I remember this about high school graduation: I rejoiced. Family and friends contributed to my delight, showering me with black and gold balloons, layers of flower and ribbon leis, “congratulations” and gift cards. Plenty of hugs and kisses went around. But the best part of graduating was seeing everyone I knew in attendance. They cared enough to celebrate my moment of achievement.

This evening I visited my high school for an old friend’s graduation ceremony. It brought back bittersweet memories of my graduation four years ago. It also stirred up memories of past failures: popular groups I never took part in, a weak academic record and poor standardized test scores. Memories of my less-than-stellar performance—a result of poor attitude and lack of guidance. I had no college or career plans and I barely graduated with a degree. But I was ready to take on the real world. Or at least that’s what everyone told me. I looked forward to my future, because there was no looking back.

As I walked into the newsroom of The Honolulu Advertiser last Friday for a visit, memories of a high school class trip flooded my mind. Five years ago, I toured the facility to learn about possible career options. But “reporter” was a path I’d never heard much about. “Doctor,” “lawyer,” and “engineer” were often mentioned by relatives, who insisted I pursue them. But I wanted to keep my mind open to other possibilities. I strolled through the office picking up the aroma of coffee, listening to telephones ring and looking at glowing computer screens. I recall thinking as a high school student that I could never work in such a stressful environment, cooped up in a cubicle, staring at a computer screen all day long.

How would I have known my fate? That I’ve become addicted to freshly-brewed coffee and its stimulating aroma. That I always have my cell phone nearby in case interview subjects return my calls or pose questions about an article. That I’m constantly on my laptop and haven’t gone a day without checking e-mail and news sites. That I chose to pursue reporting out of passion and the belief that I could provide a voice for my community, not for the salary level or what others suggested I do. In spite of stiff competition and uncertainty about finding work after graduation, I decided that as long as I dedicated enough time and effort into my work, employers would eventually notice.

And they have—I begin my internship tomorrow. I’ll be working with journalists who share similar beliefs with me—a duty to tell the stories of their communities. The thought of working alongside news professionals who have been in the business for decades is exciting. I’ll learn from them and improve my craft. I’ll attend news meetings, pitch story ideas and pursue them. Although I may not see my byline in print while working online for the first five weeks, I’ll gain valuable experience in website development. Then I’ll rotate to the city desk, and literally chase down stories while tackling daily deadlines.

I am overcome with a mixture of emotions. I am eager to plunge into reporting and I am excited about the infinite story possibilities. But nervousness consumes me, because I can’t predict the future. It’s the same feelings I had when I moved away for college: joy, uncertainty, and fear.

But I realize it’s a different situation. I grew up in Honolulu, so I know the environment well. I can navigate the Hawaiian roads in my car, and use the knowledge I gained as a former city taxi dispatcher to my advantage. I call Hawaii my home and the people here my “ohana,” or family. I can speak rapid-fire pidgin and Cantonese and can relate to the locals, the people of Chinatown. I won’t be afraid to ask them tough questions and document their lives. I’ll collect information, gather quotes and combine them to form articles. I’ll capture nighttime events on camera using the lighting techniques I learned in my photojournalism class. I’ll do some investigative work and create stories of public interest using computer-assisted reporting. I’ll put in a lot of time and effort into the work I produce during my 10 weeks at The Honolulu Advertiser.

I’ll take a week off from my internship in August, for a second one with the Asian American Journalists Association. I’ll fly to Miami, Fla., to cover the organization’s four-day national convention with 23 other students, while being supervised and mentored by journalists from The San Francisco Chronicle, The Washington Post and others. I’ll produce multimedia stories on Asian American issues, the journalism industry and Miami-related features, and present them to recruiters and editors from news networks across the nation.

I never imagined I’d spend my summer immersed in the world of journalism.

Looking back, I have no regrets. I am thankful for the experiences that have transformed me into the person I am today. I am no longer tense around people. I muster the courage to approach strangers and interview them instead. I gained confidence in my academic and professional abilities after overcoming laziness and fear. I have a clear picture of my goals and aspirations—a big change from five years ago. I am excited about the opportunities now and yet to come.

But there were times when I didn’t believe in myself, and when friends and family reinforced those beliefs, my self-esteem tumbled. Yet, despite my own lack of faith, there were many other times when teachers, friends and even strangers stood by and helped me develop self-confidence.

My best advice is to surround yourself with people who are positive influences in your life. Mirror them. Like I did my voice instructor Lina, whose passion for music was contagious; she inspired me to search for and pursue my passion. Don’t be afraid to ask for guidance, and in some cases, ask if the person will be a mentor. I did that when I met Aldrich, a journalism-graduate-turned-professional reporter who I always counted on for advice about future journalistic endeavors. There are people who believe in your abilities and the possibility to achieve your full potential. Like my journalism instructor Dustin, who believed I’d make an excellent reporter. He continued to persuade me to join the newspaper staff even when I refused the offer more than a dozen times, until one day, I finally gave in. These people will continue to offer their support and encouragement when you don’t even believe in yourself. My mentors and role models Angie and Geoff always found time to listen and teach me everything to become a successful reporter. They also told me the truth about my work and provided feedback to grow. And I am thankful for many others who have supported me.

Documenting my transfer experience in this blog has been a worthwhile journey. ACT offered me the opportunity to find my “voice,” record my experiences, and share my story to help students with life’s transitions. I hope I’ve inspired at least one person who read my entries. I want to continue another blog for a news organization in the near future, so maybe this won’t be the last time you hear from me!

Although I can’t predict my future, I’ve worked hard to secure it. My two internships will test my ability to apply the experiences I’ve learned thus far to the real world. I survived high school and the transition from a two-year college to a four-year university, so I believe that I can conquer anything now.

I definitely can’t wait for tomorrow, because it officially marks my career as a reporter.