It is never too late to begin again. It might even take you around the globe.

This summer, I received an invitation from CNN Academy to participate in an immersive newsroom simulation this December. I will be one of 24 students from the University of Florida, Georgia Tech and Howard University who will gather in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and will be among 160 students from around the world to participate in a week-long global crisis simulation. The exercise will be focused on investigative reporting and the role of artificial intelligence in the newsroom.

In preparation for the experience in the Middle East in December, I was dispatched to CNN Headquarters in Atlanta this October to prepare for the experience. Until this point in my college career, communication with my classmates was limited. Aside from a few Zoom calls, I rarely had the chance to hear another human’s voice. I had the uneasy feeling of apprehension and anxiety, courtesy of my debilitating imposter syndrome. I was about to spend an entire week working alongside students who weren’t old enough to rent a car, some too young to buy a beer. Frankly, I was petrified. 

When I first met my classmates in Atlanta, I was taken aback to see how young some of these students were; they were simply children in suits. However, recognizing that these students were impressive took no time. In front of me stood the future of journalism: anchors, producers, reporters – these “children” were the best of the best. Rapidly, my anxiety transformed into intimidation. Thanks again, imposter syndrome.

One of the advantages of returning to school as an older student is my unique perspective. I understand that the college experience is a fleeting moment, so I consciously tried to fully immerse myself, including collaborating with my Gen Z classmates. Fortunately, we shared a common language — journalism. 

Choosing to be vulnerable can lead to extraordinary experiences. It was during this time that I truly felt like a college student. Each morning, we would walk together as a group. The pathway to CNN Headquarters cut through the heart of Georgia Tech University. Everything I had imagined about the college experience was happening in these quad-walks. Students cruising by in scooters, a spirited game of ultimate frisbee, and yes, there was a hackey-sack circle. Along the way, we discussed our shared courses and career goals. We swapped stories and gossiped about dating, a friendly reminder of my gratitude to be married.

Before returning to school, I used to introduce myself as an “automotive management professional” - a fancy way of saying I sold tires. My father was a mechanic, and I think I got into the business to be closer to him. When he fell ill in 2014, he spoke much about regret. His words had a profound impact on me. Ten years later, I think I am finally beginning to understand this may have been his greatest lesson. I left my job, and together with my wife, we went on a 3,000-mile bicycle tour from California to Washington state. That summer, I kept a blog about our travels. I had never written a blog before. Heck, I never received higher than a "C" on an essay in my life. I know it’s cliché, but it became my creative outlet. I wouldn’t go as far as to say the blog took off, but some of my literary-competent friends enjoyed my work. That slight boost in confidence gave me the courage to return to school to pursue my associate’s degree.

When I arrived in Port Townsend in January, I did not know what my future would bring. I had just completed community college and was accepted into the top journalism program in the country at the University of Florida. Up to this moment, my entire education had been online. I had yet to write a news story or take a reporting course, and I had never seen the inside of a newsroom.

I approached The Leader in February with the idea of implementing an internship program. Maybe it was my Oscar-worthy bravado, or perhaps they simply needed a warm body to hold a pen, but they took a chance on me. Throughout the summer, I had the privilege to discover the pulse of this town and become a member of this community. I was free to explore, investigate and discover what makes this community tick. I have brushed shoulders with city leaders, ruffled feathers with city officials and learned more than I could care to know regarding roundabouts. The stories I wrote for The Leader are why I was chosen for this opportunity. If not for the newspaper and this community with so many great tales waiting to be told, this 40-year-old senior would have missed his chance to have the college experience.