Well, if you've stopped by to see my resume, then you already know what degree I received from the University of Minnesota at Morris. And you may think you have a pretty good idea of what I went to school for. But you may be surprised to know that my resume, and degree are misleading. Shall I explain?
I first enrolled in college in 1995 to get a degree in English, and go on to a career in writing. I wanted to write for Vibe, the Hip-Hop magazine, more than anything, and if that wasn't in the cards, then I wanted to be a photo journalist - still having the opportunity to write. I used my writing skills a great deal to express myself, so I decided early that this was what I wanted to do as a career.
After a couple of years in school, it became apparent that although I still loved to write, I didn't want to do it to earn a living. I became restless with it, some might say "bored." I then began a tailspin of confusion as I found myself not only major-less, but directionless as I gave up the one career idea I'd had for over 5 years. So, I thought I'd just go along with the English major until I found something else.
In my Junior year, I enrolled in a class called "Intro to TV Broadcasting," and that set my brain in motion again. With Professor Burke and a handfull of other students, I set out to explore the world of television - something I'd never even given thought to. And I almost didn't give it a chance, because I had taken another broadcasting class that almost turned me off of it completely. It was more centered on rhetoric, and the written history of media, which bored me. I wanted to do something hands-on, so rhetoric was not the class for me - but "Intro" was. In that class, I got to do all the hands-on stuff that I really wanted to do, and that opened my eyes to broadcasting. Suddenly I knew what I wanted to do, so I set out to take more classes in it.
Eventually I decided that although I no longer wanted to go into English for a career, I would still graduate with an English major. I felt that I had already put so much time into an English major that it was too late to change majors. I also picked up Speech Communications as a minor. I hoped that that arrangement would be enough for me to break into television, since there was no Journalism major at Morris. I graduated, and set out to break into tv with no experience.
I got a job at KARE 11, NBC in Minneapolis, as a production assistant, able to get a better insight into what I wanted to do. I decided to become a producer, and formulated these career goals:
Enter the training program NBC offers, entitled "Producer Plus," which teaches a person, with little or no experience in television, to be a producer.
After completing the program, become an assistant producer,or if possible, move into a producer position.
Produce for three years, most likely at an NBC station, enhancing my writing skills.
Pursue career as an Executive Producer.
Become Senior Executive Producer.
Become Vice President of News.
Pursue goal of buying my own television station.
Take over the world! (Admittedly, this one will take some time.)
I also have a love for radio dee-jaying that flourished during my years as a college d.j. I would also love to pursue a career as a professional d.j., eventually becoming a program director, and owning my own station.
Right now, television is my chosen career path, so I'm concentrating on advancing there. However, I have such a love for music that dee-jaying may soon take the forefront. Only time will tell which path I decide to follow.
