The Bakersfield Voice

“Just Do It!”
I had those three words clearly written on a white board that would be seen by my volunteers and colleagues at my former job as a health programs manager for the local American Cancer Society. I noticed that the phrase usually made people smile and think for a moment.
Few months later, I stared at those words for a couple of minutes and I thought about the original reason I wrote it. Then I told myself, “No more excuses. I’m going back to journalism.”
I had left my journalism career more than three years ago to work for the wonderful nonprofit  American Cancer Society in Bakersfield.
While working for ACS, I acquired administrative and marketing experience. But what I truly enjoyed was working with volunteers and assisting them in accomplishing their goals. And so when I was asked to step in as the editor for The Northwest Voice, I realized it was a great opportunity to do what I love and, at the same time, work with people who are passionate about the written word.
My professional experience includes more than 10 years in journalism and marketing. I graduated from California State University, Fresno with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and journalism in 1995.
After graduating from college, I went to work as a reporter for The Bakersfield Californian and The Fresno Bee’s bilingual weekly newspaper. In addition to The Northwest Voice, I’m a writer for MAS, the local English-language Latino magazine in Kern County.
I just want to thank our Northwest Voice community contributors and columnists for sharing their writing, reporting and photography talents with our readers.
And, if you have been thinking about submitting a photo or an article, but haven’t done it yet for fear about how it may sound or look, I say, “Just Do It!” We would love to publish your voice.
My goal is to serve Northwest Bakersfield readers in the best manner possible. I welcome any thoughts or suggestions. You can reach me at 716-8639 or mmachuca@northwestvoice.com

User Name:mmachuca
Email:mmachuca@northwestvoice.com
Member Since:February 28, 2006
Last Signed In:December 19, 2006
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