Life
JuaRCGr
An alumna reminisces about her fond memories on the Courier
?Ct Conner Pre. 10, WTO
By ANAMARIA
GONZALEZ
Staff Writer
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The almost impossible lines at registration, the dreaded "class closed" message,
and those last three units that seem impossible to complete are common experiences
that most of us have or will go through.
Anissa Vicente Rivera, 29, a staff reporter
for Highlander Community Newspapers,
remembers her experience here fondly,
even though it did take her three years to
get her associates in arts degree in journalism.
In 1990 Rivera came to college hoping
to narrow her career choices down and
decide what she would dedicate her studies to. She began with general education
classes, and a beginning journalism
course. She discovered in that journalism
class something she loved and was good at
doing. She left the class and essentially
started her writing career.
That's when she began to write for the
college paper. As a staff writer, she was
forced to cover a wide variety of events.
She was most comfortable writing news
features, but she is thankful that she was
forced to write news stories and cover
sporting events "My writing became so
much stronger because of that," she said.
It was because of her dedication to the
Courier, and other activities that it took
her an extra year to complete her degree.
She served as editor-in-chief of the
Courier, a job that prepared her for her
current position. She does not regret the
extra year. "Everything I learned about the
field I'm in, I learned at PCC," she said.
She worked hard to improve her writing,
and when it came time to find a job, her
dedication was remembered and she had
no problem being recommended.
Rivera remembers the early mornings
and long nights up in the Courier office
working on the paper. "I never minded that
we worked so late, none of us did; it was
fun. It was something we loved to do."
While on campus, she was very active
in the Asian-
American and
Philippino Clubs.
Particpating on
campus was what
made her experience memorable.
She encourages
students to be
active and network. The girl in
history 25 that you
get along with so
wellmight be able
to recommend you
for a job one day,
and you might be
able to do the
same.
Rivera remembers the campus a little
differently than it is today. The library
was incomplete, and the parking structure
was not there yet. Parking was impossible
to find, she recalls, and she is convinced
that they purposely waited to complete the
PHOTO COURTESY OF ANISSA V1C6NT6 RIVERA
Rivera and her husband share a touching moment
parking structure until she left.
She enjoys her job as a feature writer
for the Highlander and plans to stay on
staff there. She is planning to go back to
school to complete her bachelor's degree
within the next year.
