Hardship of job doesn’t discourgage

here’s nothing worse than looking in an email inbox and noticing a number of messages from a class of high school students complaining about an issue that does not concern them.

At that moment, reality set in — this is the most difficult job a Contra Costa College student will ever endure.

Headaches, stress and late nights all come with being the editor-in-chief of The Advocate and yes, most would not be able to stand this much heat. However, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Dealing assignments, keeping 18 people on track and writing and editing for hours and hours all while being a full-time student is enough to drive Ghandi insane.

Breaking news, once viewed as a great story opportunity, now is more like a ladder at the top of the hill that is in the process of being climbed. Sources who used to love to talk now shy away when they see a steno pad and a pen in their faces.

It is funny how some faculty and staff members ridicule and express disapproval about the very same students they claim to be here to nurture.

But it could be worse — life could be free of stress and an education. Nerves could still fill my belly when approaching complete strangers and insight to the surrounding environment may still be a mystery.

I could still be doomed to a lackluster existence working as a manager, selling sporting goods, in a suit and tie for 14 bucks an hour listening to a boss who does nothing to command any respect.

Sitting at Governing Board meetings may be the most boring two or three hours one may have to withstand but it definitely beats wasting eight hours at a pointless job I could care less about.

Every week since mid-September there has been a point of difficulty that has almost claimed my editorship, but — the kid is still ticking.

Criticism is fuel — it lets me know I’m on the right track. Ridicule is welcomed. Without it this is boring and uneventful.

Although those aren’t the goals of a student newspaper, not being ridiculed and/or criticized means one of two things — the news being covered is not really news or the publication has failed to deliver to the people the pertinent issues a newsgroup should.

The student newspaper at CCC is the voice of the students. Other groups may claim to be that — but nice try. Advocate student reporters are the only ones who go out on a weekly basis to talk to, address and highlight the issues of other students.

There are times when quitting seems like bliss, and yes, maybe there comes a time or two when frustration takes over and my patience becomes thinner than a blade of grass.

But, there is no success without struggle and there is no pleasure without enduring a little bit of pain.

Everything worth anything has to be earned. If that’s the case, I will continue to struggle if it will lead to success.