Getting accepted into the News Media program at BYU was a big deal... especially since Kenra felt like she wasn't all to good at anything else the school had to offer. Upon acceptance, she noticed that the BYU Universe [authoritative organization] was looking to hire some fresh blood in the news room.
"You know you have to have experience in these fields right Kenra?" Said Professor Walz. "Although I wouldn't be surprised if you were accepted based on the work you've already done. What is your experience like in reporting specifically?" [Influential event]
"Well, I haven't had too much experience, but I did do a few VO/SOT/VO's and packages for my high school during my senior year?... We had a great increase in viewership that year too." Brother Walz gazed skeptically from Kenra to the window, nodding as he thought. "Well you see Kenra, that experience is great, but this job requires a bit more than just high school experience. According to the application details you have to complete comms 321 that'll teach you how to report on a specific beat, retrieve database info. fast and gain a lot of skill in interviewing. Do you feel ready for a job that requires something like that?" [regulating standard]
Kenra gulped. She knew that it would be a big job to fulfill, but she was still confident in her skill to write and succeed at this job. With a little hesitancy she replied, "I'm currently in the 321 course. What else would be expected of me in this position?"
"You'd gain great abilities to work with peers in a high-stress-deadline-driven environment. Another big help in prepping for this position would be the comms 300 course which covers all media ethics and law. It's super helpful to know the in's and out's of each law so you make smart choices in those crazy situations." [authoritative publication] "Upon succeeding in these courses, I'm sure you will be fully prepared for more than one position in the newsroom."
Kenra contemplated the risk of applying for a job considering she hadn't completed the laws and ethics class yet. Dr. Walz started again, "You know Kenra, there's no harm in trying... in fact it might be good to at least get your name out there! Just remember that you'll be going up against students who have a lot of experience under their belts." [challenging authority/changing standards] Kenra sighed with a little relief at the faith her mentor had in her.
"Thank-you Professor Walz... I'll piece together the best resume I can muster and hope for the best!"
I love how you chose an authoritative organization/institution right here at our own university! Sometimes I think we perceive these authoritative institutions to be this ominous, untouchable, huge, out of our reach types of organization. But here you've nicely taken this idea and put it on a more real-word scale for us.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Chloe. Seeing that BYU has all these great organizations to help its students is a huge comfort, and less intimidating. I wrote about an organization that is known literally worldwide, so it's nice to see something a little closer to home.
ReplyDeleteI would love to understand more about the laws and ethics part because many people are more critical of how the media gets ahold of certain facts and not what the facts are exactly. I thought the post was very well written. Good job.
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