Scholarship Essay Entry – Tessa C.

Journalism has fascinated me for many reasons, the first one being that I love to know exactly what's going on. But journalism is about more than that. It is about opening eyes, voicing issues and providing checks and balances. It questions what you know and seeks answers to what you don't. It is about speaking freely and by remaining a public service, plays a crucial role in all societies.

Good journalism stimulates controversy while clarifying details. Great journalism takes complex or distant matters and makes them significant, relevant, relatable and compelling to the audience. It captures attention and prompts readers to ask questions or pursue topics further. It acts as a check on our government, and gives the people a voice through which to be heard. It is a two-way medium of communication that is crucial to our society. It is for these reasons that journalism has continually sparked my curiosity and made me want to pursue this career. Media can bring the whole world into our own households. It helps us to explore a wide variety of subject matter that may otherwise not be available.

"When we're connected to others, we become better people." I found this anonymous quote a few years ago, and I feel it embodies what journalism is really about. Community service is an important aspect of journalism and to me as a person. I want to be involved in that community; help them see what's going on and how great it is really is. I've had the opportunity to work for my local newspapers for the past two summers and the experience has really shown me what a difference media can make in political and environmental decisions, and the response it can bring from the community. This has also reinforced my belief that this is the right career for me- I love going to work every day, and it's never the same.

I feel that a more knowledgeable public, who is involved and understands what is going on in their society is better able to cope with issues that come their way - like the current economic crisis, or decisions on the international stage. A public that is enlightened and understanding of the events going on around them can do great things, change their world and the world around them.

After graduating from Mount Royal University in 2012, I want to use my education to open Canadian's eyes to issues both here at home and abroad. I feel I can make a difference in people's lives, the way they think and act and that I can do it through communications. How else would people know what's going on around them without the newspaper or daily news broadcasts? Journalism is one of the heartbeats of our society, whether we like it or not. I have been inspired by those before me, those who are currently in the field and I know I can add to this legacy in our lives.