I never really hung out with anybody, never dated, never went to parties or anything of that nature. A lot of my weekends were spent in front of my computer, talking to long-distance friends using Skype, playing text-based online adventure world games, making websites or messing around with web development or game programming, for example.

When I came to Central Michigan University, I was undecided, but I felt that what I really wanted to do was computer science. I then came to the harsh realization that much of the computer science major was comprised of mathematics courses, and math and I don’t see eye-to-eye.

In my sophomore year, I found myself gravitating toward journalism with an emphasis on public relations. I’ve always been the well-spoken, conversational, outgoing and extraverted type so having to approach and speak with individuals on a range of topics was never really an issue for me.

According May 2012 figures in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median annual wage for reporters and correspondents was $35,870. Unfortunately, employment of reporters, correspondents and broadcast news analysts has been projected to decline 13 percent from 2012 to 2022 because of newspapers shutting down or consolidating staff and declining advertising revenue.

Meanwhile, the median annual wage for applications software developers during that same month was $90,060, and the median annual wage for systems software developers was $99,000. For the same projected time period, employment in this area is expected to grow 22 percent.

Why am I still pursuing journalism?

There’s something deep within me that sparks and alights even to this day seeing my writing published. I grin like a little schoolboy knowing I am reaching thousands of regular, ordinary people from around the world who are attaining accurate information relevant to their lives.

When a source reaches out to you and thanks you for speaking with them and incorporating them into your story, you simply cannot put a price tag on how awesome that is. When someone passes me on the street or in a building on campus and says, “Hey Kevin! I read your article about this or that,” that feeling of great worth is compounded.

Sure, journalism comes with its negatives as well. Sometimes sources don’t get back to you and you’re close to deadline. Sometimes, although rarely, people wish to decline commenting. People will flat-out ignore you at other times. Close friends have poked fun at my career choice.

That’s OK: If the intrinsic motivation, spirit and drive to continue pursuing an rapidly evolving field aren’t enough, then I don’t know what is. I may not make a six-figure income or live in the nicest homes with astronomical square footage, but I just might get the inside scoop to expose crooked or unjust behavior, particularly in the public sector.

People deserve the truth in a concise and accurate representation. They deserve to know what’s going on, and I will absolutely do what I can to make sure that happens.