Columbia Graduate School of Journalism Day 72

Hey blogsphere!

Another day at Columbia Journalism school and another day of long hours of work. I'm on hour 15 right now. I came in for Video 2 training at 9:00 a.m. and have been working on my assignments since then. I got out of video training at 6:00 p.m. ate dinner and have been back working since then.

My first day of video training was awesome! My professor is great and liked my first script that we wrote today. My health and Science class was Monday and I loved that class too! I really feel like I'm getting my money's worth at this school currently.

Its interesting how the writing style changes from different medium to different medium in journalism. I don't think Broadcast Journalism gets enough credit for transitioning the words to fit powerful images, but that's a story for another time.

How about some practical advice?

Find a professor you like, build a network of people you trust, and work your butt of from there. Don't feel like your going to like everything your doing in school, who does? Just do what you love and what you have a passion for and everything else in your life will find its way there.

More practical advice?

If you do graduate and decide to attend graduate school, work in between the time of undergraduate and graduate school. I found myself getting a little rusty on my 8 month layover and felt like I should've worked to stay sharp.

The most practical advice?

Think logically and go with your gut. Your usually right about what you know, not what you assume.

Columbia Graduate School of Journalism Day 63

Well I haven't posted in my Life after Graduation blog in a while. Things have changed in my life! I got accepted into Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Honored to follow in my father's footsteps of going to an Ivy League University.

Currently students are in the third month of our ten month program. We finished reporting class and our first set of essential classes.

I can't be more excited because I wasn't fond of reporting or covering Chinatown in New York. The language barrier was a difficult obstacle. Chinatown is also very ethnocentric so I received some crazy looks indicating I didn't belong there. However, I'm from the south so this was nothing new to me. I just wanted to get my assignment done effectively. The ethnocentricism and language barrier was frustrating and compounded with my disinterest in writing professionally for a newspaper publication deterred my drive. In the wise word of my sister, "Your not going to like every class in school."

So moving forward I'm taking what I can from the experience and not taking anything for granted. However,  I will certainly voice my concerns of the new curriculum in the teacher evaluation. That is a story for another day.

We have a week break for our master's projects. My master's project is a hybrid between video and a written paper. 4 to 6 minute video and 2,000 to 3,000 words. My topic is consumer habits of African Americans in correlation with socioeconomic status. My master's advisor has been giving excellent advice and will also be my video storytelling professor in the Spring.

On the 28th we begin our written word class and image and sound module class. My written word is covering health and science with Barbara Kantrowitz. My image and sound module is Video 2 with June Cross. I'm super ecstatic about combining video with covering health and science. My ultimate goal is to combine science journalism with videography. Check out some of my video work on my other blog http://hawkspot1.blogspot.com. This is the most excited I have been since I started at  graduate school.

Today is also my Sister's birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY TINA!

On to my advice for future undergraduate college graduates. There are many ways to be successful coming out of school. I have seen many of my classmates attain jobs and do what they really want to do immediately out of school. First I want to complement the drive and dedication of my peers who already have jobs in such a difficult market. Much respect to these individuals.

I took a different route in my journey. Many people think going to Graduate school for Journalism after already having a undergraduate degree is pointless. People have stated taking on the debt of Graduate school is not smart and will put you in a trap.

I'm going to be the first to tell you this is a lie. I'm living in the city of my dreams, in the number one market for journalism, at the best University in the city, and the only Graduate School of Journalism in the Ivy League. I'm cultivating resources and networks that cannot be duplicated anywhere else. I'm specializing in a niche field which many media companies are pouring tons of money into. I'm looking to triple my expected undergraduate salary when I leave graduate school.

This has been a long journey for me and a lot of people in my life given me tremendous opportunities, I will never forget them or take those opportunities for granted.

The best advice I can give you is follow your dreams and create something that doesn't exist! There is not another you on this planet so take advantage of your own creative advantage.

Welp, I'm off my stool for today. I'm about to go hoop at Columbia Gym and then get back to work. Oh yeah, the Knicks practiced at our gym on Sunday check out the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw98rWOFDSY&sns=fb to exclusive footage from RatNowNews, don't forget to subscribe!

Catch me tomorrow for more advice. Don't forget to follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/40_hawk

Brooklyn Day 8

I will make this post short because I've been working all day.

Today was a good day. I worked all day and got a lot done. I will be constructing my dresser for my clothes tomorrow. I will also start another masters program application. I applied to 5 internships through the intern match website, we'll see how that goes.

Going out yesterday was unsuccessful. Two spots ending up not working out. Valentine's day is thursday though so I will be out and about.

Also I am trying to be as social as possible in the City. I'm gonna try some single apps for your phone which could be interesting. Also, I signed up for a couple single sports leagues like dodgeball, which also will be fun.

I'm tired so I will elaborate more tomorrow if I have time. Thank you and good night followers and casual readers.

Brooklyn Day 7

Today is my seventh day of the work week in Brooklyn. I haven't blogged in a couple days so I will update my followers and casual readers. I've been fighting of headaches but lets keep it moving.

Well we survived the blizzard. They made a big deal about the blizzard in the news but these New Yorkers are resilient, kept the city going as normal.

I overstressed about what to do when I got here. Should I look for a full time journalism job? Should I intern? Should I find a part-time job? All of this was not relevant. The only person in my family stressing was me. My mom, dad and two sisters told me to relax, I have the rest of my life to work.

With that being said, I am in a blessed situation. I'm waiting on two graduate schools to potentially attend. Living in one of the the best cities in the World. Don't wanna boat but life is good and I'm going to enjoy this time.

On the business tip though, I took my writing test at one graduate school I was interested in. It was not too difficult, I feel confident about the results. I will apply for some internships related to journalism to keep me sharp and find a part-time job to finance my social life lol! I'm gonna fill out about 3 more graduate applications just in case.

Me and my sister went half on a cannon T4I Rebel camera. I'm excited because this is the last item I need to do documentaries and videography on my own. I have all the software on my computer and graphics packages.

But I'm getting ready to go out and have a good time. Hope everyone has a great week and remember FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS.

Brooklyn Day 2

Today was another day in the Brooklyn Adventure. One thing about being somewhere new is everyday is fun! I don't get bored and I never know what is going to happen. I get sick of people asking me do I have a job. I've had over 30 paid and unpaid jobs in my life. Finding a job is not the issue. Doing what I want to is.

Today I bought some red and black guess shoes from Nordstrom's Rack and two pairs of fitted jeans from Forever 21 on 14th street in Manhattan. I'm trying to adjust to the cold weather and assimilate with New York's fashion culture. It was snowing today but the snowflakes tasted good! It was only the sixth time I've seen snow in my life. The cold weather is growing on me, just like the subway. Loving the adjustments though, its nothing like Dallas, Tx.

I applied to four production jobs at Madison Square Garden. I was under qualified for the positions but, it never hurts to apply and I was referred by an employer at a job fair. I also looked up some internship opportunities on Craig's list and applied for a film internship. Researched the best camera to buy for entrepreneurial videography for me and my sister and a microphone to go with it. Still studying for the GRE as well.

Tomorrow I'm going to tour Columbia and speak with the Dean because my professor and mentor suggested I do. Suit and tie it is, have to be sharp for this interview. I will have to do some research on the master of arts science program before I go. I'm excited to see the campus and meet with the Dean it will be an enlightening experience.

Every day is an adventure in LIFE AFTER GRADUATION!!

Brooklyn, Day 1

Today is the first day of my life after graduation blog!!! Welcome and I hope you enjoy and I enlighten. I moved to Brooklyn on Friday with my sister. I'm happy to start my new adventure with my brilliant and resilient sister!! I wouldn't be able to start this journey without her.

The weekend was fun. Went to Club Amnesia on Saturday. The crowd was a little older than I expected. However, I don't discriminate and love to have a good time!! Beautiful Spanish, African, Asian, American, and Australian (just kidding but who knows.) were all over the venue. I enjoyed myself and danced to all the southern rap I heard. My positive vibe even turned up a stray $50 by the bar. Great night overall.

Sunday I attended a singles super bowl party, also an older crowd then expected. However, after standing for the first half I find a booth next to a nice young lady where we conversed the whole 3rd quarter. Yes that included the blackout thanks to Beyonce. She did put on a great show and Michelle and Kelly were a nice touch. Of course meeting somebody new made my 3rd quarter that much more interesting despite Beyonce making super bowl history.

I had a fun first weekend in New York City. I'm ready to start LIFE AFTER GRADUATION now. I've put in graduate applications to Columbia and Syracuse University so I just have to pray all goes well. I don't know anybody in the city so I need to find some activities I enjoy like basketball or martial Arts. With all the free time I can build up my resume with Internships related to my field and obtain a side job as a waiter, leasing agent, petsitter, or in customer service. Basically I will hustle with the experience I have until the graduate schools send me denial or acceptance letters.

SO BEGINS THE JOURNEY AFTER GRADUATION

(more material coming soon, along with the everyday blog.)