I have spent the past four months as the sports editor of The Evening Sun and now with the return of Patrick Newell, I will be leaving the position to explore other opportunities abound.

I have learned quite a bit about sports, news and public relations over my short tenure with the Norwich newspaper.

My favorite part of the job was designing the sports section that readers around Chenango County held in their hands every day.

I want to thank Pat Newell for teaching me the trade. I also want to thank Jeff Genung for helping me inch closer to mastery in the craft. Pica by pica, I gained a great understanding of how the world of layout and design works.

I attended SUNY Albany and studied Journalism, graduating with two Bachelor’s degrees in 2009. I spent the summer of 2009 working at the Daily Star under Dean Russin.

When entering the job market, I had the predisposition of prominence. In other words, I believed that I knew it all.

Spending that summer struggling to layout the agate page opened my eyes to the fact that while I may be more educated that most applicants, my lack of experience was of great hindrance.

I hacked away at the keyboard and clicked furiously on the mouse up until, and often past deadline, feeling flustered and helpless.

If I had any advice for future journalists, it would be to first familiarize yourself with the programs that your potential employers are using.

It is one thing to have an extensive vocabulary. It is another thing to know how to do the intangible aspects of the job of a journalist.

It is not enough to have read the works of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, Edward R. Murrow, Seymour Hersch, Truman Capote and Hunter S. Thompson.

Like every job there are tedious tasks and mundane requirements. It’s not all flowery language and eloquence.

All of these journalists spent countless hours researching, interviewing, studying and planning before penning the pieces that we all recall.

Little of importance is done without effort. Few can sit in front of a computer and create a master work without first examining the angles and planning a purpose with their words.

As I write this I feel hypocritical because I know that there are a number of articles that made it to print over the last few months that could have been better. I should have spent more time on the phone with a coach or paid closer attention to the details of a game or event.

I am not Truman Capote. I am Shaun Savarese, a 29 years old with one year of true journalistic experience, and I know my limits.

Taking on this job was a huge risk for me. Giving me this job was an even bigger risk for The Evening Sun.

I want to thank Dick Snyder, Ashley Biviano and Patrick Newell for granting me the opportunity to follow my dreams.

I met many interesting people and lead an interesting life during my tenure. I wasn’t always perfect, but I’m proud of what I accomplished.

The City of Norwich welcomed me.

It treated this Sidney kid like one of its own.

I witnessed an exceptional baseball, softball, track, and tennis season and got to know a lot of great coaches. It was great working with you guys! (Chris Palmer, Brian Hicks, Scott Fitzpatrick, Heather Pizza, Rich Turnbull, Shaun Horan, John Stewart and Scott Moore: to name a few.)

I worked with four truly talented and inspiring people.

Matt White is clever and funny and a great guy to work alongside.

Shawn McGrath is a hard working, dedicated individual.

Sami Gillette is full of potential and she dove into her position as a reporter with courage and tenacity.

Ashley Biviano is the coolest boss I have ever worked for. She has a nose for news and the spirit of a journalist. Her never-say-die attitude opened my eyes to the way that the world works and I’m truly thankful for that.

I admire these people and I will never forget my time at The Evening Sun.

Thank you Snyder Communications. Thank you Chenango County. For now, I bid you farewell.