THE REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK ________. _ .__.__ ______
Editor’s note: Kelly Tran is the new generalassignment reporter at the Taylor Press. She was asked to pen a column reflecting her views after being on the job a month.
I visited Taylor for the first time almost two months ago to interview for this job.
Honestly, I didn’t know much about the city before then, and I don’t think I would have had the chance to see what it was about if I hadn’t come across this position.
Having just graduated from college in 2023, I was on LinkedIn constantly, trying to find my first full-time, “big girl” job.
Keywords such as “recent college grad” and “journalism jobs” were featured in my searches, so my feed brought me a post from a Texas journalism professor who shared a job opportunity at the Taylor Press with (former) editor Jason Hennington.
Right then, my first connection to the city was made.
I landed an interview and then a job offer. I knew I couldn’t pass
it up. Job opportunities that match the skills and experiences I gained as a student don’t come often in this field, and local publications are great places to kickstart and grow a career.
Who knew one social-media post could lead me to where I am today?
Now, I’m one month in as the Press’ generalassignment reporter.
Just like how my first gig writing for the student paper taught me about my college town in North Texas, an area I had never been to before attending school there, my role has allowed me to get to know Taylor — from the annual barbecue cook-off to the Taylor Ducks to horses and the Williamson County Expo Center.
Learning about a community through reporting has always been an enjoyable part of the job for me, and as my time here goes on, I know there will be more to discover.
Taylor is up and coming, and I have seen the strong sense of pride its residents have.
I hope to make the community that has welcomed me with kind arms proud by doing my best to share its stories through my craft.
To reach Tran with a news tip or story idea, call 512-352-8535 or email kelly.tran@taylor press.net.
