Hi Andrew, It has been a real joy reading your stories. I know you will good in where ever you go.Always.have safe trip.You are only 4,971 from fl. Alan
ReplyDeleteIm know this is a turbulent time in your life. It takes a person of your character and intelligence to make this a positive experience and a learning one I am rooting for you.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE YOU GRANDPA
In 2008, I had four different jobs, three different health insurance companies, at three different publications (online at Boston.com, once (almost twice), warehouse magazine and the Ledger (twice)). Sometimes it takes awhile. You're going to do great.
ReplyDeleteI can't help but relate this to my work as a Geographer. You have captured the issue of place vs. space better than an academic journal article could. Even if you didn't quite grasp all of the tangible and intangible elements that make Mineral County unique, you know they're there and can appreciate them. I think that must be one of the most important skills for a local reporter to have.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes on the trip. Can't wait for more.
Jackie
That was a nice post and a nice way to say goodbye to a period of your life.
ReplyDeletejames