The Valiant and Heroic Escape from the Relentless Jaws of Gruesome Death

Not coincidentally, competition beat out my other four strengths to take what I feel is the top spot among them. Having this quality as a main strength provides me with motivation to set expectations based both on my own potential and the potential of others. The field of journalism is highly competitive, especially at the University of Missouri and especially during rough economic conditions. As a result, those who pursue such careers must have the hunger to be a step ahead and must be "instinctively aware of other people's performance," as Strengthsquest puts it. This is an important quality because a capitalistic society is inherently competitive, and if the thrill of victory in any sense doesn't motivate you, few things will.

"Winning isn't everything; it's the only thing" -Legendary football coach Vince Lombardi

One of my other top strengths is adaptability, which is arguably the most important skill for a journalist to possess. In a profession that changes rapidly on a daily basis, a career in journalism demands extraordinary flexibility, requiring its constituents to accept new assignments and developments in short periods of time. Additionally, the field is constantly evolving in the long run, and journalists have often had to make the transition from traditional media to more digital and socially interactive outlets. The next decade may bring about something else entirely. A good journalist with the quality of adaptability cannot be intimated by change; rather, they should embrace it.

Rounding out my top three is the strength of intellect. Part of being competitive and adaptable is the ability to think of alternatives and make coherent plans. In order to keep cool under pressure, journalists must be able to think, and must enjoy thinking, as Strengthsquest indicated. It is vital to be comfortable with logical and rational reasoning, which strengthens both immediate and long-term focus for maximum quality and productivity.