Perfect Timing

Last week I was more of a reporter than a producer. After I put my stories into the run down, I headed over to the reporter’s classroom to hear a previous graduate student speak about her fairly new job working for the Oprah Network.

Heidi Stallings graduated from Columbia’s public affairs-based graduate journalism program not too long ago. Like any other person trying to find a job that fits perfectly for them, she hit a road block, but it was her passion and positive attitude that landed her a job working for the multi-million-dollar Oprah corporation.

Hearing her speak about her experiences while in the graduate program motivated and inspired me. I was having a pretty tough week and she honestly got me reenergized and back into the swing of things. Some of the things she talked about – staying positive despite negative energy around you, making the program work for you and your goals, sticking to it because you are learning skills that will help you in the long run, listen to you professors because they know what they’re talking about – hit me and made me think.

I thought about the time I felt unmotivated, I thought about the emotion I felt when a story I wrote got published and I also thought about my commitment to that story as I was passionate about the topic.

She also told us how beneficial it was to take Metro Minutes. I feel the same as Metro Minutes gives me a chance to tell stories in a different way. It allows me to put my skills to the test but in a more amped way. It’s not only writing but reliving a story through visuals.

Some people have a lot of negative things to say about the future of those wanting to pursue careers in media related fields, but Heidi is an example that it can happen.

Her talk came just at the right time. I’m excited to continue learning.