Shelby Brewer

She will receive a bachelor's degree in mass communication, with journalism as the emphasis of her course work. Since she doesn't know what to expect, she's worried about what's out there.

"My biggest fear is that I won't like the job I find," Ms. Brewer said. "To me, finding a job sounds so permanent. I just want to find some place and like it."

She offered her philosophy on life.

"I judge success by happiness," she said. "If I'm not happy, I'm not successful. Money doesn't matter."

For now, Ms. Brewer doesn't want to leave Arkansas. She's considered working for a newspaper in northwest Arkansas.

Her short-term goal is to work for a small-town newspaper "to get a feel of what journalism is all about."

Her long-term goals include the pursuit of a career with a prominent magazine, such as Cosmopolitan, Glamour or Rolling Stone. "My mom would miss me too much if I moved to New York City right now," she said. She's also interested in writing non-fiction. She has started a non- fiction essay book.

In 10 years, she wants to be "a well-known journalist whose columns influence people."

She worries about technology phasing out the newspaper business. She see it threatened by the Internet and other advanced technologies which continue to steal readers.

"I'm afraid that newsprint will disappear," she said.