There are three definitions of the word "dream" in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: "A series of thoughts, visions or feelings that happen during sleep; an idea or vision that is created in your imagination and that is not real; something that you have wanted very much to do, be, or have for a long time." The saying "Chase your dreams" is related to the third definition. This article about pursuing my journalistic ambition wouldn't have been possible had I not seen a post on social media by the 61st most powerful woman in the world.
Three weeks ago on Twitter, Huffington Post founder and editor-in-chief Arianna Huffington posted the following:
"Some of the world's best ideas were inspired by dreams. Anything creative your dreams have inspired?" She provided her email address and without hesitation, I replied: "I'm a student and aspiring journalist who believes in seeking nothing but the truth. I like to explore and though I don't specifically remember my childhood dreams, they were about facing, but at the same time, not being afraid of fear."
Since childhood, I have been interested in journalism and politics. When I was in my early teens, I frequently watched the early local news. Now as a young adult, attending school in Washington, D.C. I can take advantage of a plethora of journalistic opportunities.
A couple years ago, on behalf of my school's radio station I interviewed two Pulitzer Prize-winning writers: New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman and Washington Post syndicated columnist and Fox News commentator Charles Krauthammer.
Fast-forward to November 12, 2014. The day before I was intensely interviewed for the internship program at the National Journalism Center (NJC), which places interns at prominent media outlets such as The Weekly Standard, Townhall.com, Washington Examiner, and The Daily Caller. I received a voice message from the director of NJC and called back. Upon answering why I should be part of the Spring 2015 class and be part of a program that's trained well-respected media personalities such as Malcolm Gladwell and Fox News' Greg Gutfeld, he responded, "You're in."
My internship through the National Journalism Center placed me at The Weekly Standard. I interned four days a week with a seminar at the NJC headquarters in Reston, Virginia every Friday. In addition to learning from the best in the profession, such as executive editor Fred Barnes, this internship afforded me the opportunity to be published a few times under my byline.
Last April I also had the opportunity to be on the set of one of my favorite cable news shows, Special Report with Bret Baier on Fox News. There I met an inspiration of mine: Charles Krauthammer, who incidentally remembered my interview with him last year.
Define your dreams. Be active in causing them to become reality. To quote a Yiddish proverb: "If you want your dreams to come true, don't sleep."