TimesCast

I just have to say I love the new TimesCast that plays on the New York Times. Everyday between 1 and 2 p.m. the New York Times features a video of the days top stories on their homepage. Simply amazing. I love that it is a short 5 to 6 minute clip of the biggest stories you need to know about and it also demonstrates how these stories are reported on in the newsroom. Viewers get an inside look into the meetings that decide the top stories as well as the chance to hear quick interviews with editors and reporters. What better way to get a quick glimpse on what is happening around the world?

Back to Reality

Now that spring break is over with, it is back to work for me. 5 weeks and counting.

Over break I went on a bit of a shopping spree. I just couldn't help it, with all the new spring clothes out on the racks, it's like they were calling my name to try on and take home! But after I spent a ridiculous amount of money on these beautiful spring clothes, I thought, I will probably never get to do this ever again after I graduate from college.

In all reality, my starting salary is going to be extremely low, and there is no way I am going to be able to afford the luxuries of life. Let's face it, journalists today don't make a lot of money, unless they are someone like Diane Sawyer. I'll probably have more than one job and will be working way too many hours. During my internship, my mentor was a recent graduate who had just entered the working world. I saw how much she worked and heard about how little she could afford. She said, "You better really love journalism and be sure this is what you want to do." Those words have been echoing in my ears for the past few days.

But I really do love journalism. And I guess there are just going to be some sacrifices I am going to have to make. So goodbye colorful, bright, way too expensive spring clothes. It was nice knowing ya.

The Journalism Student Wordle

First Great Podcast

Well actually, it's the second, but I think this story is better than the first. Bill Melanson works in the mail and copy center here at Endicott College but his true passion lies in playing drums. He has been playing since he was 13 and has traveled with a few bands. Currently, he is working with a band but he name of Waking Lazarus that plays Christian rock. Have a listen:

Calling ALL Journalism students

I am working on a podcast project about journalism students. After learning the basics of recording audio, I am finally ready to start this big podcast of about 5 episodes. I want to talk to other journalism students about why they chose to study journalism, how they feel about job opportunities after graduation, what special areas they are into, and much more. If you want to be part of my podcast, shoot me an email, I'd love to hear from other students facing the same struggles and pressures as I am.

There is a whole world out there

The other day I read this article from SPJ about joining the Peace Corps after graduation. It has always crossed my mind to join an organization like the Peace Corps but I never looked at it from a journalistic perspective. There is a whole world filled with stories and it would be so fun to tell these stories through the eyes of a Peace Corps worker. It's just another great thing to add to a resume, and it can set you apart from the competition.

Here's the article: Find a future in journalism with overseas' work

If it bleeds...

There is a huge gap in my blog posts, thought I should mention that is because I was in a snow mobile accident about three weeks ago. I was in New Hampshire visiting my aunt and uncle and decided to try driving one of their snow mobiles. I wasn't on it for five minutes before diving head first into a giant ditch with a boulder at the bottom. I don't remember any of the accident, just opening my eyes in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. In the end, I had a few facial fractures and a concussion, and now i am finally starting to catch up with all that I missed while on bed rest for ten days.
Every time someone asks me about what happened, I tell them this story and they stare at me in amazement. We all know that stories about a disaster of some sort make the headlines. Readers are fascinated with someone who has had to go through a horrific accident because it is unimaginable to put ourselves in their shoes. Although stores that "bleed"might be hard to read, they sell newspapers. Besides that, I think it is important for the public to understand the events that happen in our society everyday, including the bad and the ugly. After all, that's what a reporter is there to do, report a story and let the reader determine what it is they want to take from it.

"J-Schools to the rescue?"

This article was very interesting and it got me thinking, are journalism schools leading students to believe they can have a future in journalism when in reality a degree in this field is very risky?
Read it, its good: J-Schools to the rescue?

Something has to change in order for all the journalism students now to get a job in the future. With so many lay offs at the metro and local newspaper, journalists today have to be able to set themselves apart from the average reporter. The New York Times is teaming up with NYU to offer a program that allows students to cover a section on Manhattan's East Village. This is a fabulous idea. It's kind of like a step up from an internship, because you have the opportunity to work with your college peers on an actual daily paper. But will this make a difference when you are competing with peers for jobs come graduation?