Amy Byres

When I was in college studying journalism and marketing at the University of New Mexico, I cannot put into words the excitement I felt when I started my internship at the Rio Rancho Observer. I would feel this same excitement when I was offered a staff position a few months later.

It is hard to believe that this was a little less than two years ago. As a reporter, I have grown into a completely new writer with the guidance of Observer Editor Argen Marie Duncan. That is why it is so difficult to be saying goodbye to my first job out of college.

I am grateful for the lessons I have learned at Observer and I am excited to carry them through the rest of my professional career. Before working here, there is no way I would have said I wanted to be a business reporter. Turns out being the Observer’s business reporter would open my eyes to how passionate I am about helping local businesses.

I have seen businesses rise and fall through the pandemic and I have watch community leaders scramble to gather resources and help entrepreneurs through this time. The more I watched and wrote about these remarkable people, the more I wanted to be one of them.

I accepted a position at Sandoval Economic Alliance as a program coordinator and marketing specialist. I am so excited to be playing a more active role in the business community.

If I had not worked at the Observer and become a business reporter, I don’t know if I would have discovered this other passion of mine. Being a reporter in my hometown was a dream of mine that I have been able to play out.

I am proud of the work I have done at the Observer — and once a reporter, you’re always a reporter at heart. I will miss the rush I feel when I would report on protests and the excitement I would get when I would capture an amazing photo.

The best feeling is when someone I wrote about would call and thank me for my work. Working as a reporter in Rio Rancho is nothing like working as a reporter in Albuquerque, which I have done.

Residents in Rio Rancho take pride in their town and truly care about the well-being of the community. I would receive criticism and praise from Rio Ranchoans.

I am forever grateful to the readers of the Observer for always keeping me on my toes and staying involved in the community.

As I go down this new path, wish me the best of luck, but I know our paths will cross again.