Jake Lauer - Fall 2001

I didn’t mean to become a journalist; in fact, at times I have tried to avoid the whole business. However, like a drug, this work is terribly addicting.

I found my first newspaper job in high school after a football injury left me without a fall sport to play. After a half-year with the small weekly I learned that I loved telling other peoples’ stories and, more importantly, I glimpsed the overwhelming influence newspapers wield. I was intrigued.

However, during my three-year career at The Rocky Mountain Collegian at Colorado State University, my intrigue developed into passion for and awe of journalism. I began to realize the incredible responsibility we bear as journalists to accurately and fairly impart news and analysis to our readers. I began to see this as a civil-service industry. My calling.

Now I see story ideas as I walk down the street; each morning I make a bee-line for whatever paper may be available; sadly enough, I even edit for grammar and AP style personal letters and e-mails I receive.

It’s disgusting. But like I said, journalism is like a drug, and I am hooked.

Graduation from CSU will come in May. Of course, with it will come the feared job search. Therefore, this semester with Scripps Howard Foundation Wire in our nation’s splendid capital will be my proving ground for potential future employers.

I plan to soak up all I can and, from my experiences, generate informative and entertaining material that you, the reader, can enjoy and appreciate.

Thanks for visiting and don’t go too far, because the news never sleeps.

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