Creative Multimedia Journalism
What takes center stage for this semester is my work ethic. That means I need to use it to my advantage as well as keep it in check. I can't get overwhelmed by the amount I take on because I care about what I produce. I also need to make sure I have taken the necessary steps and courses in order to reach the finish line next year.
I have been working on my photography (per usual). My internship over the summer allowed me to do a lot of event photography and get me published on a few different websites. I have also, coincidentally worked on my people skills because my internship required me to actively talk to people about Sustainable America.
I am very pleased with my internship. I built a good reputation with the organization as well as experience in the activist environment. I wasn't so successful in geting myself back into shape, but it's not like I'm overweight or anything.
The plan for the fall is to just keep on keeping on. Maintain the level of effort and continue to take the measures required to graduate and do well. I want to do a killer job on the newspaper, survive the American course structure, do as much work as I can for my IDM evaluation and look for a job or some kind of plan for after graduation.
What turned out to be key to surviving this semester was effective and strategic time management as well as people management (or lack thereof). It turns out being the Visual Art Director is a full time job. I not only had that job but my second job as a respite worker and my event photography job at the university. Along with a full course load, that is a lot to juggle. Along with that, as a Director, I technically had people who worked under me. However, this turned out to be less than sufficient and I had to do a lot of The Mirror photography myself.
My illustrations really came into their own this past semester. What with Leigh's (Opinion Editor) perfectionist tendencies with our cartoons, my images had to always be top notch. While the constnat revisions were annoying, in hindsight it really developed my artistic abilities. My time management really took a beating. It was essential to get through the semester, but it also a level that I have never had to operate on. I never have had to manage people like I did (when I did). As a new experience I am not a fan, and know that I do not want to work in a managerial position.
I am proudest of what I have been able to accomplish on The Mirror and am very appreciative of what respect I have in the office. Although, much of my work is behind the scenes and as a utility so although I feel like I carry the paper sometimes, I don't get nearly that kind of recognition. I am also very happy that I applied for and recieved the Magis Scholar grant for a project I hope to get up and running next semester and in independent study. I am also happy to report I have been accepted to the Jamaica service tripe over winter break! I feel like the managerial aspect of my position at The Mirror has fallen short though. Although I elicited photographers as much as I could, I rarely was able to get coverage of events. This was also due to the last minute requests I would get from other editors. As much as I tried to impress the importance of getting to me ahead of time, no one really did. Ever.
The plan for now is to just take a deep breath before the plunge. I want to savor Christmas and Jamaica. I also want to try to get to Brooklyn to meet the director of a Ugandan nonprofit. I need to be researching and responsibly utilizing my grant too. With that said, I should be preparing more for Jamaica and developing Magis designs. Also I should be emailing internship opportunities. I hope I can get one next semester.
I have to maintain my capabilities to manage my time. Everything is going to fall apart if I don't do that. Particularly because I have two big applications I need to do in about a month and a half. I also need to be thinking about my plans for the future. What the heck am I going to do with my life???So far, and I mean it hasn't been too long since Jamaica, my resume writing skills have been getting a workout. I am a terrible salesperson when it comes to myself so I know I have to work a great deal on advertising Tebben, the asset. I also, as always want to be cognizant of my communication skills and improve my interactions with new people. I need to be more assertive and persuasive with collaborators and partners of projects, like Leigh. And acting as a leader has become something as a specialty of late.
The Jamaica trip was intense. It was such a glowing and formative experience. I am so glad that I was able to open up to my group and we were able to so eloquently express our feelings and beliefs. It was afferming. My faith and compassion were solidified even further and more than that, I was able to articulate my beliefs and signs and emotions with our group. I don't think I have ever cried in front of people before.
So now that I am back - although it is kind of rough, throwing me back into the thick of it - I have to get on this graduate school scholarship at the University of Georgia's forestry program I also have to compose my proposal for the Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship. I need to make as many connections for future employment as possible. I have to put together my emagazine for Magis as well as my independent study. I have to put together the IDM portfolio. And finally, I have to get ready for graduation! I also want to try for some of the college media competitions. To these ends, I have been working out a website platform. I will be taking a web design class this semester. I have been talking to Loan (Editor in Cheif) about competitions. And I am finishing the application for Fulbright. Honestly, I haven't actually been working on magazine stories yet. I have too much work to do especially in web design. And I feel like I am cutting the Fulbright dangerously close.
The Final Stretch
The last semester. The craziest semester. The most exciting semester.
Beginning of Fall '13 Semester
End of Fall '13 Semester
Beginning of Spring '14 Semester
