In complete honesty, journalism is one of those majors I had crossed off my radar of potential majors in sophomore year, purely for the intense amount of writing. Evidently, I would change my mind.
Growing up, I had been involved in every theater production I could get cast in (or for crew). Therefore, I had always banked on majoring in Theater and going to the U of Michigan or U of Cincinnati. Reality, also known as my father, had pulverized my dream. He told me to instead
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A screenshot of raw footage from a 2020 MPTV episode that I hosted in my living room. |
become a doctor or lawyer. There would be no chance that would happen. Instead, my play director, the broadcasting teacher, persuaded me to be in her classes. During freshman year at Midland Park High School, I took Studio and Field Production, then naturally, moved into zero period Advanced Broadcasting. Zero period meant class at 7:15 am before homeroom, so you really had to want to be in broadcasting.
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Pictured is the MPTV crew of 2022-23 |
Advanced Broadcasting was in charge of both MPTV and the school newspaper: Panther's Pause. There, I eagerly awaited Monday morning production meetings, interviewing teachers, nit-picking editing, and being in front of the camera. Broadcasting became a profession I was decently proficient in while also enjoying. I always had the people skills for networking and a detail-oriented eye for quality work. Adrenaline in conjunction with being a cog in the newsroom machine was riveting. A career with a plethora of different specifications that I can master.
Approaching my senior year, truthfully, I had reasoned with myself why broadcasting would be the closest aspiration to theater. How I could have a reputation in entertainment while having a stable income… relatively. I found there were aspects I enjoyed more than others such as technical directing over subtitle tracking, yet learning it all would mold a well-rounded employee. That I could get behind, ergo, I genuinely became enthralled. I would be the gofer that generated a reliable reputation. The positive affirmations helped as well. When people asked me, “Why broadcast journalism?” I responded with months of contemplation. I wish to
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| The photo was taken at day one of Freshman Orientation, July 2023 |
become a field anchor who can report taboo or controversial topics from different areas of the world to widen the perspective of sheltered Americans. Nothing is more crucial to making a decision than perspective. In the back of my mind, I would never consider being a part of pre-, shooting, or post-production as settling. Every aspect is just as important as the other.
Proactive marketing in addition to unpassable opportunities brought me to High Point University. I sank my teeth into HPU Vision, Communication Fellowship, The Society of Professional Journalism, and theater. Every skill and new connection will bring me closer to my end goal. That is whatever time has in store for me. Que sera, sera.
