Desiree Dancy, vice president of diversity and inclusion for The New York Times Company, makes opening remarks for participants of The New York Times Student Journalism Institute on Monday, May 18, on the campus of Dillard University in New Orleans. (Dale W. Clarke II/The New York Times Student Journalism Institute)

After two delayed flights coming out of Norfolk International Airport I finally made it to New Orleans and to the New York Times Institute being held at Dillard University.

The program is primarily a two-week journalism boot camp for current students and recent graduates from universities from all over the country. And each one of us seemed anxious, excited, and a little nervous to get things started. We all recognized that this is an opportunity for a lot of us to further develop our journalism skills and to learn more about ourselves.

Staff from the New York Times and Dillard University, along with a handful of media professionals from various newspapers and institutions, have helped us in a variety of ways.  They are giving us the tools needed to be successful at the institute and in our future careers.  We have been given a lot of freedom to explore and experiment with different aspects of media.  For example, traditional print reporters have the opportunity to do video stories or edit copy.  And the staff continues to give us guidance on how to go about the next two weeks of intensive journalism practice.

I hope to develop meaningful relationships with our advisors and my fellow talented, aspiring journalists. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be here. And I’m looking forward to working with all the people at the institute.