Erin

The end of Summer, the beginning of my last year.

I'm back from my blogging sabbatical, ready to start a new school year. Well, not ready, but I'll go ahead and start anyway.

Let's take a look at the impression I have of my classes so far:

1 History of Journalism: Like a REAL history class, a lot of reading, writing, and a lot of dropping by lazy students. Unfortunately, you come across a lot of lazy students in Journalism classes. I'm not sure why, it's a pretty intense career. Anyway, this gem is taught by Bill McGraw, who is a passionate teacher, always willing to talk shop. Although today is his last day at the Free Press. He will be missed I'm sure.

2. Copywriting and Producing for Electronic Media-This is a requirement for tv/radio production classes. I thought it would be news writing, but it's more like commercials. Charlie Meyers keeps in informal in her class, but a lot of the students are really immature, and it gets away from her from time to time. Meyers runs campus video, so if you're in that and know her personally you can basically get away with anything. I'm ten kinds of sick of it.

3. Intro to Journalism-The only reason I'm taking this is because it's a requirement. Also, M.L.-I busted-Kwame-and-won-a-Pulitzer Elrick is teaching the class! I'm so excited that not only is he a good teacher, but he's a cool and funny guy. It's mostly journalism pro's in this class, so he doesn't have to take it slow, which is cool. Seriously, take him if you can.

To update ya, yes I am still working myself to death, but there have been some developments! I'm no longer on campus. By some miracle I got a really good paying job out in Ann Arbor, along with a class line up that is totally 6-9. So I'm working enough good hours to move out of my Dad's house and really tackle some of my debt.

Now to my complaining: I am driving 100+ miles a day from working Ann Arbor, going to school in Dearborn, and living in Clawson (which I'll get to in a minute.) I work seven days a week right now, but I'm just grateful as all hell to be living in Michigan and able to find jobs. My crazy lifestyle is starting to wear on me.

My new job is with a Yoga supply company called Yogapro. It's really interesting, and after three months I was given a promotion and more hours! Plus I love yoga, so I can really get into the swing of things here. It's really worth the drive. I'm finding data analysis and media buying and marketing really interesting. It's empowering, to use math to come up with media and communications strategies for my company. I've never been good at math, I've always been paralyzed with the thought of doing anything math related. But now, it's like magic. I understand what I'm doing. I really love my job.

I find it so interesting in fact that I'm losing, heck, I've lost my desire to do journalism. Remember last year? I was all about news reporting and information. But now I'm losing it. I can't stand the way the health care debate has been handled (by the press, the public, and the president) and I'm realizing more and more that using my skills somewhere that isn't journalism is going to give me a better job and I won't feel dirty or low. I need to work to live, not live to work. Being a journalist, it bleeds into everything. Late nights covering crime scenes or court appearances. Is that really something that I want? I've never been little miss 'marriage, family, white picket fence.' But a real life would be nice. I could use a better paying job to do stuff like move somewhere interesting and travel.

This is a problem because I'm in the middle of a second internship with WDET, and I can't bring myself to care about it. I have good excuse for not staying all day, but for the first time in 3 years I would rather be somewhere else then the radio station. It's a real crisis of conscious. Maybe I'm just tired from the stress of life, but I really feel disconnected from my old love. Lady journalism may not be for me anymore. 

Right now I'm also moving, which just keeps me away from the station even more. It's a really big move. I'm moving in with my boyfriend Trevor, and not only have we never lived together, but I've never lived with any boyfriend.It's really exciting/scary

Oh what's that? Class? Well, as you know, this year is the 50th birthday of our dear University, which is very cool. Since I no longer work at the paper (see above for reasons.) and I no longer work on campus I was looking for something to get involved in. Luckily, they need a lot of us COMM kids to do work on Sustainability Day, the new JASS program, and the 50 year anniversary. So I am still kicking around. I recently went to a strolling dinner at the Fairlane Estate, where lots of donors, professors, students and movers and shakers rubbed elbows between drinks and dessert. It was alright. Fairlane was the real star of the show. It is BEAUTIFUL in there. 

So good luck readers. Welcome to another year at the University of Michigan Dearborn. It's my last, which makes me both happy and sad. Let's see if I can make it through this one with as much poise and grace as the last.

Remember Summer Vacations?

Hey all, I'm going to post once in a while as summer gets on.

So I actually found a full time gig this summer (oh dream of dreams) at a yoga supply company in Ann Arbor. So I'll be working myself to death again this year. The bf isn't 100% happy about this, but it's important to do.

So my fall looks like this:

Each Monday I work with The Michigan Journal all day and then go to class at night, during the rest of the week I'll be working 8-5 in Ann Arbor, and then running down to Dearborn in time for class (all my classes are at night this semester! Hence, the real job.) I'll be working Friday at the station (I got a 3,000 dollar scholarship to work their as a journalists! How sweet is that?) and probably working weekends at my new full time gig to make sure I get all those juicy sweet hours.

I might have to quit the paper. Which is an awful thought. I would rather work for that paper than work for my full time gig, but I need the money! Being an editor at the paper actually does pay, but the pay comes at the end of the semester (gag) and that doesn't help me now!

I'm gonna have to figure it out soon. They're pretty sweet here, and I actually believe in the products I'm working with, (not like when I was working at Radio Shack, and I was being asked to sell 80 year old men who had just come in looking for a fuse picture phones and other ridiculous crap.) Here's the website for the place I'm working at. I love my yogatoes! That's not just a shameless ploy. They have really helped my messed up feet, my messed up back, and my poor balance while doing yoga. Seriously.

International Communications....

I'm here working at the station, doing the board op thing rather than the reporting thing, and working on my project for international communications.

The project has alternated between too much and too little, and I think I have it in the goldilocks zone. It's about 3-4 minute Feature about how the world of bloggers and the world of professional journalism collide in the metro area. It's turning out to be a really strong piece; it's now just putting the tape together. I might put a video together with it, something simple. I'm glad I decided not to do a website, which would have been cool but a ton of work.

International Communications is a class where you study transnational media for the first half, and community media in the second half. Woodward teaches it, and he's a great prof. He really makes you think for yourself and challenges your way of thinking. I wish more teachers were more intelligent.

One, Two, Three strikes your out!

Happy opening day everyone!

Normally I would be down there at the ball park, letting all the pitchers know that they are indeed, nothing more then belly itchers, but I was out of work yesterday with a sprain and so I have to go to work today. I am a responsible lady. Even though the sweet call of Tiger Stadium calls me home to the city of my birth (No, I will not call it Comerica park, especially since Comerica barely even has offices in town anymore. I'm not a fan of naming ballparks after industries. The only time it is acceptable is for Fenway.)

I've also registered for classes, though there are no journalism classes in the summer this semester as they are revamping the entire program. I was majoring in both Electronic Media and Journalism (basically a double major) but now they're creating a new JSS (Journalism and Screen Studies) program, meaning everyone, whether they want to or not, will have an electronic journalism education. I am all for this, I'm just bummed that they created this new great major right before I graduate! But it's fine; I've pretty much taken all the classes they are offering for this major.

If you are interested in my Fall line up, here it is. The best part? All of these classes are at night! So I'll be able to transition to a real job from school fairly seamlessly.

History of American Journalism
Writing and Producing Electronic Media
Intro to Screen Studies
Intro to Essential Journalism

I actually skipped intro to journalism so I could take Advanced Journalism this semester. I know how to write a lede and a nut graph after all. Yet, I need the credit to graduate, so I shall be taking an intro class to something I already know how to do! It's silly, but there's no test out for news writing.

Also I'm happy to report that being copy editor at The Michigan Journal is still a barrel of laughs, though most of the editors aren't coming back next semester. It's a difficult job, but it means moving up in the ranks for me. I'm hoping to get perspectives editor, which would be a sweet gig. I already write a perspectives column every week. Some weeks lately I have two or three columns just to help fill space! I don't get it, why are there journalism students in my school who refuse to practice actual journalism? Do they think they're going to pop out into the world, fully formed and fledged, and become ace reporters? In journalism, it's experience that counts. While working on the MJ isn't exactly covering the mayoral race, it's still work in writing, editing, layout, and the works.

It really frustrates me. It's sad to see so many kids giving up on the dream of being journalists as well because all they're told is that the industry is dying. It's not dying, it's changing in fundamental ways, and it's going to be really exciting to see what happens. This is a bigger change then when Guttenberg started his printing press. I know that may seem like I'm glorifying the Internet a bit, but really consider how it has fundamentally changed out lives. It's really incredible.

As for me, there's no more exciting place to be than a journalist right now, right here. Detroit is a great city to flex those writing and news finding muscles. I guess I'm just more enthusiastic about journalism then most, but then you can usually find me at my post in the library reading Columbia Journalism Review and The Economist.

Oh, and I'm still at the radio station. I was laid off for about three days and the hired me back to host and do weekend board operations. You can hear me from 5 am to noon Saturday and Sunday. Plus I have a story go out over the airwaves every once and a while still. Hopefully I'll be able to get back into that soon.

Take care all. Enjoy this wonderful spring day!

 

Your new Copy Editor has arrived.

Yes yes, please hold your applause until the end of the blog post. I finally made it onto the editorial board of the Michigan Journal! How cool is that! This was told to me around the time when I was on the cusp of a mental break down. It sort of pulled me back from the brink. Another thankless job for me to tackle! No, no, thank you Michigan Journal.

I know that sounded snarky, but I really am excited. It looks very good on a resume that you fought your way up to an editorial position on your school newspaper, especially at a school like U of M.

I'm still trying to stave off complete financial collapse. This weekend might be my last weekend working at WDET as weekend board op. While many of you WDET fans are currently rejoicing, I find myself in a bit of a pickle. I am someone with a great need to pay bills with very little means at the moment. While I know I'm not the only one singing this particular variation of 'woe is me' in Michigan right now, I can't help but feel sorry for myself, and a little scared.

I applied for a job in

Livingston

County

at a radio station. I would do so very very well at this job! I really hope they at least give me a chance to interview and prove how capable and passionate I am. I gave a pretty good resume, with really good references and pieces. I like the

University

of

Michigan Dearborn

because it's so practical. They've given me tons of opportunities to pad my resume. Although the really good opportunities you usually have to find yourself.

I feel like I've only begun to get my hands dirty in the process of clawing my way into a real job in Broadcast Journalism (or any journalism for that matter.)

It's hard right now, but I have hope. More than I can say for the past few weeks. I'm not the praying type, but if anyone reads this, please feel free. I need all the help I can get.

Crisis adverted. Return to your homes and places of business.

Okay, so I may have been a little hasty in maligning the communications program here at the University. But first, the obligatory update of how my spring break was.

It was lousy.

Okay, moving right along.

More? Really? Alright.

Monday I worked...at school. Tuesday I can't remember. Wednesday I worked at the radio station on my feature about print journalism and new media and where those two branches of media collide in the city of

Detroit

. Thursday I did nothing, and it was wonderful. Friday I worked at the school. Did that description seem short? Try living it.

Okay, so not all bad. I got to spend time with my SO (so wonderful, that fella) and my SC (significant Cat) who is also wonderful, and so cute it hurts! (I plan for that to be the only reference to my cat's cuteness in this blog for the rest of 2009. No reason this has to turn into a girly cat gush fest.)

So I have forgiven the Communications department here at the University, but only a little bit. For you see, these pinnacles of communications study, professors with years of experience who are trying to set a higher bar for all us COMM kids, failed to communicate changes they were making to the major. What? Yes. There is poor communication between the communication department and the communication students.

So basically there aren’t any journalism classes this summer, this much was still true and unforgivable. Due to that fact I will have to take 16 hours this fall rather than my regular 12. However, there are a slew of COMM classes scheduled for the fall, they're just no long listed as COMM classes rather JSS classes. You can see where I was confused. If only there was some way to keep students up-to-date on these going ons in the Communications department. Like a email list, or a website that's updated often.

Also, they haven't come out with the new requirements for my major, which sucks because I might actually get to do LESS course work than I'm currently scheduling for myself (for those of you playing the home game, I have 139 hours to complete for my double major. Normally you need 120 to Graduate. This is due to my well documented mascocism.) Once they come out with the new requirements I have to do another senior audit to figure it all out.

I know that getting the run around when you are close to graduation is the norm, but what the heck? Isn't it kind of early? I've only been a Senior for one semester!

Also my job at the station as the weekend board op may be coming to an end this weekend. As my sign off, I'll be doing news, traffic, and weather updates for the first time live on-air. If you have an urge to hear what I sound like, check out 101.9 WDET this weekend.

I went to WDET yesterday and had a blast. I can't stress the awesomeness of that place enough. We had a great time laughing about text messages and Monica Conyers. If you are interested in journalism or broadcasting work for them. It's the best thing you can do.

I won't comment on our approaching doom since you probably hear about it all already. Buy gold, bury it in the back yard, tell no one.

Point taken

I've been waiting since the beginning of Winter Semester to see what classes I can take in summer and fall. Having to register for both summer and fall at the same time is something that annoys me to no end, but something else is annoying me even more today. For you see, I am suppose to graduate in 2010, and currently there are NO COMMUNICATION class that I can take. This poses a problem for you see I was planning to take at least 6 summer credits so I could make it to that glorious finish line. Now I have no idea what I'm going to be able to take. All I need now is comm class and one credit of french. What do you do when your school doesn't offer what you need to graduate? Hopefully the classes released today are only preliminary and more courses will be added. If not, I have no idea what I'm going to do. Study abroad? Graduate in 2011 (at the embarrassing late stage age of 24)? I don't know.

Not that I am looking forward to entering the great big world with nothing but a paltry communications degree under my belt. Today the Rocky Mountain New closed it's doors forever. Everyone is talking about the death of journalism. I read a six page article about how screwed the industry is in The New Republic today. Six pages? you say. Surely there must have been graphics, pictures and graphs to eat up so much space. The was none. It was six straight pages, four columns to a page, about how stupid it is to try and get into journalism right now. Horrah! I am need to start looking into plan B: Library School.

So it was a depressing day. Not just because the lovely thunderstorms turned back into snow. The only bright spot of the week is that this is spring break. Which really means nothing to me because I have to work at school Monday and Friday and I'm working at the Station on Tuesday. I am currently trying to get a editorial position on the paper, but things look bleak.

I just feel like I'm working so hard for nothing. It doesn't even look like I'll be getting a degree any time soon. Funny, the week started out so hopefully.

Happy Mardi Gras.

Is never ending! I hate this time of year. The February/March interchange is punctuated by driving snow, throaty coughs and midterms. Everyone and everything seems tired. I haven't needed a spring break so badly in years! Thank goodness this one is coming up fast.

I'm working on a lot of projects. In International Communications I'm putting together a radio piece about where community, bloggers and professional journalist converge. I'm hopping to put it on air at some point, though that may not happen. Anyway, I've gotten good response from a lot of the journalists and bloggers in Metro Detroit and out in Ann Arbor/Ypsi way. I've got a lot done on my paper for this class (which was only one of four or five A's in the entire class).  This class is taught by Wayne Woodward, one of my favorite Profs. He's really challenging and passionate. If only he wasn't teaching PR classes =(.

Advanced Reporting continues to be kind of a joke. Really easy. Nothing really advanced about it. It feels a lot like my copy editing class, but with a lot less work. At least he lets us choose our topics, though half way through the semester we've only written one story that gets a grade. I wrote mine on race relations in the city of

Livonia

. Boring you say? Dry you say? Obviously you need to read about race relations in

Livonia

.

Geology. Oh geology. Bane of my existence. I wanted to get my science credit out of the way while not having to learn the parts of a cell or do too much math. Geology I thought. Rocks. How complicated could rocks be? Complicated folks. Really involved and complicated. Though I do strangely like the class, it may be the first indication that I am a machocist.

Detroit History and Culture: Very popular class. Why? Fulfills a history requirement while being really easy and moderately interesting. This class as a three hour sourjourn into the heart of

Detroit

sociological issues and poetry is a killer though. I have snuck out on more than one occasion. I love history however, and I love jazz and blues music, so this class has been steadily improving.

More proof of my machocistic nature? I revived my diet just in time for fat tuesday. Awesome. Though I'm not the biggest fan of Panczi, I am the biggest fan of irony.

Continue to write for the paper. I had an article on the front page two weeks ago! Very proud. A lot of people congratulated me on it. Pretty well received.

Happy Mardi Gras everyone. I'll check you guys out over the break. During which I will be working at the station, sleeping a great deal, and doing interviews.

Oy.

The long dark Michigan winter. February  and March are always the hardest. It's hard to get through all this mess and still care about class, but we must solider on.

I'm looking forward to getting a lot of work done during the break. Four classes have been real drag with the two jobs taking put the rest of my time. When I'm not sleeping or studying I'm at class or work.

I miss sunshine. 

Off to class I go. Hopefully I'll survive these winter blues and make it to spring break.

We are the keepers of this legacy

What an emotional and wonderful day today was on campus. Today Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. For the first time in a very long time, I felt united. I felt like there was hope to over come ignorance and evil. I felt like maybe the insanity of the last eight years could be forgiven, or at least some of the damage done could be reversed.

I covered the inauguration on campus for The Michigan Journal. In Kotchoff hall, there must have been over three hundred students, faculty and staff, all sitting perfectly quiet as the proceedings played out on the jumbo screens in the hall. Soon it was standing room only, and people were pouring out of the main hall and into the hallways for a chance to watch history being made. I know as a journalist I should aspire to have a perfect unbiased attitude, but I could not. Perhaps that comes with time. I got as quietly swept away as I could, only clapping a hand full of times and not cheering, though I wanted to scream and yell and proclaim what a good thing we had done and what a great man we had elected.

Yo-Yo Ma played the most haunting and beautiful piece. The music was specially arranged for Barack Obama's inauguration. In the middle of this magnificent cello orchestration a newscaster for CNN cut in and said 'We would just like to mention that it is now past noon and though he has not been sworn in Barack Obama is now officially the president of the United States".

The stirring silence was replaced with thunder of applause and cheering. But as quickly as it irrupted, the silence sank back in as the music played. There was perfect silence for the rest of the piece.  

When the chief justice asked all to rise for the swearing in for the president everyone in the hall jumped to their feet, ecstatic. The entire room laughed as President Obama fumbled nervously over the oath, Lincoln’s bible under his normally stead hand. After the swearing in the crowd cheered again.

The tears didn't come until the speech. True to form, Barack Obama gave a gut wrenchingly beautiful speech. Something I'm sure my children will be memorizing along with the Gettysburg address and JFK's Inaugural address. I saw many red rimmed tear filled eyes as he spoke of restoring America's place in the world and wiping away the divisive politics of old. I choked back a fair amount of emotion myself, realizing that for the first time in my adult life, I was proud to be an American. I was proud of America. Not because we elected a black man in a seemingly racist society, but because we elected someone with so much vision and compassion. We elected someone who can stare unblinkingly into the eyes of millions of Americans and with total conviction tell them that not only will we fix America, but that we will do it together. Not only that but, like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, we had the power all along.

Although there are the naysayers. The FOX network is already pulling apart Obama's speech, that was to be expected. It is the presses job to not fall in love with the government. I will soon have to pull my head out of the clouds and start asking hard questions of the administration myself. Still, as professionally aloof as I need to be, I am still part of this movement. I never will forget this day.