Graduating the MediaPlex

Three years.

Some students who leave the MediaPlex next week will have been learning the art of journalism for three years.

Four hundred hours chasing stories, taking pictures, conducting interviews and preparing ourselves for the real world. Surrounded by the support and encouragement of our fellow students, journalists in the community, sources and professors, we both struggled and strived to reach our goals.
Now on the precipice of reality, where education ends and the real world begins much needs to be said to those who have changed me.

When I joined this program in September of 2013 I was an individual with a backround who was broken and didn’t seem to have much of a future. I had watched media for over 20 years twist, slant and manipulate the masses with selective facts from different sides of the political spectrum. I was angry that stories didn’t seem to be balanced anymore. I had always found a fascination in telling others stories so I wanted to become a journalist. When I joined and was asked I would outright say I wanted to be an investigative journalist who told a fair, balanced and factual story every time.

Six semesters of learning how to do that has turned me into a well… I don’t know.  Because of the course load here I have so many doors open to me. I can take competent photos, I love making documentaries, I love digging and I still don’t mind print. I am not leaving here achieving my goal of being an investigative print journalist, but I am leaving here with the knowledge of how to do that if I choose that path in the future.

I am leaving here as a video editor for a TV show. I am a documentary addict and love working in video and photography. I’m leaving here with a purpose, with confidence, with goals, dreams and a new family.

Over 90 weeks, the MediaPlex has become that extended family. My fellow students and teachers hold a special part inside of me that will never change. They have celebrated my accomplishments and lifted me up on my bad days. They know when you need your space and when you need that extra push. If that isn’t family then what is?

One million, four hundred and forty thousand seconds is how long I and six of my classmates have been in this building. I think it’s fair to say this building, this program and these people have changed us forever. I now know the beginnings of the art of journalism and can’t wait to thrive in the real-world.