I went to bed at 4 a.m. and woke up at 8 a.m. had some french toast (did not cook) and then went to work. Its currently 10:30 and I've taken pictures and posted my apartment across social media and on 2 website listings, secured a steady video gig for sundays and sent an invoice. Good early start, but still plenty to do. I'm actually kind of tired because I'm not used to being up this early. Having lunch with a friend an then having a couple of conference calls to hopefully generate some more money. We will see what happens, but until then keep hustling and remember after graduation is when life really starts.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
My latest post
So I'm posting this to my blog because I have to write everyday. People say you should only be good at one thing. They settle too much. You can do anything you want to. Now I'm running a production company and despite my inexperience I will prevail. However, does that mean I don't want to be a great writer? No. It just means that my mind can only focus on so many things, but if we could get rid of sleep somehow, then there are no excuses.
Since this is my life after graduation blog, I'm really just going to say how I feel. Its crazy moving from the suburbs to New York. I'm writing its crazy and wanting to erase it because what happened was supposed to happen. You must believe that in every part of your life. Its not crazy it was supposed to happen. It was what the Universe had in store for you. If I could recommend anything, I would recommend reading the Alchemist. This book is about a path that everyone can understand. In that book is you and in you is everyone, we are all part of a larger Universe and larger conciseness. Love yourself.
Since this is my life after graduation blog, I'm really just going to say how I feel. Its crazy moving from the suburbs to New York. I'm writing its crazy and wanting to erase it because what happened was supposed to happen. You must believe that in every part of your life. Its not crazy it was supposed to happen. It was what the Universe had in store for you. If I could recommend anything, I would recommend reading the Alchemist. This book is about a path that everyone can understand. In that book is you and in you is everyone, we are all part of a larger Universe and larger conciseness. Love yourself.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Columbia Journalism School 6 weeks before graduation.
Well my 10 months of graduate school is winding down. I am sad and happy at the same time. Happy to reach another milestone in my life and sad that my 10 months at Columbia University is coming to an end. I don't know if I'm staying in NYC, I don't know where I'm working and I don't know what my future holds. All I can do is live in the moment.
So currently I'm applying for jobs and finishing up my numerous environmental science assignments. Three stories, nature assignment and a long form magazine article. Multimedia storytelling, on-air skills and audience/engagement are the few classes I have left. I plan to take full advantage of the time that I have left to perform in these classes.
Although the year is coming to an end I will be working harder than ever as I close out my career at Columbia University. Do I have any regrets? No. What did I learn that was most important? I am capable of anything I put my mind too. The People? Everyone has their own unique gifts that can be utilized in an open journalism market. What was the best part? The people of course, never a dull moment. Would I give any advice to future students coming in? Try everything and be open minded to learning new things, 10 months goes a lot faster than you think.
What are my plans afterward? Well that's the most interesting part actually. Going to the career fair made me realize all the potential talents I have and how they can be utilized in a multi platform media company. I have sports experience in all aspects of journalism. I have also done traditional broadcast news which allows me flexibility in the corporate network world. I have a unique skill set including writing, reporting, social media, videography, editing, and producing. Making me extremely versatile and available for more opportunities regardless of where I work. Then my environmental science reporting gives me a lot of freedom to freelance and become my own expert on important science topics. Then you factor in my entrepreneurship ability and constant thirst to become my own boss, I feel extremely confident. Even in talking to other students, I believe thats an important thing that is missing from the conversation, everyone's own unique gifts. People at columbia J school have many gifts including:great editing, investigative experts, html wizards, programming experts etc... As your time comes to an end you begin to grasp the potential of yourself and learning about yourself is the most important thing, especially in your 20's.
Overall I would say use your creativity to the fullest, and enjoy every moment of life because you never get it back and you never know when it could end.
So currently I'm applying for jobs and finishing up my numerous environmental science assignments. Three stories, nature assignment and a long form magazine article. Multimedia storytelling, on-air skills and audience/engagement are the few classes I have left. I plan to take full advantage of the time that I have left to perform in these classes.
Although the year is coming to an end I will be working harder than ever as I close out my career at Columbia University. Do I have any regrets? No. What did I learn that was most important? I am capable of anything I put my mind too. The People? Everyone has their own unique gifts that can be utilized in an open journalism market. What was the best part? The people of course, never a dull moment. Would I give any advice to future students coming in? Try everything and be open minded to learning new things, 10 months goes a lot faster than you think.
What are my plans afterward? Well that's the most interesting part actually. Going to the career fair made me realize all the potential talents I have and how they can be utilized in a multi platform media company. I have sports experience in all aspects of journalism. I have also done traditional broadcast news which allows me flexibility in the corporate network world. I have a unique skill set including writing, reporting, social media, videography, editing, and producing. Making me extremely versatile and available for more opportunities regardless of where I work. Then my environmental science reporting gives me a lot of freedom to freelance and become my own expert on important science topics. Then you factor in my entrepreneurship ability and constant thirst to become my own boss, I feel extremely confident. Even in talking to other students, I believe thats an important thing that is missing from the conversation, everyone's own unique gifts. People at columbia J school have many gifts including:great editing, investigative experts, html wizards, programming experts etc... As your time comes to an end you begin to grasp the potential of yourself and learning about yourself is the most important thing, especially in your 20's.
Overall I would say use your creativity to the fullest, and enjoy every moment of life because you never get it back and you never know when it could end.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Columbia Journalism School 7 weeks before graduation
Yes its been a while since I've posted in this blog. School has kept me extremely busy of course and I like it. Both my classes this semester have been amazing and after the career fair I'm confident about my future. My future will be brighter the harder I work. Personally people believe you work your hardest in school then you become comfortable with a job. I'm the opposite I have never been a fan of grades or the whole process of completing assignments without pay. Yeah I know its probably weird, but the idea of fending for myself and hustling with my talents and skills is so much more appealing. Freelancing, A steady job and another part time job is my plan. I do have a lot of student debt. The most important thing is I'm confident in my abilities and myself. During the career fair I was able to talk to science magazines, digital publications, traditional broadcast news companies, sports, and freelance video. This really made me realize the eclectic mix of skills I have and that I'm not limited to a job. There will be a lot of opportunities to entrepreneur my abilities on my own.
So now I'm focused on working really hard before graduation so I have strong material to show after I leave. I have 2 documentaries in the works and a potential of 4 articles to be published for my Environmental Science class. Mastering the craft of Science writing is important and will further enhance my freelance freedom. My multimedia piece about Superhero's is going great and my camera skills are improving everyday.
I guess the most important advice I can give is have confidence in yourself. Sometimes you can be hard on yourself and I'm like this all the time. However, when you sit down and have fluid conversations with recruiters and they like your work and attitude, its a great feeling. It shows you the hard work you put in throughout your career has paid off. It gives you a true realization about how talented you are. I'm a pretty modest person and I don't like to brag. I have confidence in myself and don't have insecurities. However, when you put value into what I call 'proof in the pudding' or letting my work do the talking and not myself, hearing a potential employer notice your strong suits and show interest is extremely gratifying.
But I'm here to give you advice about life after graduation, well undergrad graduation at least. I think the best advice I can give is in graduate school you really figure out who you really are. At this point I know what I want to do, what I can do, and that I want to do it on my own. What does that mean? It means I don't want a relationship, I don't want to work for the same company for long and I know I need to continue to enhance my resources to navigate the new journalism business climate. At this point I feel like no better profession fits into my hustler mentality than this one. So to the reader I would say, whatever makes you happy and doesn't feel like work, that is what you should do with your life!
So now I'm focused on working really hard before graduation so I have strong material to show after I leave. I have 2 documentaries in the works and a potential of 4 articles to be published for my Environmental Science class. Mastering the craft of Science writing is important and will further enhance my freelance freedom. My multimedia piece about Superhero's is going great and my camera skills are improving everyday.
I guess the most important advice I can give is have confidence in yourself. Sometimes you can be hard on yourself and I'm like this all the time. However, when you sit down and have fluid conversations with recruiters and they like your work and attitude, its a great feeling. It shows you the hard work you put in throughout your career has paid off. It gives you a true realization about how talented you are. I'm a pretty modest person and I don't like to brag. I have confidence in myself and don't have insecurities. However, when you put value into what I call 'proof in the pudding' or letting my work do the talking and not myself, hearing a potential employer notice your strong suits and show interest is extremely gratifying.
But I'm here to give you advice about life after graduation, well undergrad graduation at least. I think the best advice I can give is in graduate school you really figure out who you really are. At this point I know what I want to do, what I can do, and that I want to do it on my own. What does that mean? It means I don't want a relationship, I don't want to work for the same company for long and I know I need to continue to enhance my resources to navigate the new journalism business climate. At this point I feel like no better profession fits into my hustler mentality than this one. So to the reader I would say, whatever makes you happy and doesn't feel like work, that is what you should do with your life!
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
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.
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.
Monday, October 21, 2013
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
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
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
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.
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.
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