This September, I’ll be a freshman at the University of Oregon, majoring in journalism.

I have noticed while attending high school that there’s a lack of opportunities from local writing industries that provide help toward students and graduates who are seeking degrees within the writing community.

As a soon-to-be high school graduate, I find it difficult to get in touch with willing companies that are aware of the essential need for upcoming journalists to have strong knowledge of their line of work. It’s likely that most people believe that the journalism career is pretty simple, as it revolves around reading and writing — which most people are pretty fond of — but I disagree.

There are many levels of the journalism industry, and if more local companies were to highlight that factor and make more student-based opportunities, I believe that it’ll create a more robust interest within our town.

Newspaper companies are declining in today’s generation. Many people no longer make the effort to read the newspaper, and I recognize that this shift is significantly affecting the attention given to students who are seeking journalism opportunities.

However, that decrease should be the reason as to why companies reach out to students. Just because newspapers are running out of style, doesn’t mean that the journalism community has to, too.

Ultimately, I want to emphasize how important it is that local work industries understand the impact they have on aspiring writers, and to highlight their work.

ROSIE HERRERA
Astoria