Covering RNC Boosts Journalism Senior’s Confidence

In July 2024, Ashleigh Lucas was one of four Innovation News Center student journalists who travelled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to cover the Republican Nation Convention for WUFT. 

By Ashleigh Lucas, Journalism Senior

If you had told me four years ago, even in the midst of last summer, that I would be covering the 2024 Republican National Convention (RNC) as a young journalist — let alone a college student — I would have gasped dramatically and said, “I don’t think I’m good enough for that, yet.”

After covering the RNC in July for the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications’ (UFCJC) Innovation News Center, I discovered that my professional journalism experience at the College prepared me for covering even the most high-profile news events.

I think there are a lot of student journalists and early-career professionals who struggle with imposter syndrome. Who feel that they’ll never be good enough to amount to some of their favorite reporters in the business. The cutthroat nature of journalism often brings with it a nagging voice in the back of your head saying, “You’ll never be good enough.”

With competition comes insecurity, and I was as insecure as they come.

I feel a need to constantly prove myself to others. How I viewed my work always mattered, but never as much as how others viewed my blood, sweat and tears. The Republican National Convention was no different. I was among some of the greatest photographers, writers, TV personalities and radio stars in the world. I was spending 18-hour days pushing myself to produce the best content possible.

My dad always told me that if you’re the smartest person in the room, you need to go find another room. He didn’t tell me, however, that being the most inexperienced person in the room subsequences major anxiety.

I went into every day ready as a reporter and photographer to cover what the North Central Florida audience needed to know. In conjunction with the three other students on this trip, I think we successfully achieved that. It was a difficult, anxiety-provoking journey to get to day four, but the end result was well beyond my expectations.

I was the only UF student who was on the floor for the convention. Sandwiched between photographers from Reuters, the Associated Press, the New York Times and many other major news organizations, as a 5’10” woman, I felt small, but persevered.

I learned on the last day of the trip after speaking to a photographer named Liz from Reuters, that being a student journalist among some of the best professionals in the world is something to be proud of, not scared of. I had the opportunity to stand within ten feet of the former President of the United States, talk with politicians from all across the country and interview the voices that impact the North Central Florida audience the most.

I fangirled over seeing NBC Nightly News Host Lester Holt on the floor and got excited when another photographer told me they loved my work. I learned how to think on my feet and how to push my nerves down to get the interview my story needed. I learned not to wear heels even if they go with my outfit because they will give you the worst blisters — something I forget every time I choose cute over comfort.

I learned that other student journalists may sometimes be competition, but they’re also support systems for overwhelming, first-time experiences like these.

|Click here to view stories and photo galleries from Ashleigh Lucas.|

Imposter syndrome is never something that truly goes away. Some nervous energy pushes you to be better than you ever thought you could be, that’s why you need it. I didn’t think that I was good enough for this, but I proved that I was.

I hit the ground running, told myself to do my best and constantly reminded myself that this was a peak journalism moment. It made me so grateful for UFCJC because it made me hungry.

I told myself that if I could make it on this national stage at 21 years old, barely a college senior, I would make it back and do better. I want to continue growing, I want to continue learning and journalism is beautiful because it’s always changing. I chose journalism because it allowed me to learn something new every day, and I love being the informer to the uninformed. This experience taught me skills I’ll continue to use long into my career, where embracing the anxiety actually led to the best results.

I am good enough. Covering the Republican National Convention showed me that. I’m learning, I’m growing, and that’s a wonderful thing. I can’t thank UFCJC enough for that.

Posted: August 5, 2024
Category: 2024 Convention Experiences, College News
Tagged as: Ashleigh Lucas, Republican National Convention, RNC