first on decorahnews.com: This Decorah woman has a new part-time job--editorial writer for the Des Moines Register

Decorah resident Jessica Babcock says she owes it all to her mother.

Jessica's mother had seen a notice that the Des Moines Register was looking for young adults who were good at writing opinion essays.  Jessica tells decorahnews.com she didn't want to submit an essay at first, but her mother was "persistent."

Then inspiration struck and Jessica wrote an essay about her struggles with the paperwork required on student loans and the need to simplify bureaucracies.  She says while she has posted on blogs in the past, the written essay presented new challenges.

The essay has been selected by the newspaper for future publication--although the paper hasn't said when it will be printed.  Jessica says she is "flattered" to be chosen, especially since she will be asked to weigh in on other topics of interest to young professionals.