A t the beginning of my summer holidays, I was as carefree and clueless as any other sixteen year old. Cruising down the roads and exploring every nook and cranny of Karachi felt thrilling.
Stepping stone
A t the beginning of my summer holidays, I was as carefree and clueless as any other sixteen year old. Cruising down the roads and exploring every nook and cranny of Karachi felt thrilling. But deep down, the idea of being unproductive all summer was disappointing. I wanted to learn some fascinating skills and add another feather to my cap. After a few more days of frolicking around, The Almighty opened a door for me, which happened to be the entrance of The News’ office.
It all started when I went there to meet an employee I knew. A short while later, I had already made friends and landed an internship. I couldn’t believe my ears as I was just a shy but avid reader who liked to pen down her thoughts on paper, but never shared them with anyone due to lack of confidence. Little did I know that this internship would be a magical journey leading me to the beginning of my dream.
Every day, I would travel in a mini van to reach the sleek office, quite tastefully set. A whole new sense of freedom washed over me, granting me fresh hopes. I had my own desk and computer to work on. Initially, I was assigned small tasks, like finding illustrations to go along with articles or editing write-ups. Because of interning at Us, I learned about the value of time and what exactly professionalism is.
When it came down to writing my first article for Us, I felt confidence draining out of my cells and self-doubt replacing it. Yes, I loved writing and poetry, but writing for a reputable youth magazine? Would they like it or just throw it straight out of the window? My fingers shook at some points and I kept erasing whatever I wrote. But after a few restless nights and hard work, I submitted what I had managed to put up and hoped for the best. After a week or two, when I first saw my name in print, I couldn’t hold back the solitary tear which accompanied the ecstatic blushing. It was at that moment when I realized that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life - paint my thoughts on fresh paper which would serve as my canvas, craft beautiful, gripping tales and touch people’s hearts in unimaginable ways.
Interning and working as a content contributor for Us has taught me a lot, like writing within a certain word limit, handling victory and dealing with criticism. I learned that inspiration can hit a person from the most unexpected of sources. For instance, a person’s single statement or witnessing something simple yet captivating from the car’s window can be turned into a thought-provoking article. Now, when I look at myself, I know I still have a lot to pursue but the internship was indeed a stepping stone. From a timid dreamer lost in cloud-cuckoo land, I transformed into a passionate writer and a keen observer. If that’s not life-changing, then I don’t know what is!
Ever felt the need to be heard? Experienced something that changed you in any way and could inspire others, too? Want to share it with youth? Send them to tooba.ghani@thenews.com.pk
