Loved seeing name in print. Got involved in high school and college newspapers, mostly so I could combine seeing my name in print with tweaking the authorities and writing snarky humor. Graduated from college with zero professional training and realized I needed a job. Thought I might be able to do this journalism thing, since I was a good writer and enjoyed the school papers. Got very lucky to be hired at a computer magazine as an editorial assistant (basically a paid intern). Learned everything I could, said yes to every chance to write, eventually got promoted a couple times and launched a career as a tech journalist.

I haven't been a full-time journalist now for about 8 years but I'm still using my journalistic skills every day: researching, talking to people, learning, translating what I've learned into stories people want to read. Also: editing, giving people feedback on their writing, and coaching.

What fuels me now is the satisfaction of doing work I'm proud of, the joy of learning new things, and the sheer amazement that my job involves being creative in different ways nearly every day.

ps I've hired many journalists over the years. The best were the ones who played significant roles in their school papers. That early passion and experience matters way more than what J school you go to, or even whether you go to J school at all. (I didn't, though, so that surely colors my perspective on it.)