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Engaging in journalism during one's academic years, whether driven by passion or career aspiration, has the potential to unlock latent abilities, foster critical thinking, and cultivate a commitment to truth-seeking. Such pursuits are not only personally enriching but also hold significant societal value, contributing to a more informed and transparent public discourse. Being an independent profession, journalism often accretes the youths, amplifying their quest to behold the hidden truths and interrogate the power to create a balanced accountability. Furthermore, acting as a mirror of society, this profession facilitates any society to the right track, which often motivates the students to practise it, even from their student life.
Tahmid Shakib is Dhaka University correspondent of the Dhaka-based The Financial Express. He shared his journey toward journalism. He said, "I had always thought of doing that type of work which may create a positive impact in the state and contribute to society which ultimately pushed me to choose journalism in my student life. Moreover, I always wanted to do extra-curricular activities as well as my academic studies from the first year and so, I felt that, since I am studying journalism, I can do campus journalism through which I will have a good experience. Thus, my journey with this profession started."
"During the first year, I was appointed as DU correspondent at DBC News. As there is a lot of work pressure, I quit after working for a few days. Then I worked in a newspaper and now I am a DU correspondent at The Financial Express. Journalism builds up my communication skill and also creates a source of financial support as well as creating social respect. It develops my innovative outlook to look at every event differently and in depth, though there is always a little pressure while practising this profession."
He further said, "I am not thinking much about the future, there are many scopes to do well here. If everything is fine, then I will stay here. I also want to work in foreign media, as well as take higher studies abroad."
Mohammad Azhar is Chittagong University correspondent at Banglanews24.com. He is also the president of Chittagong University Journalists' Association. Sharing his journey of journalism, he said, "I was inspired to be a journalist from my father as he is also a journalist by profession. The dream got the scope to come true when I was admitted into University of Chittagong and one of my seniors told me to join this profession because it builds dynamism in a person early on. I first joined The Daily Campus and it was the start of that career. Right now, I am working as a campus correspondent at Banglanews24.com."
"If I share my experience of journalism, I will say that this is enriched with some memorable incidents. At the same time, it has some pitfalls too. The campus journalists have to work in all of the bits where others work in any specific bit, either education or crime, or any other bit. As we have to work with different bits at a time, I must say our profession is very enriching and gives a holistic understanding of the real world. Also I received awards for my good performance in my career several times, which are inspirations to me to continue this profession."
"But there are some bad experiences too while continuing journalism. First of all, the salary is not always handsome for a journalist which sometimes demotivates them. Also only some get permanent recruitment after their graduation that often discourages the newcomers to come to this profession."
"I spent a lot of time on journalism. So, I believe that quitting this profession will make my efforts for the last several years in vain. But if it becomes tough to continue, then I may try to continue this profession as a freelance journalist as well as another main profession such as communication professional for different organisations," added Azhar.
Hasan Sojib is Jahangirnagar University Campus correspondent at The Financial Express. He is also practising journalism from his student life. He said, "I started to work at The Financial Express in 2020. As a student of law, I could connect my academic courses to this profession as law teaches us to judge any particular event, and journalism is also related to showing the real scenario of society to the people."
He further said, "To work in journalism is always challenging. First of all, collecting exact information from the authentic source is sometimes tough. Similarly, the journalists may have to face disrupted situations while reporting, especially while making investigative reports. But if he/she is morally developed and has the courage to face any uncertain situation, then the person must do better in this career."
Md Rayhan Abid is a student of Bangladesh Agricultural University. He is also working as a campus correspondent at The Financial Express. He said, "As a student of animal husbandry, I was intrigued to know about livestock and current affairs related to that sector. Agricultural pages and some lead stories helped me to learn about those things broadly. The more I learnt, the more I found interest in searching for those things and thus I became very curious to know the new topics and do research to give a positive impact to society. Thus journalism came to my mind and I started my journey with it."
"I will say that the thirst for knowing the truth and the aim to find out the back stories are the main ways to do good in this profession. Also remaining honest while practising journalism is another key point to be successful here," he added.
Answering the question of future planning of journalism, Rayhan said, "I want to write, search and find out the back stories of each livestock and agricultural sector. Whether I become full-time a journalist or take part in another profession, I want to tell stories of my experience in this sector to society."
Mohammad Tanvir Hossain is Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University Correspondent of Bangla Vision and Daily Manobkantha. He said, "I had always had an attraction toward journalism. I started my class at university in 2020. As my department is Marketing, so at first, I thought I might not continue the practice of journalism. But that year, during Covid-19, I found the member recruitment circular at my university journalist association. Then I applied for it and joined that organisation."
"Initially, I joined Naya Shatabdi, and after that I joined as a campus correspondent at Bangla Vision and Daily Manobkantha. Still now, I am working in those media platforms. As I have been writing poems from an early age, I tried to practise writing in different media platforms, and so I involved myself with journalism."
"I enjoyed my profession and I want to carry it in my future. The marketing segment of media attracts me a lot, as I am a student of that field. Now I have my own platform named 'Campus Radio' where I conduct the different youth related online shows. I want to make this platform an educational and active source of resource sharing for all of the students."
The writer is an MBA student at the Department of Banking and Insurance at University of Chittagong.