WHEN I first started my internship with the Sarawak Tribune, I was excited but also really nervous.
I looked forward to learning new things and getting real experiences but I could not stop thinking about how hard it would be to talk to people.
I have always had a hard time with social anxiety, especially when it comes to starting conversations with strangers.
The idea of doing interviews or even chatting with people I did not know made me really anxious.
But as the weeks went by, this internship helped me change in ways I did not expect.
One of the biggest things I have learned is how to be more confident when talking to others.
At first, just walking up to someone felt like a huge challenge. I did not know what to say or how to say it, and I was always worried about messing up.
Thankfully, my supervisors were very supportive and my team was kind and helpful. They encouraged me to start small – asking short questions or helping with simple tasks.
Slowly, I got used to talking to people and before long, I was doing full interviews on my own.
Now, I can approach people more easily and have real conversations without feeling frozen or panicky.
For someone who used to avoid talking to others whenever possible, that was a big step. It is one of the things I am most proud of.
This new confidence has not just helped me at work; it also helped me feel more comfortable in everyday life.
Besides becoming more confident, I have also learned a lot about journalism.
Before this internship, I did not really understand what made something a news story. I thought it was just about writing what happened. But now I know there is a lot more to it.
I have learned how to find the right angle, ask better questions, and write in a way that is clear and fair.
I have also learned how important it is to check facts and be honest in reporting.
One of the most helpful parts of this internship was getting feedback from my editors. They did not just point out what needed fixing – they also explained why.
That helped me grow as a writer and made me think more carefully about how I told a story.
I feel like my writing has improved a lot and I have started to find my own voice as a reporter.
This internship has helped me in more ways than I expected.
I have learned new skills that will help me in my career and I have grown as a person too. I feel more prepared now to take on challenges, both in journalism and in life.
I am really thankful for this experience, and I know it is something I will carry with me for a long time.
