Choosing journalism? Think again.

For me, leading a team of talented, 21st-century journalists takes me waaay back—to 2001. I was still getting accustomed to my new digs in Kalamazoo, Mich., (we'd just relocated there, in the dead of winter, from my native Georgia) when I was invited to the Center for Creative Leadership for an intense week of executive development. 

I didn't know then what I know now about the importance of talent acquisition and development, budget management and resource allocation protocols, or even the difficult balance between taking risks while staying true to the calling of daily journalism.

Looking back though, it's clear that I was being prepared for this day—this incredibly exciting and sometimes turbulent time in our industry—where the many ways in which we capture and convey information, deliver a range of editorial products, and pursue new models of community outreach and business collaborations are changing. Every. Single. Day.

At heart, those of us who say we signed up for this line of work know better.

Journalism chooses us—to tell stories, to show powerful images, to give voice to our passions, and share insightful information, sometimes hard to get and even harder to convey. It's a great job, sure, but the truth of the matter is it's a privilege.

Yes, it's a tough time to be a journalist—but there's never been a better time to live to tell the story.