Same question, different boss.

In my near-decade stint in the print journalism industry — one that already includes myriad stops in five different states — every hiring editor tossed me this inquiry late in the interview process.

“Where do you want to end up?”

The first two asked as a formality. The rest, growing ever-wiser to my gypsy tendency, genuinely wanted to know how long I’d stick around their respective fishwraps.

Each quick-fire response was the same: Home.

Helena, Mont.; Lewiston, Idaho; Odessa, Texas; Minot, N.D.; Pendleton, Ore. — each presented opportunities for a relatively wet-behind-the-ears journalist to improve.

Each city and newsroom was a cultural and social contrast from the last, each of which helped me improve as a writer and grow as a person.

They weren’t Coeur d’Alene, though, the town where, 10 years ago, the genesis of my career was a made-from-my-bedroom prep sports blog rife with enthusiasm and AP-style errors.

In lieu of working near one of the most picturesque lakes on the continent, I was driving past towering West Texas oil derricks en route to multi-million-dollar prep football stadiums, or ascending the Lewiston Grade, temporarily escaping the paper-mill-induced stench, to cover an event at Wazzu.

There was no lakefront resort or Roger’s Ice Cream and Burgers — no burgeoning communities small enough for regular run-ins with eighth-grade friends or relatives while pumping gas.

I’m back now, though. Older, wiser, no longer in the sports department but with the same journalistic and storytelling fervor I had the morning I excitedly fetched the newspaper that included my first byline.

Finally, I get to tell stories that matter in an area that matters to me.

I’m home.

•••

Ryan Collingwood will cover Kootenai County for The Press. He can be reached at [email protected], (208) 416-5112 or on Twitter @RyanCDAPress.

He fills out a newsroom already inhabited by several other intrepid Press reporters and photographers.

• Brian Walker, a 15-year Press reporter, covers the cities of Post Falls, Rathdrum and Spirit Lake. Reach him at [email protected], (208) 699-4562 or @BrianCDAPress.

• Devin Heilman has been writing and reporting for The Press since 2013. She writes features, covers community events and the city of Hayden. Contact Heilman at [email protected], (208) 664-8176 ext. 1111 or @DevinCDAPress.

• Keith Cousins joined The Press staff in 2013. His beat includes the city of Coeur d’Alene and the courts. Cousins can be reached at [email protected], (208) 664-8176 ext. 2010 or @KeithCDAPress.

• Jake Parrish, Press chief photographer, is completing his first year on the editorial staff. Contact Parrish at [email protected], (208) 664-8176 ext. 2006 or @JakeCDAPress.

• Bethany Blitz covers education. She joined The Press in March. She can be reached at [email protected], (208) 664-8176 ext. 2015 or @BethanyCDAPress.

• Loren Benoit, photographer, came to The Press a few months ago. Benoit can be contacted at [email protected], (208) 664-8176 ext. 2018 or @LorenCDAPress.