Guest Blog

Last week, our BJ2 class were privileged with two guest speakers. First, we were introduced to Michelle Hord White, who is Howard University alum. She went over her background with us. She described her previous work and everything she did leading up to the point she is at now in her career. She’s ‎Vice President, Talent Acquisition and Campus Programs at NBCUniversal, Inc. She has worked in the business for many years and learned a great deal. She told us to always know what we are getting into before starting at a new job. It is important to do your research because you might be getting into a situation that doesn’t benefit you and you might not grow as an individual. Also, I took away that if you want something, no one could get in the way of it but yourself. She then went over an opportunity to intern and gain work experience during the 2016 Olympics. This will be a great opportunity for someone. Unfortunately, I did not meet the criteria because I will have been graduated by 2016. One thing I took away is that everyone’s journey is different. You can’t compare yourself to anyone else because everyone’s path is different. If you are working hard at wanting to become better, you have to put the time and work in to get better. No one gets better at something they don’t work at.

            The following class we were privileged with another guest speaker. This time we chatted via Skype. We met and were able to hear Valorie Carter Lawson speak to us. Valorie Carter Lawson is a professional journalist and has been in the game for more than 20 years. She has reached expertise level in her field. Most of the topics we have discussed as a class she does on the everyday.  She has worked in both radio and television. We began going around the classroom telling her our ideas for our next reporter package. She instantly began giving each of us insight and feedback for our specific topics. It was fascinating to sit back and watch how fast she  would think of an interesting viewpoint of a potential story. One think I took away from her is to always tell a story. You have develop the thoughts and ideas you have. You have to take that next step and think of a component of a story that hasn’t been told yet. The details of the story are most important because the details are what the viewers and listeners will remember after watching your piece. The more thought that goes into your piece will make the story stronger.