For the past week, I spent countless hours contemplating in front of an empty Google document. In the past, words had flown effortlessly from my fingertips to the page, and my hyperactive mind was constantly buzzing with thoughts about the world around me. But now, my head is empty, maybe because I have never been good at saying goodbye.

When I first became interested in journalism, it was the only thing that occupied my mind. As a features writer for The North Wind at Northern Michigan University, I spent most of my time scanning the countless bulletin boards across campus for an upcoming event that interested me. From organized marches for social justice to book talks in the school’s library, I recall being eager to share the stories of students and faculty actively pursuing their passions.

I remember the nerves I felt before my first interview and anxiously wiping the sweat off my palms before shaking the gentleman’s hand, my inner monologue constantly reminding me I was new to the game and not entirely sure I was qualified to be a journalist. But as the semesters of my undergraduate years marched on and I learned more about the intelligent individuals who surrounded me on campus, I found bits and pieces of myself in their journeys of self-discovery.

With my newfound joy in journalism, I took a leap of faith in 2022 by reaching out to Corky DeRoeck, the publisher of the Escanaba Daily Press. I doubted my capabilities as a news reporter, considering I had less than a year of experience in the field and my degree was in political science. While confiding in a professor with concerns about an internship for the upcoming summer, I received a phone call from an unknown number.

And I immediately sent it to voicemail, as any college student would.

But when I received another call from the same number shortly after, I answered. To my surprise, Daily Press editor Brian Rowell was calling to offer me a full-time job over the summer months. He told me that he, too, had an undergraduate degree in political science, wrote for The North Wind, and was eager to have me on board.

I was ecstatic. The Daily Press was my first glimpse into the “real world.” I was thrilled to have my first “big girl” job in the industry, and as I walked into the newsroom on my first day with a sack lunch in hand, I was eager to learn what it truly meant to be a small-town journalist. After getting my very own desk, computer, and snazzy business cards, I was ready to dive into work.

As it turned out, reporting for the Daily Press differed significantly from The North Wind. While my student journalism career felt lighthearted and fun, I had to tackle some stories for the local newspaper that were much more intense. Lifeguard shortages at local beaches, the ins and outs of Gladstone City Commission meetings, and the verdict of a horrendous puppy mill case were topics I had to thoroughly comprehend, translate into understandable words, and deliver to the public for consumption. The pressure was on.

While I made mistakes and sometimes let the pressure get the best of me, as I reflect on my time at the Daily Press, I would not change a thing. For every article I was nervous about writing or for every source I did not want to reach out to, there were ten more stories about individuals in our community that I found incredibly fulfilling to document for our local history.

The first story that comes to mind is about Jim Barron, who (at the time) was an 81-year-old man who set out to do 100 full-extension push-ups in less than thirty minutes for a fundraiser event. As I made the trek to the Cornell Fire Department, I was not entirely sure what I was getting myself into. But after talking with Barron about his life and what led him to this moment, I felt honored to watch him do 120 pushups in 25 minutes – and I was eager to share his story with the community.

Similarly, when I learned that a local couple was renovating the old Michigan Theater in Escanaba, I knew I had to reach out and learn more about their story. I wanted to know what motivated them to buy the theater, their plans, and what owning a piece of downtown history felt like. They were lovely to talk to and gave me an interior tour before renovations. It was a wonderful experience I would not have had without being a journalist.

All of these experiences led me to where I am today, a young woman who was given the honor of having a column with the Daily Press for the past year and a half. I remember posing for my headshot at the beginning of August 2022, questioning if anyone would ever read “A Glimpse of Gen Z.” I was unsure what my content would be about, who it would be tailored towards, and how long I would hold the position.

However, as I got more comfortable with the creative liberties and gained confidence in my writing skills, I was able to provide my perspective and expertise on subjects that were important to me. I will forever be grateful that I was given this platform to talk about voting rights, social justice, and issues in modern society – and I sincerely thank those who “listened” to me rant about the problems plaguing college students and young adults.

But as the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end, which is why I have made the difficult decision to step away from “A Glimpse of Gen Z” and focus on my professional pursuits in outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism.

As I write the closing sentences of this column, I need to once again thank Brian Rowell for giving me this fantastic opportunity. I would also like to thank Ilsa Minor at the Daily Press for editing my articles, providing her insights, and being a wonderful mentor during my time in the newsroom. Also, a big thank you to Jessica Koth, the Daily Press newsroom clerk, for making me smile every time I clocked in.

And last but certainly not least, the biggest thank you to everyone who reached out to me and said they enjoyed my column. You will never know how much I appreciate the love and support.

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Andie Balenger is a native of Gladstone and is currently attending Northern Michigan University. Her column addresses topics from the perspective of a young adult and runs Thursdays in the Daily Press.