Researching My Future Career

Being a graduating senior ,(Gasp! Graduation is less than two months away!) I have already begun the search for jobs, which I honestly should have started months ago. However, thanks to amazing professors such as Kathe Lehman-Meyer, I feel a lot better as to what my strengths are and how to find the career and future that I want for myself.

I’ve used various research tools and websites to help dictate where I want to be, and one of the beneficial websites I learned about at a previous internship at a Fox affiliate news station is called www.tvjobs.com. Obviously by it’s title, this website focuses on jobs in the television, cable, and even radio industry all over the nation. However, I have used it to take advantage of it’s resources in finding schools, fellowships, and scholarships in the journalism industry (as shown in the left corner).

Another job search website that I have found is extremely basic but helpful, is indeed.com. I came across this website after helping my older sister find a specific job, and I found that this website is extremely easy to use. Unlike other job search websites, this website does not require a profile to be made to search for jobs.

My final website that has helped me is gradschools.com. I have gone back and forth on the decision whether to go to graduate school or not, and websites like these help make the process easier. Not only does it provide good matches based on location, cost, and area of study, but they also have a number of resources available to assist you in the application process.

Of course, there are also countless other websites for these industries, but these are websites I use frequently and would recommend highly to others.

Reflections of a New Class

As I approach the end of the semester, I find myself reflecting on the classes and experiences I’ve gathered this semester. Between taking this class, taking a separate communications class (Survey of Mass Communication), and interning at a local news station, KABB Fox, I have learned learned a lot of new skills that I can take out into the real world of broadcast journalism, which is the field I ultimately want to end up in.

In a technological sense, I have learned a lot by using programs such as Sound Slides, Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, and video converters. Before this class, I had some experience using Final Cut Pro and Photoshop, but after this semester, I feel more confident than ever using these programs. They are still tedious to use, but I now have many tutorials that I can look back on if I ever need them in the future. It used to take me hours to edit video and audio in Final Cut Pro, but now, my time to edit has been cut dramatically due to skills I’ve learned in this class. I was also able to improve on my camera skills. I was already somewhat skilled in picture taking, but not in video capturing or photo editing. I was able to learn how angles can tell different stories, and how proper angles can catch the audience’s attention such as in our “Day in the Life” project.

Interpersonally, I feel a lot more open as far as asking for help from not only my professors, but classmates, as well. It makes me feel better knowing that I’m not the only one who struggles with ideas and creativity sometimes, and that it’s okay to express any concerns or worries.

Overall, I feel that my communication skills in telling a story to many people have improved dramatically. I’ve always been more of a writer of stories, but now I feel as if I would rather edit them and create them into visuals that people can actually see, not just read. My personal favorite project is the “Taste of STMU” video that I created, because I feel that is more compelling than just reading a recipe off of a paper. It makes the story more relatable and personable, and that’s what I loved about the video. I feel that I’ve learned so much in taking this class, and they’re skills and techniques I can use anywhere.

Scene on Campus: Lambda Pi Eta: First Induction Ceremony

 

On April 16th, 2014, Lambda Pi Eta held its first ever induction ceremony. Lambda Pi Eta is the National Communication Honor Society and the organization was given a good start due to Katherine Hampsten, who is a professor at St. Mary’s University and also serves as the adviser for the organization. Hampsten has big goals for the new organization, and hopes that the students who were inducted into Lambda Pi Eta will benefit greatly from being a part of the organization.

Rosemary Chicken

Here is a video I made for my school’s blog, Taste of STMU. Everyone should try this recipe, not only is it easy to make, but it is DELICIOUS!!!

Rosemary Chicken by Vanessa Benavides
Videography and Production by Analissa Cantu

St. Mary’s University alumna Vanessa Benavides, Spring 2013, shows us how to cook a simple, yet elegant dinner of Rosemary Chicken. She also tells us why Rosemary Chicken is a convenient dish that can impress anyone, and why she loves to cook so much.

Rosemary Chicken – Serves 2 – 3 

• 1 lb. of Chicken Breast
• 5 Small Red Potatoes
• 1 tsp. of Salt
• 1 tsp. of Minced Garlic
• 1 tsp. of Rubbed Sage
• 1/4 tsp. of Coarse Ground Black Pepper
• 2 tbsp. of Olive Oil

Directions:

First, defrost the chicken breast in a sink and wash all red potatoes. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Mix all of the powders together in a large bowl, then mix in the olive oil in the bowl. Then, slice the red potatoes in either chunks or slices, whichever you prefer. Set…

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St. Mary’s Parent Relaxes by Folding Paper

Presented in this story is the father of a St. Mary’s Student and his hobby of origami. Orlando Cantu, parent of junior English communications major, Analissa Cantu, (that’s me!) discusses what got him started in origami and why he loves the hobby.

Soundslides Tutorial

A Slice of Life: Faces and Places that make up St. Mary’s University.

Capturing Simple Moments In Time

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1. Cafeteria employees swipe the Rattler ID card of a student to provide him with access to the Diamondback Café breakfast buffet.
2. St. Mary’s cafeteria employees share a laugh while working their morning shift at the Diamondback Café.
3. Senior English major, Jessica Clark, starts her day by having breakfast in the Diamondback Café.
4. Senior English major, Jessica Clark, starts her day off with breakfast so she can feel better no matter what the day may bring.
5. Sophomore criminology major, Jaime Gonzales, multitasks while working in the Cotrell Learning Commons and reading a textbook for class.

Sizzling St. Mary’s Student Sings Her Heart Out

Stacey Mazuca, a student at St. Mary’s, tells us how she got her passion for singing started. She also tells us why loving the attention isn’t always a bad thing and shows us her “Chewbacca” talent.

Selena’s #1 Fan Describes an Amazing Experience

This is my interview with Bianca Pardo, who is a senior English Communication arts major, as well as my classmate. While asking her what is the coolest place she has ever visited, not only did I learn more about my classmate, but I got to listen to a passionate description of a beautiful experience Bianca had.

We’re All On the Same Ride

My beautiful classmates.

Here are my beautiful and talented classmates who are all apart of Brother Dennis’ Media Production 2, Spring 2014 class. You should follow their blogs, too!

Top Row from Left to Right: Travis Bowles, Marissa Rodriguez, Alexander Eakins.

Middle Row from Left to Right: Emma Santoyo, Rachel Grahmann, Stela Khury, Isaac Lucio.

Bottom Row from Left to Right: Chelsea Romero, Lissa Cantu (me!), Bianca Pardo.