When I first became a college student, I had no idea what was in store for me. I didn’t even know what I wanted to major in. All my friends were really passionate about what field they decided to go into  and I never thought I would feel that way about any field.

I ended up majoring in business to start off my college career because it seemed like a safe bet at the time and my dad had majored in that back in his day.

After I started finishing up my basics and began getting into the core classes of business, I hit a bump in the road. I hated every day of school because every business class was my worst nightmare and I was lost in every way. I was practically a third-year freshman. I had taken this one math class three times and I hadn’t made any progress in the right steps to become successful.

That’s when I knew I had to make a change fast because if I was this miserable in the beginning stages of business, I could only imagine how much worse it would be later down the road when searching for my career.

I had to look at myself in the mirror and search deep down inside of me for what I really wanted to pursue and become in life.

After weeks of debating whether to switch my major two-and-a-half years into college, I decided to pursue a journalism career. I’ve always loved writing, finding stories in everything, and I could actually see myself being happy in journalism. That was big because I thought if I was truly happy doing what I love, then I would do anything to succeed and keep pushing myself toward my goals. I wanted to be good at something important so bad, so I bet on myself in the demanding field of journalism.

A couple of months into a new major, I wanted to test my skills out, not only in the classroom but in work that revolved around writing and putting stories together. Although I was beyond nervous because I had never worked at anything having to do with journalism, I applied at The Prospector after my now good friend Adrian Broaddus encouraged me to.

I had never been so ecstatic as soon as I found out The Prospector was taking a chance on me after a month of showing what I could do as a contributor. All I knew is that I wasn’t going to let anyone down from The Prospector because I wanted to be there so badly.

Working at The Prospector, I learned how to better my writing on the daily website. I also branched out from my comfort zone as I got the opportunity to work as a reporter for The Prospector for two years.

I learned how to interview people, cover events, take photos, edit papers and experience what it’s like to work in an actual publication for the very first time. I made connections with people in my field that I will carry forever, and I gained more confidence in my abilities to become the best journalist I can be just from working at The Prospector.

I still remember the first time I saw my name published on The Prospector’s newspaper. It was the best feeling in the world. Little did I know that I would be doing my dream job as a college student, covering UTEP sports and other events I never thought I would get the chance to be at, like covering the Final Four.

Best of all, I’ve never had so much fun and loving what I do than I have working for The Prospector.

I could never thank the staff enough for bringing me in and showing me everything there is to know about being a good journalist. I’ll always be in debt to The Prospector because when everything in my road seemed like it was going downhill, The Prospector lifted me up and made me believe in my future and most importantly, myself.

The Prospector gave me the best start to my journalism career and I could never be more thankful. There will always be a special place in my heart for all the lifelong friends and relationships I’ve built because of The Prospector.

You’ll be missed so much, Prospector staff.

Mike Flores may NOT be reached at [email protected]