An Arapahoe Community College (ACC) student, Lex, navigates the bustling life of their first semester, balancing coursework and ambitions with a desire to build empathy and inform others through a career in journalism.
Lex, 18, grew up in Lakewood before moving to Castle Rock, and is now “still getting the bearings of student life.”
When asked why they chose journalism, Lex said they want to address people’s problems, spread awareness, and inform the public, adding, “I like to tell people stories.”
For a typical ACC student, Lex notes, a day consists of a “consistent schedule, different classes in different campuses.” Their biggest challenge is gaining experience.
After graduating, Lex wants to acquire skills such as better interaction with the world and improved conversational skills. Lex believes they’ll be good at journalism, citing their ability to “see past biases and build
connection with people.”
“That is a big part of journalism, it’s about sharing people’s views and experiences, not convincing them in new ones,” said Lex.
In five years, Lex hopes to be working as a news reporter, starting as an intern to gain experience for their long-term goal of creating their own news network.
“My goal is to build a news outlet that prioritizes public service over catering to specific agendas.”
Lex’s journey at ACC is a step towards a larger college experience, as they plan to transfer to the University of Denver, where many of their friends attend.
The current campus culture at ACC, according to Lex, seems “very lively, very inclusive” and feels like there is a community, somewhere people are able to easily interact with the college environment around them.
As the interview with Lex reveals, the typical ACC student’s journey is one of ambition and transition. Balancing a structured academic day with an inclusive campus environment, Lex is eager to build experience, see past biases, and prioritize public service in their future career.
While ACC is a temporary stop before transferring, it is clearly a valuable first step in Lex’s larger aspiration to inform and empathize with the world through journalism, leaving a strong impression of a driven and thoughtful person.
