The Northern Sentry is searching for new reporters, but what does it truly mean to be a reporter for the Northern Sentry?

When I first saw the advertisement looking for reporters in the fall of 2024, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I had no prior experience in journalism, but the opportunity immediately caught my attention. I knew I enjoyed writing, and I genuinely liked interacting with people and hearing their stories. At the time, we had been stationed at Minot Air Force Base for about a year and a half, had finished my master’s degree just six months earlier, and felt like I was searching for something more. I realized I needed to do something for me, something that would disconnect me from my “regular” full time job and allow me to focus on the good happening in Minot and within the base community.

Applying for the reporter position felt like stepping outside my comfort zone, but it turned out to be one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made.

Being a reporter with the Northern Sentry has given me the opportunity to become part of the Minot AFB community in a way I never experienced before. The newspaper exists to inform people about what is happening on base and within the greater Minot community, but it also serves a much bigger purpose. It brings people together through storytelling and highlights the individuals who make this community thrive.

One of my favorite parts of the job is highlighting military members and military spouses who are doing amazing things, both in uniform and outside of it. There are so many people here doing meaningful work that often goes unnoticed. Many individuals come to Minot knowing it may not have been their first-choice assignment, but they choose to make the best of it anyway. They build connections, volunteer, create opportunities, and support one another. I love being able to show that side of Minot AFB and remind people that there is so much to be proud of here.

Journalism has also given me something I didn’t realize I was missing: the chance to understand people’s “why.” In previous jobs, I rarely had the opportunity to learn what motivated people or what inspired them to do what they do. As a reporter, I get to ask questions, listen carefully, and learn what drives individuals. I get to hear their stories, understand their purpose, and then share that with others. That human connection has been one of the most meaningful parts of this role.

The Northern Sentry has also allowed me to go places and experience things I never would have on my own. I’ve traveled into the middle of the woods to observe how military members train for their mission. I’ve attended large-scale events like the North Dakota State Fair as press, along with other community events and concerts. Being a reporter provides access not just to the news, but to moments and experiences that help tell the full story of life at Minot AFB.

Beyond the experiences themselves, being a reporter has helped me grow both personally and professionally. It has given me a creative outlet separate from my regular job and a chance to focus on the positive stories unfolding around me. I’ve developed stronger communication skills, learned how to ask better questions, and gained confidence in telling stories that matter.

Being a reporter for the Northern Sentry isn’t just about writing articles, it’s about listening, learning, and giving a voice to the people who make this community what it is. For anyone who enjoys writing, meeting new people, and wanting to focus on the good in Minot, this role offers an incredible opportunity. For me, the Northern Sentry has been more than a newspaper; it has been a way to find purpose, connection, and meaning through storytelling.

If you are interested in writing for a newspaper that serves the Minot community, military members, and their families, please reach out to the Northern Sentry via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NorthernSentry or by emailing the NS Editor, Erin Beene, at Erin.beene@willowtreemarketing.com. Whether you have prior journalism experience or are simply passionate about writing and sharing meaningful stories, there is an opportunity to make a difference through the Northern Sentry.