My Time At The Tribune

On Wednesdays mornings, I'm in school working my way to my career. When the bell rings at 2:45 p.m., I'm off to work at the Chicago Tribune offices in the Loop. 

This is my place of business. Writing is what I live to do.  

The rocking of the train as I'm on my way to success makes me shake in my Nike's. The cool breeze that hits me as I walk in the door to sign in at the security desk makes me feel like I'm working for the President.
 

Many journalists here are on important business calls when I walk through the door of the newsroom. They are too busy to know who I am. Perhaps, I am nameless young girl. 

Still, I get excited by the dust left behind from my pencil and by hearing the nonstop tapping on keyboards. I know I'm destined to be great.

Out on Michigan Avenue, when I finally get to conduct an interview, I feel like the new kid at school. It doesn't always feel right to talk to strangers just to get the bleeding right of a "just good enough" story. 

My path to success is already set because the Chicago Tribune keeps putting me in check.

Henry Jamerson, a Chicago Biker

Henry Jamerson, 25, moved from North Carolina to Chicago while in the process of looking for work.

"I work as a biker.  Now I'm waiting for a delivery," Jamerson said on Michigan Avenue near the Chicago River.

A lot of danger goes into his job: there is risk of "running red lights, getting hit by a car, and I could ride so fast and fall off," Jamerson said.

For example, Jamerson said he was on his way to deliver a package when he, "slipped off of my bike and suffered a cut on my arm."

On another occasion, he got into an accident with a police officer: "He tried to use his powers to make it seem like (the accident) was my fault," Jamerson said.

Accidents are not his only worry. "Time and weather can be an issue," Jamerson said.

"I really enjoy my job but at times it can be stressful," he said

The Doorman of a LIFE TIME!

Hussian Almosawy moved from Baghdad, Iraq, to Chicago in 1993.

He was running away from a man named Sudan, who wanted him to fight in the war.

"I love Chicago," Almosawy said.

Almosawy said he doesn't like the things that are going on in his home country.

"Osama (bin Laden) needed to be gone. What he has done wasn't presenting me as I am. Islam is about peace and love in the world," Almosawy said.

Being the doorman at a local hotel, Almosawy said he gets to meet a lot of interesting people from many different countries.

"I like my job," Almosawy said.