If you’re like me, then you know the confusion of being a young adult, and if you’re not at this age, I’m sure you remember.

There’s this drive to experience life and the need to start planning your life all rolled into one. Sometimes, life can provide the opportunity for something that is both experience and planning.

Currently, I am a Crowder College student and will graduate with an Associates in General Studies in December 2023. With no clear path after graduation, I am determined to spend this summer finally answering what everyone around me is asking, “What’s your plans for the future?”

In order to get an idea of what I want to do after graduation I am setting up multiple job shadowing opportunities in areas of work in which I am interested.

Step one in this process took me to the Cassville Democrat. From May 29 through June 2 of 2023, I job shadowed the Cassville Democrat employees. Through observations, I learned about journalism, photography, marketing, online design — and myself. I spent three out of five days watching Owner and Publisher Kyle Troutman. The first day was spent designing the advertisement page, and Kyle answered my questions about the job.

That initial day was discouraging because I lack the skills and interest for online design; however, Kyle had years worth of experience so I wanted to come back and learn more.

I am glad I did because every day was an improvement!

On the second day, I observed Owner and General Manager Jordan Troutman, where I watched her edit legals, edit obituaries and put together the “Through the Years” section. Editing had been my primary interest, so this was what I had been looking to do.

Day three was focused on watching Kyle manage the paper’s website and social media accounts.

Day four was filled with my initial ideas of journalism: in-person interviews, writing articles, and traveling to events to take pictures.

The final day, I spent the morning taking photos for the Sunshine Coffee House article before traveling with Shelia, the sales executive, to pitch advertisement spots to businesses. I wrapped my last day up with an in-person interview with the new Jenkins Rock Quarry owners (which Kyle said will run in a week or two because of how much news he had already).

Mainly, the point of job shadowing is to observe an individual at their job to gain an understanding of their career. I had no intention of learning about myself, but it was a consequence of my decision.

After spending a week at the Democrat, I learned that I am too social of a person to have an office job but still too introverted to persuade others in a fast-paced sales position.

Plus, I now know that being an editor for a newspaper is as much about the article’s look as its content. One of the biggest things I learned was that newspaper writing needs to be easy to read so it should be concise. I tend to write using more formal word and format choices that do not work with those characteristics.

The point of me sharing this experience is to encourage young adults and anyone who feels overwhelmed by the endless possibilities for work to job shadow.

You learn about a career in tandem with yourself and being able to know one’s strengths and weaknesses can guide us to make choices that benefit our overall life.

I have been positively impacted by my experience at the Cassville Democrat. It is for that reason I want to end this commentary by thanking the Cassville Democrat

staff for allowing me to gain knowledge about an array of careers.

Lastly, thank you to Kyle and Jordan Troutman for allowing me the opportunity to grow as a person and for their hospitality!.

Jazmin Carroll is a 2021 Cassville High School graduate and student at Crowder College.