Steady steps with journalism

Surprised…

The day I received my new assignment, the first thing I did was to ask permission to meet Mr. Nguyen Kien Hung, then the Editor-in-Chief, privately to express my concerns and fears. He reassured me: “Don’t worry, I and the other members of the Editorial Board will guide and support you. I have great confidence in you, so I assigned this important responsibility to you. The important thing is that you must be confident in your abilities.” After listening to him, I felt somewhat reassured but still very worried. In front of me was the Editorial Secretariat, along with reporters and editors who had worked in journalism for many years, now under the leadership and direction of me, a “newbie” in journalism. I felt that somewhere deep down they still did not “convince” me and did not believe in my abilities. And that was right, my major was economics, I worked in organization and administration, and now I was the Editorial Secretary, the leader and director of them - nearly 30 people - to produce the content of 3 newspapers (!?).

Not only my brothers and sisters in the editorial office but also my relatives and some colleagues working in newspapers and radio stations in the province shared the same thought. Someone told me: "Have you ever studied journalism or worked in journalism to become an editorial secretary?". I smiled wryly: "You see Vo Dac Danh (Sai ​​Gon Tiep Thi newspaper), Thien Thao (Ho Chi Minh City Police newspaper), Tien Trinh (Thanh Nien newspaper)... at that time did not study journalism even once but they are doing journalism very well, and are famous. You will see." That said, I could not help but worry. What should I do and how can I make people change their views about me, to fulfill the responsibilities assigned to me? Many nights I could not sleep because of this question.

            Learn a trade - love the trade

“All beginnings are hard”. That is true. Along with Vietnam Pictorial of Vietnam News Agency, Dat Mui Pictorial is the only pictorial newspaper of Ca Mau province that no other province or city in the country has. Dat Mui Pictorial has 3 publications and an online newspaper, with 2 weekly publications (Dat Mui Pictorial Monday and Dat Mui Weekend) and a bilingual Vietnamese-Khmer newspaper published twice a month. It was not easy for a brand new editorial secretary like me.

I decided to study hard.

First of all, I study by myself. I buy and borrow many books about journalism, journalism skills, and textbooks by many domestic and foreign authors to study. At the same time, I search online, learn from seniors, colleagues, and friends to draw my own lessons. In addition, when there are training courses on journalism, photography, etc. organized, I always take the time to participate.

And fortunately, around mid-2011, I heard the announcement that the Center for Continuing Education of Ca Mau province in collaboration with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Hanoi National University opened a part-time Journalism course right in Ca Mau city. I registered immediately because this was a great opportunity for me to equip myself with knowledge. In December of that year, the class opened.

We are really lucky that the people who bring us knowledge are famous and enthusiastic teachers, journalists and researchers such as Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Minh Thai, Associate Professor, Dr. Duong Xuan Son, Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Thi Thu Huong, Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Quang Hao, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Loi, Deputy Director of the Center for Professional Activities of the Vietnam Journalists Association, Editor-in-Chief of the Journalist Magazine Pham Quoc Toan... During nearly 4 years of both working and studying, there were many emotions towards teachers and classmates, but the most impressive thing was still the knowledge and experience that teachers imparted to us.

In addition to the theory, the teachers spent most of their time imparting and sharing the most practical experiences and knowledge, updated with the most creative and lively “hands-on” method, along with many field trips that “enhanced our knowledge” a lot, which could be applied immediately to our daily journalism work. The more I studied, the more I loved journalism, a profession that I never thought I would do.

Steady steps with the profession

With what I learned, along with the guidance and support of my colleagues in the Editorial Board and the Editorial Secretariat, I have changed the way people think and look at me. In my position, I have organized innovation in the organization and operation of the editorial office, innovating both the content and form of Dat Mui Photo Newspaper publications on the basis of maintaining the characteristics of photo newspapers. Besides, I have also written many political articles, reports... to prove that I am a real journalist. From having little information, dry content, lacking "hotness", current events, poor images... to now, the newspapers and electronic newspapers of Dat Mui Photo Newspaper have become more beautiful and attractive.

As the “extended arm” of the Editorial Board, I have not let down everyone’s trust. In March 2015, I was appointed by the Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee as Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Dat Mui Photo Newspaper. In my new position, I continue to work and study at the same time. Now that I have finished the program of the University of Journalism class, as always, I always tell myself to study, study more, study forever. And the day I graduated from the journalism class will be a day I will never forget.

I would like to sincerely thank all the teachers at the Faculty of Journalism and Communication who have helped me to firmly pursue a career in journalism.

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the faculty, I wish all teachers good health, happiness and success!