Journalism’s for me

By Dale Liesch (Contact) | Alex City Outlook

Published Monday, November 30, 2009

Writing has always been important to me, even from an early age.

I was a lonely kid, I guess, so I would use my imagination to paint various scenes that would help me escape from the ordinary or mundane. Anything I could write would probably be more interesting than my actual life, so it was a good escape.

My grandmother was one of the first people to help me discover my knack for storytelling. I would describe various aspects of my day to her as I sat down beside her on a leather couch in her condominium in Portland, Ore. While I never completely lied to her about the day, I made up aspects of each story to make it more interesting.

My love for writing and storytelling only got stronger as I entered my first year at the University of Alabama in 2003. I chose the school in Tuscaloosa not because I was a huge football fan, but because I was interested in making a lot of money as a lawyer. My interest in writing propelled my desire to major in journalism as an undergraduate.

The first three years I majored in journalism and minored in creative writing with every intention of taking the LSAT and applying to law school after I graduated.

But then I hit a wall.

Halfway through my junior year of school as I starting focusing more on my major and less on general studies, I found that my love of writing had manifested itself in a passion for journalism. The more I learned of my major, the more I enjoyed it.

As the summer of my senior year approached I made the decision to leave my dream of law and pursue a new career doing what I loved.

As law school and LSAT pressures ceased and I focused even more on my love, my grades improved and I found myself enjoying school. I guess the key really is finding that little thing in life you enjoy.

I was taken aback recently when a friend told me I was living the dream. I didn’t want to believe that being happy with a career would be so easy, but I don’t view this as a job or work, it’s a part of me.

Choosing to forego law school and focus on journalism was the best decision I’ve made to this point in my life. I love this career. I love the excitement of it. I love that there’s the potential for something different each day. Journalism is probably never going to make me rich, but I will always be a newspaperman.

In any career, doing what you enjoy is always more important than finding the highest paying job. It all comes back to the old saying that if you enjoy what you do you’ll never work a day in your life.

If that is true, I’m prepared for a lifelong vacation.

Dale Liesch is the news editor of The Alexander City Outlook.

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