My first full-time gig

It's only been a few months since my last post, but we might as well agree: nobody is the person they were a few months ago.

I am now a full-time reporter producing content for weekly print papers and daily online engagement.

I have contacts who I email on the regular and deadlines that repeat themselves every week on my calendar. I write about government, nonprofits and schools, and I get feedback from my community.

In my first few months in the "real world," I've discovered that working as a full-time reporter during a pandemic is much like working as a full-time college student during a pandemic. For both, there is a lot of sitting in front of a computer typing away whilst talking myself out of another cup of coffee.

I am without a doubt one of the lucky ones.

There is no other way to put it. I am so beyond thankful that I get to do what I love during one of the most difficult years and economic situations we have faced. From behind a mask and in the midst of social distancing, I have been able to cover protests, school districts' return-to-school decisions and local community concerns. Some of my sources may still not know what the bottom half of my face looks like, but that hasn't impeded my ability to tell their stories.

Here are some of my favorite projects from the past couple of months:

I recently spoke to firefighters who organized a socially distanced hospital visit to a fellow firefighter who had recently undergone a life-changing situation. The visit involved using a ladder truck.

Last week, I got to talk to a high school band director who participated in composer Eric Whitacre's latest—and biggest yet—virtual choir project.

I talked to Frisco, Texas's only community food pantry about why their July food drive was "even more critical" now.

Finally, check out what this pastor means when he likens trying to control social distancing in church to "herding chickens," and why his church stayed closed.