Getting a hold of people to interview is tough

It’s my third week in features and the problem I have faced this past week has been getting hold of people. It is another challenge and struggle of being a journalist.

It was a pressure week in the office, but despite this I was actively coming up with ideas to write stories about. My ideas rushed into my head and that is what is keeping me going.

I am also beginning to feel that I can fit into the features section and that as a journalist I can be in between sports and features, but right now that is the least of my worries.

An assignment I was working on has not been easy, I was looking for a “My UAE” or a cover story lead but the one story I thought I had became difficult. It was hard contacting the subject as she had a busy schedule, so reaching her for more quotes proved unsuccessful. I found this disappointing as I thought this story was essential for me this week.

Emiratis are usually easy to contact and deal with, usually they feel more safe around other Emiratis. However in my case it was the opposite. It made me feel that I hadn’t done my job, but this stuff happens and eventually I know things will get better.

So I kept the story on hold, and moved onto another topic, as my mentor Mel suggested that I write something for the Arts & Life "What We Love" section. It was great practice for me to keep on getting myself used to writing more. I hope this training enhances my writing skills and features is a great department for doing that. I am keen to learn more and Mel has been great and we have bonded like a team, and I know that we can keep on working together to produce our best.

Everyday we find new challenges — my challenges in news were different than sports and sports is also different to features. I have realised that some stories don’t always progress, it doesn’t mean it is the end of the world, to me it is a lesson.

For this reason, I refuse to feel stressed that I can’t do it, especially because my goal is to prove myself as a Emirati female who can push herself to the limit. I also feel it is my duty to prove myself and encourage other girls to strive for what they want to do in life, not necessarily enter the world of journalism but to enter a world filled with positive opportunities for them.

Hopefully, this week I will have better luck with getting a hold of people.