In the different fields of work you can go into, journalism has much to offer. You can write about anything you want and you get the opportunity to meet all sorts of people. Depending on what you write about, you may be able to travel around and come back with some interesting stories. Recently, I got the chance to sit down and listen to Phil Gianficaro, Ashley Williams, and Shane Fitzgerald, three journalists who work around the Bucks County area. They all had a story to tell us but the one that really touched me was Phil Gianficaro.

Phil Gianficaro began his newspaper career in 1979 at a small weekly paper in his hometown. While he did this he was working on his journalism major at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre. Phil told us about his experiences with journalism and the people that he got the chance to meet through the years. The stories he had to tell us were inspirational, to say the least. He spoke about some of the Holocaust survivors whom he spoke with and what their stories were. He also wrote an article about the Bill Cosby case and he told us how he got the opportunity to sit down and speak to the women about their experiences.

All the stories that Phil told us were upsetting but gave a sense of hope in a world that can be so cold. He told us about a woman he spoke to whose child died. She told Phil that she was finally at peace and she found faith through her experience. Following that story, he told us “Even in the worst times where you may hate God you still need him to get through it.” This quote left me with a hopeful feeling and I thought it spoke volumes on what Phil does. Every day he hears things that could really take a toll on others but he tries to find faith in the stories he hears.

When listening to Phil, you could tell he has this passion for people and you can see that he is passionate about the stories he writes. Another story that made me think of him this way was when he spoke about the high school football game that he was reporting on. It was a big game and the one team’s quarterback made a mistake that messed up the game. Instead of Phil writing about the mistake, he wrote about the quarterback and why he would choose him for the game of Life. Years after writing that article, the quarterback ran into Phil at a bar. He pulled out the article from his wallet and explained that he went through a lot during the years but when he reads the article it helps him through. Phil told us that “You have no idea what your stories can do for people.” This story really showed the power of journalism and how much of an impact it can have on a person even if you don’t think it will.

Phil concluded his stories by telling us that “all we have in this career is our reputation and once that’s gone we are done.” That is why it is important to make connections with people and talk about those sensitive topics. He also told us that “You have to go into this career with a passion.” This is the same passion that I could see in him when he spoke about his experiences. The reason I thought Phil’s stories were most inspirational is that he captures people’s best qualities rather than the pain and suffering that they may have gone through. Phil brings light through his articles for those who have gone through dark times. He asks hard questions while also showing compassion. His stories were inspiring and created hope. Phil is a compassionate journalist and his stories will be cherished for years to come.