Banging my head against a wall

I have come to a critical moment in my short career as a newspaper photographer. I'm have been frustrated working at a community newspaper. In the past weeks, I have really questioned my desire to do this kind of work.
Theater Preview

I don't know what has influenced this change of heart. Maybe it has to do with the classes that I have been taking at the University. In the academic world, my studies have been concentrated on human rights issues and I believe that I want to move my photography in that direction as well.Groundbreaking

I have tried to stay interested in the community work, but everyday for the past few weeks walking into the office breeds more frustration and a poor attitude on my part. Two and a half years of prep sports, story time at the local library, building mugs, ribbon cuttings, theater previews, mug shots, and other crappy assignment that have fail to keep my heart going.

In my first photojournalism class my teacher never told me that these types of assignments are at the core of community photojournalism. I wonder if I knew what I know now, would I have chosen this path? I was captured by the P.J. bug because of the possibility of traveling the world and making a difference.30 Second Portrait

Now with massive layoffs everywhere I look, this possiblity seems less and less likely. My future goals were based on the knowledge that if I work hard and suffered through a few years of crap newspaper work"pay my dues," I would eventually be rewarded with a better job a major daily or decent freelance work.Prep Sports

With this career track in doubt I just don't know anymore. Don't get me wrong I still love photojournalism. I love photographing people and telling stories that I feel our community needs to know about. But, I have had a hard time figuring out how to keep my heart going.