I wasn’t sure what I was going to study when I got to Cal State Long Beach, but I knew it had to relate to photography. I started taking some art classes but I soon realized that art was not the direction I wanted to go in, so I looked into photojournalism. Right after I registered, my classes were dropped because of lack of enrollment. I wasn’t sure what to do next, but a few professors gave me the idea of taking photography courses at a community college and taking regular journalism courses at CSULB. Well, it was worth a shot.
I remember walking into the Daily Forty-Niner and talking to the then city editor, Sonya Smith, who later became the editor in chief, about taking pictures. She was excited and encouraged me to get involved.
I am glad she did because that began the career that I have today. Once I got started I knew I was getting into a job field that doesn’t pay well, but I knew it was something that I loved to do. For me, that is what really mattered.
My college career was a little different than most students because I am a student not attending a university directly after high school. I am married with two kids and have another on the way. I took a few classes each semester and worked as a photographer and photo editor for the Daily Forty-Niner. For those who really get involved in the extracurricular activities college has to offer, doors can start to open for you.
I got to cover some amazing stories while working for the Daily Forty-Niner. One summer I got to cover the plane crash in Seal Beach and the next summer our adviser, Barbara Kingsley, took me and a fabulous writer Starr T. Balmer to cover the Laguna Beach landslides.
One assignment I did that really was important for me was flying to Kentucky to cover the story of the new president, F. King Alexander. I was afraid to fly, first of all, and we had to transfer three flights on the way there.
The last plane was a little prop plane that flew very low and reporter Joseph Serna pointed out the clouds coming in around his window. I got over my fear of flying somewhat and enjoyed the opportunity. I also got to really know the new president and although we tried to find everything out about him, good and bad, it was really hard to find anyone who had anything bad to say about this man.
We really wanted to present the full story of who this guy was and I have to say, we are lucky at CSULB to have the greatest president a school can offer. I really admire who he is and though we may not always agree with things Alexander does, I know he really has the students’ best interests at heart.
After a few semesters at the paper I got the opportunity to apply for an internship at the Long Beach Press-Telegram. I had to think for a minute because I was working as the photo editor, taking care of two kids and, along with other classes, taking Mulligan’s Media Law class (a very valuable class that taught me so much that I need for today). I took the internship and worked my butt off.
All the photographers at the Press-Telegram were great and very helpful. I could go on about the things I learned from them, but that would be another story. This opportunity that came to me through the Forty-Niner got me out there to see what it really was that I wanted to do and to this day I am still a freelancer with the Press-Telegram. Almost two years later, I still get excited to see my pictures in the paper the next day.
I can’t believe that my time at CSULB is over and that I will finally walk across that stage as the first one in my family to ever graduate with a college degree.
I can’t thank the journalism department enough for the opportunities it has given me and the knowledge that will help me with what I do later on in life. I know if I have a serious question concerning a legal matter, I can come in to see professor William Mulligan for his great advice. Department Chairman Bill Babcock has always been there if I needed anything and I really appreciate all his support.
One teacher that I will really miss is former professor Aguilar, who was only with us for a short time but taught me so many skills that have really benefited me as a photographer. His departure was a great loss to the department and I want him to know that he has really influenced my work for the better.
Lastly, I just want to thank everyone who has supported me through my college experience, especially my husband Julio, who always pushed me to reach higher and allowed me the time to get the most out of this experience.
Tracey Roman is a graduating senior journalism major and the former photo editor of the Daily Forty-Niner.
