Oopsy!

Hey peeps, sorry I forgot my blogpost for last week - but this is my make-up recovery post as I like to call my "Oopsy!" Haha, get it? Well anyway, job search is goin just like usual. I'm looking into Radio jobs, possibly a corporate job within Target, and in the meantime I'm taking up babysitting for my afternoons to get some money in the bank!

Yeah, that's right - sometimes you have to find a part-time job like waitressing, hostessing, or babysitting in my case and do that for a bit while working on finding that career in your field of study....or whatever it is you have to get into. And the important thing to remember is to apply yourself during the course of finding a full-time career so that the part-time job is literally only a part-time job. You have to look at it as a temporary boost to help you get some money and to motivate yourself to getting that full-time job. Once the full-time job opens up and you're in, you can look back and say, yep, babysitting was something I had to do for a time until I got this job.

So, bottom line - keep at it. Do what you gotta do!

Back to Radio!

Okay, so I have a bit of a confession to make, and I am late in doing this, but better late than never right?

So I did this radio practicum my senior year of college just for some fun, and to have 1 credit on my hours for the last semester. My show was called: NewsAlerts with Abby....and what I did is basically go on the air between 2-4 p.m. on Sundays to give some news updates, what were some stories on campus and in the community, mixed with some popular songs on my iPod. It was fun, and I had a great time - and I seriously did think for a time or two that I could make it a career - being a radio personality host.

But you know how things happen sometimes. You forget that liked doing that, and get caught up thinking you should try sales, or write for a newspaper or magazine - which is fun, and I like it, not going to lie, but if I had the chance to be On-Air, I would definitely do it! I have the personality, the structure and organization, cute friendly voice, personable, and I like talking of course! I can keep up to date with the news and trends, I can multitask, and bring a positive vibe to the station I'd be on! Isn't that exciting? Knowing you have all the tools necessary to make it in a business, and loving it at the same time? What more could you ask for? Nothing in my opinion.

So now I've decided to get back in touch with a guy I contacted while I was doing the radio practicum - his name is Sam Weaver, and he's a radiocoach. He helped me before with my aircheck, and now he's willing to help again get me started in radio. I believe I can learn a lot from him, so I'm going to try this out because I could make this a job one day! And it'd be SO MUCH FUN!

Maybe I'm going all over the place with this job business - and sure I've made mistakes, but who doesn't? You have to make mistakes in order to make things right for yourself. You have to realize that its a process in finding what it is you really LOVE doing, and figuring out what you're going to make of it. I'm young and I'm still figuring it out, but I know that there's a lot of you out there in the same boat as me.

That's all I have for now. See you all next week!

Paul Basken

I just had a phone interview with reporter Paul Basken, of the Chronicle of Higher Education. That is a newspaper stationed in Washington, D.C. in case you all did not know, and he's had 25 years of experience in the journalism industry. 

From what I understood from this interview, he said that people have been saying that jobs in the journalism/media industry are hard to get. People have been saying that for a long time - since the 80s and before. The industry is a bit dodgey, but there are still jobs within the journalism industry. A sign of hope for those of us trying to find jobs in journalism. 

The important thing to know is the model for journalism to make it in the economy should not be based on geography or advertising - but subject-matter. Therefore, no matter where you are writing for a newspaper, magazine, online, or tv broadcast, the subjects and content talked about in the media outlet are the sole most important factors the organization has to offer to the public. 

He brought to light that if you know what you want to write about, or have an idea of what you want to specialize in, now is the time to do your research, find the articles you find appealing or that you would want to write, and contact the editors. Freelancing has a stronger and much higher percentage of success for you when it comes to thinking about how you are going to make it as a journalist or reporter. 

He just said to keep on writing - do what I'm doing, get some more content or topics to write about (i.e. politics would be a great thing to get into right now) and narrow your subject-material with the more experience you get. 

I'll have more to add later, because it's good to have a mentor in my opinion. 

Weekly Post

Okay so here I am, like promised - giving my weekly blogpost update for the week. This morning I had a telephone interview with the Atlanta Metropolitan College about a Project Coordinator position I applied back in December. The person in charge of the interview process for this position was Dr. Cunningham, the vice-president of the department of Institutional Effectiveness. The interview went well in my view, short and to the point, and at the end I was able to ask a few questions which is nice to have prepared in case the opportunity presents itself.

I applied for this position way back in December - which really wasn't that long ago, it only feels like it was long ago. I was doing some research and surfing the internet one day for tutoring, teaching, administrative jobs in an educational environment, and that's when I came across the Project Coordinator position offered with Atlanta Metropolitan College. I read the description, did some research, narrowed down what they were looking for, and came to the conclusion I'd be a great fit for the job. So, I applied.

Yesterday was when I received the call they wanted to have a phone interview with me. She asked if Wednesday March 2nd (which is today) at 11 a.m. would be alright. I said yes, and they called me this morning for a short 10-minute interview.

Now, here's the part where I could tell you everything that happened, and make it very easy and predictable about what you guys should be doing when you're in an interview. However, interviews are, by nature, unpredictable. It could lead anywhere - you could go off on a tangent of some story you had thought up before they called which may or may not have any relevance whatsoever to what they are talking about. They could decide if they want to keep you or cut you after the first 5 seconds, or it could go as smoothly as possible. A lot of things can happen in the time of an interview, so while I can't tell you everything - I can give you a few pointers from what I have learned from previous interviews, and of course this one.

Number One - Always Be Prepared. You don't want to come off as a fool or someone who doesn't know what they are getting into. Do your homework and be prepared for their questions, write it down what you want to say if you have to.

Number Two - Have your research notes ready. What you know about the company comes in handy when answering their questions. Make a point of showing them that you did your homework because they will be pleased to know you took the time to do that before the interview.

Number Three - Role Play. Look for someone to play the interviewer, and you as the interviewee. Have them ask you questions to get you warmed up for HOW you are going to answer them. (Note: the word HOW is very important because you don't want to give off the wrong impression during the interview).

Number Four - Be honest. Don't lie or make up some story they can totally tell is not true. To an employer, honesty and integrity are one of the most important things to have in an employee. You don't want to make the mistake of turning your back on an important quality like that.

Number Five - Use Anecdotes. A story from your previous work experience can highlight certain attributes about yourself that might be appealing to some employers. Be careful not to make it too long, just focus on the main points of it, and always make sure it is relevant to the conversation you are having with the employer.

Number Six - Always leave a Positive Impression. It's very important for them to know you are very interested in the opportunity they have to offer. If you come off positive, they will remember you in a positive light.

That's what I have for now, I could go on, but the list would be too long. These were just some main points to keep in mind before an interview. Best of luck to you all out there!

Beauty Contest Shines Focus on Forests

Forsyth County hosts inaugural Miss Forestry Pageant

By: Abby Wood

February 28, 2011

CUMMING — Beauty was not the most important message at the inaugural Dawson/Forsyth County Forestry Scholarship Pageant held Saturday, Feb.19.

Saving and preserving the state's forestry industry was front and center at the competition held at the Lanier Technical College Forsyth Conference Center.

Winners on Saturday received crystal crowns, custom-embroidered green and white satin sashes, trophies and a paid entry fee to the 72nd annual Miss Georgia Forestry State Pageant to be held in June in Tifton.

"This pageant is more about teaching the girls and bringing awareness to themselves as well as the environment," said Dadrienne Belisle, the pageant director. "I think the forestry industry and what trees actually do for the environment and for Georgia as a whole is often neglected."

The newly crowned queens will receive hands-on experience about trees and their importance to the environment from the Georgia Forestry Commission.

"They will go to a lumber yard and learn how a tree is processed," Belisle said. "They will learn what all goes into the process of lumber and why it is important to plant seeds and grow trees."

The pageant was made up of 18 contestants divided into separate divisions by age group – ranging from 0 to 24 years old. Categories were Baby Miss, Teeny Miss, Tiny Miss, Little Miss, Junior Miss, Teen Miss and finally Teen Queen.

Kaitlin Fowler, 6, was crowned Tiny Miss Queen. Fowler, a student at Matt Elementary School, was one of the few contestants from Cumming.

Amanda Fowler, Kaitlin's mother, said they have been participating in pageants since Kaitlin was 6 weeks old.

"My hope is that she learns self-confidence and eventually the meaning of taking care of the environment," said Fowler.

Winners received up to $1,000 in scholarship bonds.

One of the judges, Victoria Lovett, of Warner Robins, said she would like to see the older girls become advocates for the forestry industry.

"It's not all about the crown," Lovett said. "It's about getting out in the community and helping with the forestry industry."

Midget Race Makes Pit Stop in Cumming, Ga.

Burning Rubber for a Good Cause

By: Abby Wood

February 28, 2011 

CUMMING, Ga. — Eleven-year-old Dawson Gay pulled his covered car from the driveway to reveal a black tubular-framed, single-cylinder racecar.

His face lit up.

Gay, a racer in the North Georgia Quarter Midget Association, will be among those burning rubber in the upcoming 8th annual Spring National Kids Racing for Kids Charity Race on Saturday, March 12 at the Cumming Fairgrounds racetrack on Castleberry Road.

His parents, Amy and David Gay, said Dawson developed a passion for the racetrack from the moment he joined the racing club in April of last year.

"He just loves it. He gets in there, and he just loves it," said Amy Gay, a volunteer for the Quarter Midget Association in Cumming.

Dawson and other drivers, ages 5 to 16, will compete in order to raise donations for two charities -- Victory Junction Gang Camp and Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Race registration fees, concessions and T-shirt sales on the day of the race will all go toward the charities, said Amy Gay.

The Region 3 race will bring drivers from out of town to compete at the racetrack. In 1999 and 2005, there were 36 different states represented in the races.

"We try to draw more people in to have a big race," said Bill Thomas, a racetrack builder. "We hope we have a good turnout this year."

There will be about 15 drivers representing Cumming.

"We usually have 25 drivers, and each driver can drive two different cars," said Eric Kimbarl, president of the North Georgia Quarter Midget Association.

The race is free and open to the public.

"It gives me a sense of pride to see my son race for this cause," Kimbarl said. "There's a deep satisfaction inside me to see him do good."