Last year, round about this time, I entered into a competition for young broadcasters and journalists by the Associated Press Florida. I put together a series of interviews and features I had produced in the past. I sent the application to the Miami Associated Press, not really expecting to win. However, a few days later I received a phone call from the AP office informing me that I had won their young broadcasters award. Obviously I was thrilled! I was even more thrilled when I found out I had won a grant of $2000!

When I was interning at WPBF, ABC News in West Palm Beach, one of the producers had told me of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). Each year NAB hosts a conference in Vegas. This is where this particular producer had actually met her employer and was offered her job at WPBF. So, I decided that with the grant money, I would go to Vegas for the NAB conference. So, all by my lonesome ownsome I made my way to Vegas. I felt very independent, but after I missed my stop of the bus and ended up miles away from where I was supposed to be, my confidence began to whither. I finally found the conference (after walking ten blocks in heels and suit attire). I had the opportunity to meet with broadcast companies and news corporations, such as Turner (CNN), CBS, and various other companies. I handed out my resume and made a few contacts.

Over all, the experience was worthwhile. However, I’m never going near Vegas alone again though! But, for all you budding journalists and broadcasters, The Associated Press grants awards to undergraduate students, so have a look at their site, and find out if you could be eligible to be an AP award winner.