The University of Blog

The beginning of the semester started with a bang. It is always overwhelming to look at a semester’s work from the beginning. Receiving syllabuses in each class and discussing tests, papers and work can be challenging to keep into perspective. However, I am trying to keep my schedule in perspective.

First of all, my Tuesdays and Thursdays will be manageable. I have one class (History of American Journalism and the starting time is 12:30. History of American Journalism is a required class for Journalism majors and will cover the history and trends of modern Journalism.

However, my MWF will be harder. I start at 8 a.m. I have never before had a class this early. On my walk to class, the street was empty. And cold. Today I had my Convergence Reporting class. This will probably take the most time. We rotate among the three news stations (KBIA, KOMU and The Missourian). My first shift will be at KOMU next week. Every other week we will work on group projects. I am looking forward to seeing the inner workings of all the newsrooms.

Journalism is all about communication. No matter the venue or the way of telling the story, reporting is still at the center of the field. Radio is going on the Internet. The Internet is going to phones. Phones are being used to upload stories to the Internet. All of this multimedia convergence is taking over the field. And reporters are tackling the challenges.

At SPJ we put on a convergence program with presenters that have worked in the multimedia field. They were not trained in online media, yet took on the new job descriptions since journalism is all about convergence.

Brent Martin, Managing Editor of MissouriNet discussed the problems of convergence including obscure working hours and increased workload with less funds to support those products. However, telling a story and communicating this is still the center of convergence. Jason Rosenbaum of the Columbia Daily Tribune, is a recent graduate and writes a blog for the newspaper. He spoke to the challenges of being a newspaper reporter as well as being a blogger. He said that once you get into the field, it is possible to learn how to take on the roles of convergence.

Our last speaker was Antionio French, Editor of PubDef, which is a St. Louis based political blog. French mentioned that this is really a product of today by feeling “cool and productive” through measuring the membership.and constant updates to get more readers.

I had the pleasure of attending the University Concert Series production of Mel Brook’s musical The Producers at Jesse Hall. My brother makes me so jealous when he says that he attended a performance of The Producers with Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane in Chicago before it opened in New York. However, I got to see the winner of twelve 2001 Tony Awards on Sunday night. Even though it was a traveling company without the original cast, it was absolutely fabulous and so funny. Easily one of the best Broadway shows that I have seen.
Dancing old ladies, sexual innuendos and colorful characters made the performance simply fabulous. I haven’t been able to go to enough professional shows this year. I remember when I as in highschool, we were able to get tickets for $5 and I would review the shows for the local newspaper. I miss this option. However, I hear that if a show is not sold out, that you can get a ticket for $6 for the remaining seats. I have not tested this theory, but the program is great.

Some upcoming shows include Evita, Kenny G, Moving Out, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hairpray and Ira glass. There is a diverse program and so many great show come into Columbia, it would be a crime to not take advantage of the great cultural offerings.

Despite the cold weather and my perpetual runny nose, I decided to go to the Media Fair this week. I did not feel in my best state of mind to go get an internship but thought that I could get good advice from the recruiters. The Media Fair is where recruiters come in and hold open interviews for students in the journalism school. I decided to get some advice on what I should do to prepare myself for a summer internship.

I learned that they look for students with experience in daily newspapers. Even though convergence is a great thing, the emphasis is still reporting and working on deadline. Recruiters like to see that potential interns can write especially on multiple deadlines as well as cover breaking news. This is the experience that I still need to gain.

Last night there was a newspaper reception with a more casual gathering. A forum on diversity followed this. Few students showed up to learn about the state of diversity of the media, but I learned that there is still a lot of work to be done to promote a diverse newsroom. This becomes especially important considering newsrooms are being reduced, which takes away the potential for hiring a diverse news staff.

All in all, I’m glad that I decided to go and learn what experience I need to gain to have a reputable internship next summer and the following summers.

I went to a one-man show Wednesday night and wrote an article for my news class about it:

The audience gasped, clapped and laughed as they traveled on Fosberg’s journey of self-discovery.
Freelance actor Fosberg opened his one-hour, one-man show “Incognito” Wednesday night at Jesse Hall. The show presents issues of race and identity against a sparse set and asks the audience to confront those issues.
After spending 32 years in a white middle-class family, Fosberg began to search for his biological father. His journey ended with the discovery that his father was black.
“I grew up white, thinking I was white and found out that I’m not,” Michael Sidney Fosberg said.
His play chronicles the experiences of finding and meeting his new family. He plays himself and 12 other characters.
Fosberg began touring schools two years after the show opened in Chicago in 2001. The number of schools that he visits has doubled every year since then.
What started as a one man show has become a cross-country journey of identity and race issues for Fosberg, who is always on the quest, as well as the audience who may just be learning about these issues.
“I make my living to provoke profound discoveries about race,” Fosberg said. “I feel like I’m really contributing by provoking questions about race. It is those moments that I love what I do.”
When Fosberg reveals the truth about his ethnicity, the audience is introduced to complicated issues of identity, race and stereotypes.
“It is at that point that people start to look at me differently,” Fosburg said. “People start to look for signs, and at the end of the show, I confront people. Perhaps there is a different way to look at race. I challenge people on those issues.”
Fosburg created a one-man play around his experiences to provoke profound discoveries about race. After reading aloud excerpts from his unfinished book, audience reactions influenced Foster to take his story to the stage.
With the support of the Mizzou Alumni Association, Counseling Center and Division of Student Affairs sponsored the event.
“It brought a greater awareness of identity,” junior Devona Moore said. “To find out who you are is difficult when you are from two different ethnic backgrounds.”
Counseling Center Psychologist Anne Meyer said the center helped bring this program to campus because it speaks to the university’s mission of diversity.
“I was so blown away by his story,” Meyer said. “Identity is such a complex topic, and it is performed in such an engaging way to challenge your own thoughts on who you are.”
Foster raises unanswered questions and opens the discussion about race by using his personal story as a springboard.
“What if we could be entertained and think about society,” Fosberg says about his performance. “I want people to have a good time and be provoked about questions of race and stereotypes.”
One member of the audience asked how Fosberg’s life has changed as a result of doing the show.
“My life has become richer and fuller,” Fosberg said. “I am in a place to provoke change.”

The insomniac tour of the Hirshhorn museum had live music as well as samples of Starbucks for an entrance fee of $12.
It would make sense that the Nation’s Capital is very accessible. The museums are free, the monuments are open late, and there are tons of local events available to the entire public. Just about the only closed aspect of the city are the politicians. Luckily we were not cooped up in the hotel all weekend and had time to explore this open city. Since I have been to D.C. several times, I did not feel a need to see the monuments again. I decided instead to follow my friend who interned for NPR this summer around to her favorite local sites. I am always to excited to explore a city from the perspective of a local.

We were able to go to eat Thai food in Chinatown, go shopping for some deals, and experience the nation’s capital by night. One restaurant, Rosa Mexicana, decorated with pink and leopard print, catered to the crowd looking for a chic place to eat. There were several carts there manned by guys who make the guacamole right in front of the tables. It doesn’t get better than that. Although it does when you can have free tacos at the National Press Club. We went a couple of times and I kept wondering who were those that were around me.

With our badges, we were able to meet other journalists at the National Press Club.

On Friday night, we went to the Hirshhorn, a modern art museum that spirals up through several stories of contemporary art like Morris Lewis. This was the “insomniac tour” of the museum complete with live music and then a DJ. Starbucks showed the flavor pairings for several of their blends of coffee and offered $5 gift certificates for the samplers. Of course, I am always up for a deal, and I had to partake. Then, if we had enough time we could have decorated canvas bags. I must say that this event gave me a taste of a sophisticated life.

Sunday morning we headed out to the Eastern Market on Capital Hill, which is a blend of a local farmers market as well as a flea market. Local vendors lined the street to sell their handmade jewelry as well as fresh produce. Even old shoes are available to the interested buyers. This event was the best way to be able to get a feel for how to it would be to live in D.C.

The local events mixed with the professional events provided a mini educational vacation. And in the mist of all the projects, midterms, and articles, this break could not be more welcomed and allowed me to get an idea of what I would like to do after college. It is a very clouded notion, but at least it is becoming more clear.

Discussing Watergate 35 years later, Bob Bradlee, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein present at the convention in D.C.
Citizen journalism is in. Blogging is in. Technology is definitely in when it comes to journalism. These and other trends I learned at the Society of Professional Journalists” Convention in Washington D.C. Hundreds of journalists used their reporters’ notebooks for a different cause- to record information at various classes from Oct. 4-7, 2007. This experience not only allowed our chapter to learn about how to get a job or how to report on various issues, but also allowed us to meet professionals in the field and realize that SPJ is so much bigger than just our group at Mizzou.

Among the classes that I went to which included a forum on climate change, how to take great photos, how to write interesting feature stories, my favorite sessions were the “super sessions” led by heavyweight journalists. One of these was by Ken Paulson, editor of USA Today, who led a class titled “From Superman to Subpoenas” that traced the cause of the “toxic” environment for journalists today as well as advice on how to unite a voice on 1st amendment issues to serve the American people. Editor Len Downie was also there to discuss the changing face and Internet presence of The Washington Post.

A big topic for this year’s conference was the federal shield law that is being debated in the Senate as well as the House and if it is necessary. Of course a majority of the crowd was definitely for the federal shield law. One forum brought in someone from the other side, which led to some heated discussion. One interesting fact was that Hurst had received 80 subpoenas last year alone. It definitely showed the trend of the government wanting the information that journalists have and the role of journalists to protect their sources.

The most attended session was with Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein discussing Watergate 35 years later. With them was Ben Bradlee (editor of The Washington Post at the time) as well as Scott Armstrong from the Senate Watergate Investigating Committee, Alicia Shepard (author of Woodward and Bernstein: Life in the Shadow of Watergate) and Daniel Shore from the dinosaur days of CBS moderated by Bob Schieffer of CBS. What a powerhouse! I felt so honored to even be in the same room as them. When they all took the stage, many rushed to take photos proving that celebrity journalism is indeed a reality. Hearing the stories around Watergate was amazing because that case broke the idea of regularity in government and brought the importance of the watchdog role of journalism to light.

Taking a call (or picking up a prestigious phone) at the National Press Club, I was among greatness with the photos on the wall.

Technology fails. I have not seen this as much as I have this week. I will see it a lot more in the coming weeks as I get deeper into my sequence. Apple Script errors are no fun, especially while under a deadline. My convergence website is coming along nicely. We learned Avid editing and how to embed that on our websites. I cannot wait until we put packages together.This week I worked to get my homework and projects done before I leave for Washington D.C. tomorrow for a Society of Professional Journalists convention.

Now that I’ve had time to think about the fact that I am leaving tomorrow, I am very excited. Unfortunately, our flight leaves very early so I will up to leave at 3:30 a.m. After our flight, we will take the metro to the Hyatt Regency and begin the four-day conference. Some highlights that I’m very excited for include Woodward and Bernstein’s presentation as well as professional development. Since I spent an hour at office Depot copying resumes yesterday, the hope is that I can come away with good contacts and a possible lead on an internship this summer. Good luck!

Friday night The Arcade Fire performed at Starlight Theater in Kansas City. We first ate at the Plaza and then enjoyed the music in the open-air theater. The music was absolutely awe-inspiring. They performed many of their songs off Neon Bible as well as the classics from Funeral. It was a complete show incorporating elements such as lighting and videos to make it a whole experience for the viewer.

LCD Soundsystem opened and got everyone very excited and pumped up for the show. Their music completely overwhelmed me. The bass was so intense that I actually felt it. Dancing and enjoying the music was great to get ready for Arcade Fire.

When Arcade Fire came on, the crowd went crazy. Even though we were far back, I was still able to get into the music through the stage show. They had cameras hooked up near each of the artists and big screens behind them to show various images. Arcade Fire actually put on a show rather than just a concert. It made the two-hour drive there and back worth it to see The Arcade Fire live. Easily one of the best concerts that I’ve seen.

I visited the Career Center for the first time. This was very helpful because I am going to the Society of Professional Journalists Convention in Washington, D.C. next weekend and I would like to have a quality resume to turn into prospective employers. I am not necessarily looking for a job, but I would love to have an internship for next summer. Preparation as well as networking is key for securing an internship and gaining valuable experience so prevalent in the realm of journalism.

The Career Center offered such suggestions like to not use abbreviations and use dates for what I’ve done. One suggestion was to use inDesign to design the resume. This allows for more creativity because employers only spend about 30 seconds looking at a resume. A journalism resume allows a bit more creativity than a regular business resume, and at the Career Center, they have examples of both. Once I update my resume, I will stick it on here to provide some ideas.