As Dec. 12, the day of graduation (6 p.m. see you there!), slowly but surely approaches, the reality of the “real world” waiting on the other side of the stage is a bit overwhelming.
The state of the economy isn’t encouraging for the broadcast journalism field; budgets and jobs are being cut left and right.
My dream of continuing as a radio DJ has been shattered by the news that Steve Harvey, Rickey Smiley and Keith Sweat’s horrible syndicated radio shows have replaced live talent on local radio stations across the region.
I guess it’s cheaper to broadcast garbage than give jobs to those with real passion for the industry.
Working in a newsroom this past summer, I saw first hand the budget cut’s blow to the journalism industry.
Watching an anchor clock in, only to get axed before show time, was a sign of the harsh certainty that everyone is expendable when it comes to the ‘almighty dollar.’
Seeing employees of a news station there one day and gone the next doesn’t encourage me to dive headfirst into the work force.
It’s an indicator that if you won’t work for cheap, you won’t work.
The state of the economy doesn’t allow a person the option of joblessness, not when people are receiving letters saying energy costs will increase by the end of the summer.
I hear my fellow journalists planning for real estate licenses. News flash- nobody is buying homes!
A person has a better chance of working for Diddy, than selling a house to him.
Ed McMahon’s house is being foreclosed on- and he used to hand deliver million-dollar checks. So kill the real estate idea.
I figure the best option for success right now will be graduate school.
Think about it and it makes sense.
I can attend another university and obtain additional degrees while the government foots the bill, through federal loans and grants.
Sure, it’s a couple more years of exams and assignments with uncooperative group members.
But it’s a chance to better educate myself and prolong the treacherous journey into the financially unstable “real world.”
Yes, I’ll continue to work two jobs to pay my personal expenses while in school.
It’s better than working at some fast food joint as my degree collects dust or even worse, not having a job at all, spending post-graduate days sleeping and clubbing.
Listen up “real world.” You won’t find me in-between jobs with a degree decorating my momma’s house.
I’ll be sitting in graduate school, becoming a better journalist and graphic designer as I take in everything higher education has to offer.
And when this economic hardship passes, I’ll be there with another degree, ready to take on the challenges you have ready to throw my way.
Terrence Ward is a senior broadcast journalism student from Miami. He can be reached at famuanopininons@gmail