By Alondra Sofía Irizarry Ramos
High School Student and Journalism Camp Participant
I learned that journalism is a broad profession where you can contribute through many different areas that you are passionate about. It is like a blank canvas that you can paint with your own interests, always guided by respect, truthfulness, fact-checking, accuracy, and, above all, humanity.
During this camp, I confirmed that journalism exists to serve the public, amplify voices that have been silenced, and create space for those who deserve to be heard. That is exactly what inspires me most about this profession: the opportunity to help others and contribute to a better quality of life for everyone.
One of the greatest lessons I take away is the courage a journalist must have to tell stories and reveal realities that many people would rather ignore. I also realized that curiosity should never be lost because it is the driving force behind investigating, learning, and uncovering meaningful information. One conversation that particularly stood out to me was about the importance of accuracy in reporting. While journalists often have to work quickly, it is always better to publish a story a few minutes later with verified information than to rush and risk getting the facts wrong. I also learned a great deal about photojournalism.
I discovered that a single photograph has the power to tell a story without saying a word and can inspire action and raise awareness on its own. I learned that every image should be captured with respect, empathy, and integrity because behind every photograph there is a person, a story, and a reality that deserves to be treated with sensitivity. Above all, I learned that journalism must always be practiced with strong ethics and human values. When we approach every interview and every story with integrity and responsibility, our work can truly make a difference.
I left this experience with an even greater appreciation for the power of a microphone to give visibility to people who need to be heard and for journalism’s ability to inspire action and create awareness. During our reporting assignment, we visited businesses in Santurce to cover the ongoing water issues affecting the community. What I will always remember is the hope and kindness with which business owners welcomed us and shared the difficult realities they face every day. Those moments of genuine connection with people are what I will treasure most about this profession.