For my last post, I wanted to let everyone know I got accepted to graduate school at Northwestern University! I will be studying at the Medill School of Journalism and will begin in the fall. Medill is one of the most well respected and highly ranked journalism schools in the country and I feel very blessed to be admitted to such a prestigious university.
The program is only one year long (12 months) and I will have my Masters of Science in the Summer of 2012. The year is divided into four quarters. In the first quarter I will be taking some basic reporting and media law/ethics courses. During the second quarter I will be working in the downtown Chicago newsroom where I will be working just like a professional journalist, producing stories on deadlines. In the third and fourth quarters I will be working in my concentration, which right now will be TV and broadcasting, but that may change.
I am really excited about going up to Chicago for a year and studying journalism. This is a tremendous opportunity for me and I am sure this will greatly benefit by career as an aspiring journalist.
There is a lot of debate about whether or not it is important for journalists to have a master's degree. You can get a job with out it and not be in debt. And Northwestern is a pretty expensive school, even though it is only a one year program. But my thought process has always been that if I can get into one of the best schools, it will be worth it. The experiences and contacts I will make at Medill will be invaluable and will propel my career faster than if I got a low-level job or internship.
My dream is to work for a big city daily newspaper or a network like ESPN. I could work for the Star News for two years, then move to a bigger city like Charlotte, then to another city, and another, then hopefully end up in a market like New York or Chicago. But that would take probably 10 to 15 years. A degree from Northwestern would put me where I want to be, faster.
But it will be important to not only complete my degree, but to leave my mark on the program. I want to tackle challenging stories and write about important issues. I want to take advantage of everything Medill has to offer and excel as a collegiate journalist. I look forward to taking on this challenging opportunity and I am grateful for my experiences at UNCW that have lead me to this place.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Puppy Update
So my girlfriend and I have had the new puppy for about three weeks now. It has been hard for sure, but has been an overall very positive experience.
The hardest thing has been potty training. Jake has struggled with that so far, but he is getting better. We are at the point where he has about one accident a day.
But one of the huge positives about Jake is that he doesn't bark hardly at all. I think in three weeks I have heard him bark 5 times. That was one of my biggest concerns when getting him, but he has been awesome about that.
But the coolest thing has been the feeling of being a dog owner. I never knew I would like this dog so much. He is so much fun to play with and is a distraction for tough times.
My girlfriend's grandpa recently past away and she said that having Jake has helped so much. He gave her something else to focus on during this difficult time.
She actually left this weekend so I have been the permanent dog sitter. Definatly tough, but we have had the chance to bond and get to know each other better. I'm hoping he will continue to get better behaved, but until then I will just have to be patient.
The hardest thing has been potty training. Jake has struggled with that so far, but he is getting better. We are at the point where he has about one accident a day.
But one of the huge positives about Jake is that he doesn't bark hardly at all. I think in three weeks I have heard him bark 5 times. That was one of my biggest concerns when getting him, but he has been awesome about that.
But the coolest thing has been the feeling of being a dog owner. I never knew I would like this dog so much. He is so much fun to play with and is a distraction for tough times.
My girlfriend's grandpa recently past away and she said that having Jake has helped so much. He gave her something else to focus on during this difficult time.
She actually left this weekend so I have been the permanent dog sitter. Definatly tough, but we have had the chance to bond and get to know each other better. I'm hoping he will continue to get better behaved, but until then I will just have to be patient.
Charlie Sheen Takes Over Twitter
As Charlie Sheen started appearing on every TV show in America and gaining notoriety for his party boy behavior, Sheen took to twitter to even further bolster is prominence in the public eye. And I will admit, I am one of his many followers.
In less than 24 hours Sheen had over 900,000 followers. He posted pictures posing with his "Goddesses" and uses hash tags such as #winning and #tigerblood (whatever that means). Twitter followers couldn't get enough of Sheen's internet antics. He received many comments on the pictures he would post, most of which celebrating Sheen for his behavior. #tigerblood even became a trending topic.
But this is typical of how we view celebrities today. The more outlandish the behavior, the more the public is interested. Sheen had over 300,000 followers before he even had a picture in his profile.
The way American's idolize celebrities like Sheen will only encourage more of the same behavior. Why would Sheen change the way he acts if the public continues to praise him? The fact of the matter is that Sheen will become more famous and popular than ever because of this scandal.
He may get dumped from Two and a Half Men, but will likely find work elsewhere. There is a demand for that kind of crazy. But at what point are Americans enabling destructive behavior? Will it be the public's responsibility once Sheen finally hits rock bottom?
The answer is no. At the end of the day it is up to Sheen to turn his life around. But American's aren't doing much to help.
In less than 24 hours Sheen had over 900,000 followers. He posted pictures posing with his "Goddesses" and uses hash tags such as #winning and #tigerblood (whatever that means). Twitter followers couldn't get enough of Sheen's internet antics. He received many comments on the pictures he would post, most of which celebrating Sheen for his behavior. #tigerblood even became a trending topic.
But this is typical of how we view celebrities today. The more outlandish the behavior, the more the public is interested. Sheen had over 300,000 followers before he even had a picture in his profile.
The way American's idolize celebrities like Sheen will only encourage more of the same behavior. Why would Sheen change the way he acts if the public continues to praise him? The fact of the matter is that Sheen will become more famous and popular than ever because of this scandal.
He may get dumped from Two and a Half Men, but will likely find work elsewhere. There is a demand for that kind of crazy. But at what point are Americans enabling destructive behavior? Will it be the public's responsibility once Sheen finally hits rock bottom?
The answer is no. At the end of the day it is up to Sheen to turn his life around. But American's aren't doing much to help.
Senior Gift: Cash Please
If you are a senior, you have undoubtedly been bombarded with email and phone calls about contributing to the senior class gift. The annual gift to the university has provided UNCW with items such as the clock tower (2000), the water feature in the Fisher Student Center (2006), and the aquarium in Randall Library (2008). So what will students be providing the UNCW campus with this year? A check.
Yes, UNCW is just asking for money. No gaudy sculptures or statues. No water fountains or structures. UNCW wants what it has been taking from you for four years: cash.
But what this senior class gift lacks in pizzazz, it makes up in practicality. Seniors who wish to participate in the gift have the choice of where to spend their money. Seniors can give directly to a specific areas or departments such as The Cameron School of Business, The Center for Marine Science, The College of Arts & Sciences, The College of Health and Human Services, Graduate Programs, and The Watson School of Education.
Donations can also go to specific student programs, including international programs, the Division of Student Affairs, Williams Madison Randall Library, The Seahawk Club (which supports athletics), Honors Scholars, and The Office of Campus Diversity. Seniors can also donate directly to the UNCW Fund, which is an unrestricted source of funding that areas that are needed the most. According to the Campaign for UNCW, “Unrestricted gifts allow the university the ability to take on new opportunities, strengthen ongoing programs and meet immediate and critical academic needs that are not met by other funding.”
The evolution of the senior class gift is similar to a child’s birthday. When you are young and money isn’t important, you want shinny toys to show off to your friends. But eventually you get to the age where all you ask for is money. Well it looks like UNCW is growing up, or is at least strapped for cash.
This type of senior class gift isn’t new to UNCW. In 2008 seniors had the choice to either donate to the Randall Library aquarium or to donate to a specific area of UNCW. 64 percent of those who donated chose the aquarium, while 36 percent chose to support other areas of campus.
Then in 2009 and 2010 seniors were encouraged to donate to a specific area of campus or the UNCW Fund. 2009 was the most successful year in terms of senior giving; 25 percent of seniors participated and over $13,000 was raised.
So far over 250 seniors have donated this year, which is 10.2 percent participation. The Campaign for UNCW is hoping to break the 25 percent mark set in 2009.
Yes, UNCW is just asking for money. No gaudy sculptures or statues. No water fountains or structures. UNCW wants what it has been taking from you for four years: cash.
But what this senior class gift lacks in pizzazz, it makes up in practicality. Seniors who wish to participate in the gift have the choice of where to spend their money. Seniors can give directly to a specific areas or departments such as The Cameron School of Business, The Center for Marine Science, The College of Arts & Sciences, The College of Health and Human Services, Graduate Programs, and The Watson School of Education.
Donations can also go to specific student programs, including international programs, the Division of Student Affairs, Williams Madison Randall Library, The Seahawk Club (which supports athletics), Honors Scholars, and The Office of Campus Diversity. Seniors can also donate directly to the UNCW Fund, which is an unrestricted source of funding that areas that are needed the most. According to the Campaign for UNCW, “Unrestricted gifts allow the university the ability to take on new opportunities, strengthen ongoing programs and meet immediate and critical academic needs that are not met by other funding.”
The evolution of the senior class gift is similar to a child’s birthday. When you are young and money isn’t important, you want shinny toys to show off to your friends. But eventually you get to the age where all you ask for is money. Well it looks like UNCW is growing up, or is at least strapped for cash.
This type of senior class gift isn’t new to UNCW. In 2008 seniors had the choice to either donate to the Randall Library aquarium or to donate to a specific area of UNCW. 64 percent of those who donated chose the aquarium, while 36 percent chose to support other areas of campus.
Then in 2009 and 2010 seniors were encouraged to donate to a specific area of campus or the UNCW Fund. 2009 was the most successful year in terms of senior giving; 25 percent of seniors participated and over $13,000 was raised.
So far over 250 seniors have donated this year, which is 10.2 percent participation. The Campaign for UNCW is hoping to break the 25 percent mark set in 2009.
Friday, February 11, 2011
The Power of Social Media
It is amazing to see how the impact of social media has changed our society. I remember when Myspace was launched and everyone found a new way to connect/spy on their friends. After everything that has happened in Egypt over the last few weeks, social media has proven to be a force for social change and an outlet in which to organize political protests.
Wael Ghonim, a Google Executive, acknowledged he was a driving force behind the Facebook and YouTube campaigns that sparked political protests Cairo's Tahrir Square. Tens of thousands of people gathered together and successfully brought down the leader of their country, and the plan was organized by Facebook. To me, that sounds CRAZY. Do you think Mark Zuckerberg, drunk in his Harvard dorm room, ever imagined his social network could have ever become this influential?
We have even seen the power of social organization by Facebook here at UNCW. Last semester, during final exams, one UNCW students organized a rave in Randall Library where over one thousands students participated. At the end of this video the organizer of the "Randall Rave" talks about the impact Facebook played in informing UNCW students.
It is clear that social media is now the driving force behind social gatherings. From as small at getting people together for a birthday party to organizing political reform, the impact of social media cannot be understated. It is no longer just a social tool and an alternative to face-to-face communication.
Egypt has potentially set an example for other nations who also feel persecuted by their government. Facebook and Twitter can now become tools for other oppressed countries to organize political protests. The possibilities of social media are limitless.
Also, on a complete side note, my girlfriend decided to get the puppy. We are going to pick him up this afternoon!
Wael Ghonim, a Google Executive, acknowledged he was a driving force behind the Facebook and YouTube campaigns that sparked political protests Cairo's Tahrir Square. Tens of thousands of people gathered together and successfully brought down the leader of their country, and the plan was organized by Facebook. To me, that sounds CRAZY. Do you think Mark Zuckerberg, drunk in his Harvard dorm room, ever imagined his social network could have ever become this influential?
We have even seen the power of social organization by Facebook here at UNCW. Last semester, during final exams, one UNCW students organized a rave in Randall Library where over one thousands students participated. At the end of this video the organizer of the "Randall Rave" talks about the impact Facebook played in informing UNCW students.
It is clear that social media is now the driving force behind social gatherings. From as small at getting people together for a birthday party to organizing political reform, the impact of social media cannot be understated. It is no longer just a social tool and an alternative to face-to-face communication.
Egypt has potentially set an example for other nations who also feel persecuted by their government. Facebook and Twitter can now become tools for other oppressed countries to organize political protests. The possibilities of social media are limitless.
Also, on a complete side note, my girlfriend decided to get the puppy. We are going to pick him up this afternoon!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
To Adopt or Not to Adopt
No, not a child--definitely not. My girlfriend of three years is having a birthday soon and I want to get her a really awesome gift. For years she has expressed that she wants a puppy, but being on the UNCW volleyball team has kept her from being able to fully commit to owning an animal. Now that her senior season is over, I thought it would be the perfect time for her to own a dog.
So I contacted my sister, who works for an animal hospital, and asked her if she knew of any dogs who needed adopting. She found the puppy shown above.
He is four months old and weighs 15 pounds. He is half cocker spaniel and part pug/beagle and probably won't end up weighing more than 25 pounds when he is grown. And since my sister works for an animal hospital, she would make sure the dog has all its shots, provide crate/toys/leash, get it neutered, and give 12 months of heart worm, tick, and flea prevention medicine.
I didn't want to surprise my girlfriend with the dog so I told her about the opportunity I came across and informed her of how my sister would help with the expenses. At first, she was really excited. But then she started to analyze the the decision and began asking questions like: Is now the best time to own a dog? Am I ready for the responsibility? What if the dog gets sick and I can't afford an operation?
So rather than presenting what I thought was an exciting opportunity, I have created a dilemma that has caused my girlfriend to question her maturity and evaluate if she is capable of caring for another life.
To me, she is overanalyzing the decision. I know she would be a great mother for this dog and the transition into becoming an animal owner will be easier than she thinks. But ultimately I know that she has to decide if she is ready for this responsibility.
So on Friday, we are driving to Raleigh to visit my sister and see the dog in person. I am hoping that my girlfriend will realize that the dog is a good decision and she and I will have a puppy to play with--but I know that is a selfish way to think.
Honestly, I am just hoping she will realize how independent and responsible she really is and that she is mature enough to take on this type of responsibility. But we will just have to wait until the weekend.
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