It’s been just more than six months since I started working at The News.

I’ve learned a lot in that time and continue to learn something new every day, especially in the world of journalism.

Both in and out of the office, I’m taking in all things new to me and often seeing familiar things in new lights.

Being that this is my first post-graduation, career-starting job, I’m learning more about what it means to be in the “real world.”

It puts you in your place rather quickly.

The extra free time of school vacations and time outside of the classroom were taken for granted, unfortunately.

Now, I work a minimum of 40 hours a week and am put under new stress daily.

I’ve always thought I worked well under pressure, but sometimes it’s all-consuming.

I’m only beginning to learn the pressure of journalism and everything that comes with it, like daily deadlines.

I appreciate deadlines. They help me stay organized, which in turn keeps me sane. When I have something to work toward and I know what’s expected of me at that time, I better understand the assignment as well as my limits.

But a lot of other tension comes with journalism, aside from deadlines creeping in.

One thing I’m learning rather quickly is how to handle community feedback, which can be a lot to take in sometimes.

When I come to work every day, there are only 15 or so people in the building, yet the paper is sent out to thousands. Sometimes, I have a hard time computing that. Our supportive, small-ish team makes me forget how large of an audience we have, and how expressive they can be.

I try to avoid the comment sections of The News’ Facebook posts, but, sometimes, I find myself knee-deep in the ridicule and arguments.

It’s one of the hardest parts of what we do. What some people admire, others might detest. It’s impossible to please everyone. And, when we make a mistake or someone disagrees with our work, it is often well-known and well-expressed.

That, in turn, makes being human very difficult.

As humans, we make errors. When most people make a mistake at work, they might simply have a conversation with the boss. But, in journalism, it’s out there for everyone to see.

I like constructive criticism when said in a supportive manner, and I appreciate the occasional emails with helpful tips and kind recognition of mistakes that we at The News can then work to correct.

However, I dislike the comments and emails telling me I should fire myself, essentially.

But it’s all part of the journalism stress and status, I suppose.

In the newsroom, we’re also faced with new challenges every day.

Breaking news will make us drop everything we’re doing to get to a scene, report what’s happening, and get it online for the community to know more as soon as we can. We work hard to be a source people go to when they want to know what’s happening around them.

The disruptive workflow isn’t easy, though, as those deadlines are still right around the corner.

But, despite all the struggles, I’m well aware it is what we signed up for.

And don’t get me wrong. I love my job, sincerely. I think I even feed off of the stress, which is quite odd, in theory, but still true.

Every day is something new, and, though that can mean it’s stressful, it’s also a massive learning opportunity. And I truly enjoy learning. Each day, I grow my mind and, in turn, I think it makes me a better writer, editor, and even a better person, sometimes.

Looking back at the past six months, I’m so grateful for everything The News has done for me and the way it helps me continue to grow.

Through that all-consuming stress, I find ways to overcome — or at least I try my best to.

Journalism can be tough. It’s meant to keep the community informed and it’s meant to be accurate and it’s meant to be all that quickly, turning over stories and assignments as fast as our fingers can type. On a daily basis, we do our best to do just that.

And, though I’m still only beginning to learn the ins and outs of journalism and what comes with it, I still look forward to how it will contribute to my future, how I’ll grow in the field, and how I can continue to work hard to serve the community.

Torianna Marasco can be reached at 989-358-5686 or tmarasco@TheAlpenaNews.com.