One of the last big projects I completed was The day in the life of a Lynn student-athlete. Kyle Conrad, a sophomore on the Lynn soccer team was my victim. Carolina, our student photographer, and myself followed Kyle around for a full day, documenting his every move. He was a wonderful subject, and his personality really shows in the photographs. I had always wondered what went on in the day of a student-athlete, so it was an opportunity for me to learn more about campus life too.

The video can also be found on our Lynn Facebook Page… where you can find many many more video projects and photo albums too.

You never expect time to go by so quickly, and before you know it, you’re standing at the door to the real world, key in hand. Entering the real world is a big step. I think like any journey, preparation determines your success… You are not going to embark on a trip away without a cleverly thought-out bag of essentials packed. In the same sense, you truly should not be standing at that gate to the real world without some bare essentials (and I am not talking toothbrush and razor here – however, if you’re going to a job interview those may be necessary to use before!). What I am referring to, are the little things you need to do now, to get prepared, so when  that fateful day suddenly hits you, you are not standing there ill-prepared, but rather ‘dressed for success’.

There are a lot of things one doesn’t think of.

• In the broadcasting and journalism field, it is imperative that you start collecting on camera pieces, studio work, stand ups, packages that you have done and compile them for your resume reel. There are a few companies that you can pay to create your resume reel for you, but I personally did my own. I took a few days and went into the field to do stand ups and packages. Another day I took a bunch of suits into the studio and did various studio shots, changing in between. I also used some packages and interviews I had from the previous year’s work. Then you have to sit down, choose your best shots, and compile a 5-7 minute reel.

A few tips:

• If you can edit, edit your stuff together, show it to a few people and take the criticism. Watch it again, and then don’t look at it again for a week.
• When watching it again, put yourself into the mind frame of the potential employer… also try and do this when you have a lot going on around you and you are under time pressure – thus experiencing the true effect of what the person who will be watching your tape will be seeing.
• Edit edit edit! Make sure your piece is short, concise, and only shows your best shots – quality rather than quantity!
• Show it to people in the industry and get their feedback.
• Lastly, presentation is everything… so make sure your reel cover looks professional and impressive.

• Your resume itself is equally important. I sent my resume to three of four people, asking them to read over it and make any suggestions. That definitely helped, and it was a working process – my resume looks nothing like my original draft. Once again, keep it short and concise… choose the best of you activities to list etc. Also, don’t be too modest. I struggle talking about myself, as I am sure everyone does, but as one professor said to me: No one is going to let them know why you’re best for the job, but you! Also, try asking a professor for a copy of their resume, that would really help you with formatting and wording. Don’t forget your cover letter! and remember that there are a hundred other candidates applying for the same job, make sure your resume stands out.
• References and letters of recommendation are vital. So, ensure you have a few of these, and get copies!
• Next thing is finding out where to look for jobs. In regards to communication, try the following:
  • Medialine
  • Monster
  • Ragan Career Center
  • and the actual websites of the company (there is generally a link to employment or careers)

So, hopefully this is a recipe for success… I am yet to find out, but will be sure to let you know!

So, I did my thesis proposal defense this morning, and it was a breeze. I was more than well prepared, and am quite confident that I am on the right track. My committee members, Dr. Krift, Dr. Fabj, and Mr. John Bennardo gave me some great feedback. I honestly think that I have chosen a winning committee. Each member brings something important to the table in regards to their expertise! Additionally, I really admire and respect each of them as professionals in their field. So, I have a little bit more work to do, and then my final defense is set for December 9th!

Remember that top secret project I was telling you about a few weeks back? The one I had been working on for the State of the University Address? Well, here it is!

I just arrived back from California last night, where I have been for the past few days shooting some interviews for my thesis/creative project. Whilst I was in LA I met up with some interesting people who gave me some wonderful advice for my career search. One thing you will learn as your graduation date draws closer, your idea of what you want to be when you grow up will probably change a trillion times. I think the best mindset to have is to be accepting of a wide range of career specialties. As one professor told me, ‘throw your net out there, and see what you reel in’. That is what I will be doing. Coming out of college is a very daunting event. I have even contemplated doing my PhD… perhaps for the wrong reasons (fearing failure and that I may not get a job… pursuing a PhD ensures that I won’t have to face that obstacle for another three or so years!). But that isn’t the mind set to have.

In the past few months my life and world around me has changed completely. Previously, I was on a very well defined path, I knew exactly where life was taking me, and I was aware of the sacrifices I was making – sure they were worth the effort. But, you will begin to learn that people will walk in and out of your life – perhaps timing is everything. It is events such as these, meetings such as these, in which you step back and evaluate your life from an outside perspective… a perspective that can perhaps redefine the way you see the world. It is a process of growing and learning, a continues cycle of discovery, understanding who you are and what you want. Ultimately, I have discovered that the predefined plan was not what I desired. There is so much that the world has to offer, and so much I have to offer the world. If you have heard the saying, ‘the world is your oyster’, you will hear it again as you prepare to graduate… and it will never sound as true as the day you walk into the hall on graduation day.

So, I am on the two month count down. I have so very much to do… and so very little time. Once again, I stress, as I have many times before: Be Proactive! A few medial tasks I am currently working on (which I don’t truly have the time to… but need to) are:
* Resume
* Resume Reel
* Letters of Recommendation
* Thesis/creative project
* Homework
* Preparing for the new year (where am I going to live after December… which state?)
* What am I going to do with all my stuff?!
* Have I registered for Graduation? Have you?
* Are my accounts in order?
* Is my international status in order? Shall I start applying for my OPT (Optional Practical Training)?

These are just a handful of the many concerns and tasks consuming my life… and I haven’t even mentioned my Marketing Dept. work…

I have been making progress however! Today I shot the intro to my first segment of my thesis (see photo below… a behind the scenes shot). And I also met with Dr. Robert Watson, who has been a tremendous mentor advising me on my resume and cover letter. Another thing I recommend is finding a mentor on campus. It doesn’t have to be someone that is assigned to you. Find a professor, faculty, or staff member whom you relate to. They may be the best help you have ever had, and they can share their successes and failures with you. As my dad always says, ‘A fool is one who learns from his own mistakes; a wise man is the one who learns from the mistakes of others’. So, be wise, be proactive, and be true to yourself.

I finally got around to going to Muvico and seeing a movie. Watching the movie was purely an excuse to see the Lynn Commercial in theater, and enjoy my 15 seconds of fame. I felt rather special sitting in the packed theater, everyone watching something I created. However, I was rather disappointed when some rude individuals continued to talk over my hard work. I must admit, I had to stop myself from jumping up and ’shhhhh’ing them. Laura, my amazingly supportive friend and co worker brought her camera along and we tried to snap a photo of the screen… evidence. And she even gave me a little applause after the commercial had aired. I was hoping every one would clap, but then again, I was just relieved nobody ‘boo’ed!

Well, the second Lynn Commercial launched today on YouTube and also on our Facebook page:

Thanks again to everyone involved. These commercials are a true window into Life @ Lynn!

A few days ago the new Lynn University Commercial launched in movie theaters in our area. If you remember, I had been working on the production of the videos for quite some time. Well, it is such a relief to know that the videos are now in theater and running smoothly. I never thought I would be on the same screen as the premier of Batman! In fact, I never really saw myself on the big screen at all! However, it is due time that I make my way down to Muvico and see myself in theater.

There are two commercials, one of which I have posted to our Lynn University Facebook page.

I just wanted to say a big thank you to each student that worked with me in creating the commercial. Interestingly, none of the students are professional actors, merely students being themselves. It’s a truly authentic commercial. If you go to the science lab, you’ll find Rhandi working in her lab coat. The classes that I taped in were actual classes, and the teachers were really teaching. And if you walk around campus, you’re bound to find me somewhere with a video camera. So, the commercial is as honest a reflection of the university you can get.

As promised… the interview with Doris Kearns Goodwin:

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.

This is the photo of Doris Kearns Goodwin and myself, after I interviewed her at the Dively Frontiers Lecture.