What's this and why are we here?

Welcome to My Journalism Blog!

Hi everyone, welcome! I’ve never blogged before, so we are going to learn how to do this together. I am glad you're here. This blog serves two main purposes: to help me develop my blogging skills, and to provide a space where I can practice journalistic writing. Whether you’re a seasoned reader or someone from my class, I appreciate your time and interest in my journey as a writer.

My Beat and How I Plan to Cover It

My beat is sports journalism with an emphasis on the importance of youth athletics. I’ll be covering stories related to young athletes, their development, the challenges they face, and the broader impact of sports on their lives. This could range from local high school competitions to discussions on how sports impact mental health. I plan to post at least once a week, sharing feature stories, interviews, and analysis.

My Journalism Experience

While I may not be a seasoned journalist just yet, I have some experience in writing and storytelling. I’ve taken a few journalism courses here at UNC. This blog is my way of refining those skills while engaging with sports, which I truly enjoy.

Why I Chose This Beat

I’ve always been drawn to sports, not just for the excitement of competition but for the personal stories behind the athletes. Youth athletics, in particular, is fascinating because it’s a period of growth, challenges, and major life decisions. I played sports growing up, and I use lessons I learned everyday. I think it is essential for children to be involved in physical activity and I am excited to share my thoughts here. By covering this beat, I hope to explore the positive and negative aspects of youth sports, including issues like burnout, injuries, and the pressures young athletes face. Through my reporting, I aim to bring awareness to these topics and celebrate the young athletes.

My Strengths and Weaknesses as a Journalist

As a writer, I believe my greatest strength is in storytelling and personal connection. I enjoy diving deep into topics, gathering different perspectives, and crafting narratives that engage readers. My biggest challenge, however, is maintaining objectivity. When covering a topic I’m passionate about, it’s easy to let personal opinions slip in. Developing a more balanced writing style is something I want to work on.

My Blogging Experience

I’ve never blogged before! While I’ve written in other formats, the interactive and conversational style of blogging is brand new to me. It’s different from traditional journalism because it allows for more personality and engagement with readers. I’m excited to explore this format and improve my ability to connect with my audience.

My Thoughts on Blogging

I think blogging is intimidating. The idea of putting my thoughts and research out there for anyone to read is both exciting and stressful. What if I make a mistake? What if no one reads it? But at the same time, I love the opportunity to share my perspective, learn from feedback, and build a platform. I love social media and connection through apps so I think I will enjoy this! I hope to improve my confidence, develop a stronger voice, and create content that resonates with people reading this!

For anyone interested in sports journalism, I highly recommend checking out Sports Illustrated (https://www.si.com/) and The Athletic (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/). These sites have good examples of in depth sports reporting and storytelling.

I look forward to growing as a journalist and sharing my journey with everyone. See you next time.

KbyKaylan