Month: May 2018

My Education Is Important

Throughout my entire life, I’ve been surrounded by multicultural people in school. From my elementary days all the way up to high school. Everyone in my family who had pursued higher education succeeded. It was only right that I did the same. Majority of my family members attended HBCUs. Even some of my teachers inspired me attended HBCUs. It was put into my mind that and Historically Black College University was the way at a  young age. I chose to attend the great Texas Southern University. The history of the school and the accomplished individuals inspired me to attend this University. It was a place of opportunity for me to grow, adapt, and learn.

Majoring in journalism my plans are to develop a brand and use my platform to have a for or an outlet to uplift the minds of others. Having an education is the key the having a higher end in life. In this people want to employ and work for those who are educated.

“Attending a Historically Black College was an experience of a lifetime,” my former orchestra teacher told me. My orchestra teacher Michael Smoot attended Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. Hampton was also the first place he learned how to play a string instrument in the violin. I still keep in touch with Mr. Smoot from time to time and I update him on how I’ve been doing and what are plans. Mr. Smoot is always more than glad to reach out help whether it’s giving me a piece of music to play or help tune my violin.

My grandmother attended Prairie View A&M University and went on to move to North Texas in Dallas pursue her career as an educator teaching elementary students. Being a proud alumnus of the historic Prairie View institution, her hearing the news that I was attending the arch-rival Texas Southern University she was not too happy. However, me being here for the past 4 consecutive years she has really come along in accepting that and fully supports me. My mother attended the great all women’s college in Atlanta, Georgia Spelman College. Getting her bachelors and masters in Biology she became one of the most recognized middle school science teachers of the Dallas Independent School District.

I understand that college is a place to make an impact and leave a legacy behind in your name.     My experience I have came across professors and students who have accomplished things in their careers and those who will soon be successful in their crafts as well. My intentions are to do just that. Seeing people in the community like John Lewis and Sheila Jackson Lee uplifting everyone has driven me to do better. I write for the TSU Herald Newspaper and plan to keep a good legacy on that to bring the news stories and supply the student body with great publications. Networking and partnering with others can sometimes be the beauty of things. I remember 2 years ago I ran into JerDadrian Henderson another communication major who wanted to me help him launch our production company called “1Supreme Mic.” A production company geared towards music and entertainment that gives artist and others the platform to gain publicity. You want to surround yourself with like-minded individuals.

TSU Communication Week Review

In the school of communication, we encourage students networking, getting involved with one another, and using all of their resources. During TSU communication it’s a week dedicated to all communication majors where events are held geared towards their professions. Communication week takes places in the Martin Luther King Jr. building on campus which is the home of the school of communication.

The week starts off with a music artist performance showcase hosted by ERM Alliance along with 9.09 KTSU Radio. Not only a good time for artists to showcase but also an opportunity for photographers, videographers, and journalists to get quick interviews to gather information for news stories. The rest of communication is followed up by panelist throughout week consisting of people who are currently in the industries of journalism, radio, television, film, and in the fields of entertainment recording management. Students allowed to have involved with hosting events, panels, and to showcase any projects they have in storage.

Some students cared to share their opinions and thoughts on communication week after their previous and current experiences. Many seemed to have the impression that communication is watered down with same panelist and events. Bryan Cooksey a Junior Broadcast Journalism major Collegiate 100 President gives his take on communication week.

“Well for one I think communication week needs a committee a team of students who plan the events for communication week. The students seemed to be involved but they’re limited to what happens,” Cooksey on what communication week is lacking. “During communication week they should give the students more say so.”

Paige Hubbard a Senior Broadcast Journalism major Fox 26 intern TSU Herald Executive Producer gives her take on how communication week can improve. “I highly respect communication week for the fact that I met my mentor from communication week who has helped molded me into who I’ve become from as a woman to a journalist,” Paige on what she’s gained from communication week. “What I do believe what they need to do is have the students display their work and then have the professionals critic them on their work. It can’t always be the same panelist not everyone has the same career path they like to pursue.”

The main purpose of communication week is for students to grasp knowledge from professionals and network. Communication turned out to be something that is good for the school of communication, however, something that has flaws and could use some improvement. Akil Williams Senior Broadcast Journalism major gives his thoughts on communication week.

“A lot people who are in the field of communication are not always newsroom journalist it would be nice we can get somebody whose big on Youtube or someone who is on Spotify,” Akil on communication week.

Akil Williams mentioned a few social media platforms that journalists and musicians use to display their content which is important. Youtube and Spotify are two platforms that people use that are highly recommended to use to get exposure.

Cameron Lee sophomore Radio, Television, and Film major who is a part of the TSU Studio production crew. “For me personally I’m more of a technical guy I have my hands on the device behind the scenes I work with my mentors so I learned from,” Cameron Lee gives his take on communication week. “I don’t gain my strengths from the panelist as for others may.”