Even though it might be a terrifying thought, doing anything you can to follow your dreams is something I recommend to every young adult out there.
I am both sad and happy to say, after seven months in the newsroom at the Advertiser, I am leaving to follow a dream I have had for a long time.
At 23 years old, going out into the big bad world scares the socks off of me and at the same time excites me.
I feel an odd sense of terror, excitement, fear and hope all mixed together.
Crossing the seas to a land where a heatwave is announced when the temperature hits 30 degrees and the sun is almost never visible, I smile a little each time I think of all the opportunities that await me.
But despite my excitement, I am sad to leave the Addie newsroom, where I have learnt a lot and made some good friendships in my short time here.
After months of looking for jobs after finishing university, the Addie took a chance on me and I am grateful every day for that.
Thanks to our Editor, I will never forget the name of the mayor of Ekurhuleni, Mondli Gungubele.
When I interviewed at the Advertiser, the Editor asked me this question and my heart sank with embarrassment, as I live in Ekurhuleni but did not know the answer to this easy but intimidating question.
From that day, even though it was before I actually got the job, I made a point of never, ever forgetting it.
Our then sub editor took me under her wing and helped me navigate my way around the newsroom and around Springs, as I live in Benoni.
It took me four months but I eventually learnt the confusing difference between avenues and streets in Springs town and avenues and streets in Geduld.
My three great co-journalists; the office mom, the short one and the stylish one, all played a huge role in my time here.
I have loved working in the Springs community and was surprised at first how friendly everyone in Springs is.
I only hope I can find people as friendly to work around when I get to my next destination.
To everyone who has a dream to achieve their ultimate goals, I say do it. Don’t let things get in your way and if an opportunity comes up, don’t think twice about it, you may never get an opportunity like that again.
There is an inspirational saying I love, it says, “Don’t ever settle for second best. Don’t ever give up on your dreams and what you have always wanted in life”.
