If I had to pick one word to describe my spring break, I would have to go with gratitude.

In December, when I was selected as one of six Murrow College students to cover MLB Spring Training down in Arizona, I was equally excited and nervous. I knew this would be a fantastic opportunity to strengthen my journalistic abilities, but I couldn’t have predicted how profound of an impact this experience would leave on me.

Looking back, I can say with certainty that this was the trip of a lifetime.

Led by Murrow professor Wendy Raney, my five incredibly talented peers and I visited the Angels, the Athletics, the Rockies and the Mariners between March 8 and 11. I spoke with managers, players and team personnel, conversations that ranged from interviews to casual chats on their respective careers.

Each day was its own adventure. We were granted clubhouse access to several of the teams and worked in some of their press boxes. I learned so much about the positions within the teams’ media crews and what their day-to-day looks like.

I interviewed some of the teams’ top prospects for various stories and had a lovely one-on-one with the voice of my hometown Seattle Mariners, Rick Rizzs (who is one of the kindest people ever, by the way). 

My personal highlight was when I was invited to sit in on Scott Servais’ morning meeting when we were with the Mariners. The meeting was held in his office, with five other journalists. It was fascinating to see first-hand the kind of relationships teams maintain with the media.

Every day, I was inspired by my fellow students. They each worked incredibly hard and produced some amazing stories. I learned so much from them and felt motivated by their work ethic and quality.

My experience was made unique by another factor: I was the only female reporter on our crew.

I can count the number of women we met on this trip on one hand. The percentage of women working in professional sports is small, and the number of female sports journalists is even smaller.

Rather than dissuade me from this career path, however, I feel more encouraged than ever. That’s not to say it wasn’t scary; there were times — in the teams’ clubhouses, particularly — when part of me felt out of place. But I was chosen to be there for a reason. There are stories I am most suited to and deserve to tell. Diversity is a vital element of any newsroom, and though it can be frightening, I am determined to become the representation I wish to see.

I learned a lot about myself as a journalist on this trip. I better understand my strengths and weaknesses. I pushed myself wildly out of my comfort zone and became better for it, which I’m incredibly proud of.

I am so, so grateful for this experience. I owe it all to Murrow — to my incredible professors, mentors and peers who continually push me to improve my work and encourage me to become a better communicator.