Sorry about the vlog yesterday. YouTube was giving me major problems!!! ARGH!!!! But the video will be up today and I interviewed my first college survivor from an HBCU (Historically Black College & University).? There’s a nice little tutorial thrown in there too; so, I hope you enjoy it.
In Wooden Nickels: After a terrifying experience in college, CG makes a bold career choice.
College Survivors What inspired you to pursue your career path post-college?
College Dreamers What has inspired your future career path?
JamTown’s Response:
My dad inspired my career choice.? He introduced me to the world of the television and film industry through his work experience.? I started out as a video editor in high school, and a whole new world opened up to me.? I was fascinated by knowing what goes on behind-the-scenes and all the departments and creatives who are responsible for putting together the end product that we see.? I was very particular about fine-tuning my edits in rhythm, music, and having an eye for the best take.? I was excited that I was able to easily transfer my performing arts background and training as a classical musician and performer to my editing skills.
But it was my dad who told me that I could be more than an editor…that I had the potential to produce or direct or write.? I was content editing because I enjoyed it so much.? However, after my dad planted that seed, I was ready to explore that world even more to see if I really did have those other skills.? And that led me to applying for the film school at USC and graduating four years later with a Bachelors in the Film/Video Production track of the Cinema-Television school (now known as the “School of Cinematic Arts).
So thanks, Daddy, for planting the seed and helping me to dream a bigger dream than I could for myself!
In Wooden Nickels: CG’s RA surprises him with some unexpected news.
College Survivors: Did you have any residential advisers (RA) in college?? What was your opinion of him/her?
JamTown’s Response:
For some reason, I can only remember my freshman year RA.? Maybe because that was the time I needed the most assistance.? As I said in a previous post, I lived in co-ed housing.? My RA was a male upperclassman who was in the film school also.? He was more of a graphics/techie type and knew all about special effects.? I remember hanging out with him alot in the dorm with another good friend of mine.? Despite his busy schedule, he was always extremely helpful and was very easygoing.? He wasn’t a tyrant like alot of other freshman RAs I had heard about.? And I’m sure everyone on our floor appreciated that the most.
Response of the Day comes from a Youtuber:? BlackLadyDiana @ College Vlog #7: Close Call (“Campus Life” category)
My near death experience was 4/14/09| I was so stressed about school and I was headed to SF but I couldn’t get on the road I started feeling light headed, and having chest pains. I was rushed to the hospital, and found my heart was literally skipping a beat due to stress but I knew about that 4/9 from my regular doctor||For some reason I felt I was going in to shock and my mom thought I was going to die because I was having a hard time keeping my eyes open|Long story short, I’m ok now|
In Wooden Nickels: CG ended up dropping out of a school club.
College Survivors: Did you ever drop out of any school clubs in college?? What were your reasons?
JamTown’s Response:
I don’t think I ever dropped out of any clubs…I just became inactive.? (I don’t know if that’s the same thing.)? There were the Admissions Ambassadors, we helped recruit students to the university.? But I don’t remember doing much of that my senior year.? I was also in a group called Black Women Investing, but we didn’t do much either.? Other than that, I was pretty committed to most of the school clubs I joined because they were just that awesome.
I wanna give a shout out to Worthing High School (Career Center) in Houston, Texas. The teachers and students at this school have taken the college blog and vlog to a whole new level. Just this week, they held a Wooden Nickels premiere, complete with red carpet, strobe lights, and popcorn.
During the event, they watched several of the Wednesday Vlogs, followed by a series of activities. One was role play, where they would act out some of the scenarios mentioned in the vlogs. They also held discussions where they talked about those scenarios and how they would respond. Lastly, the students went on the website and posted their own comments. I even called in and said hi to the excited college-bound students and gave them more insight into the purpose of this blog.
The teachers at Worthing plan on having these Wooden Nickels events regularly in an attempt to get their students thinking about college in a different way. I am so excited that Worthing is being pro-active and creative and I would encourage other schools around the country to do the same.? It’s a great way for students to be in a group environment and to talk about college issues that are not written in any books.? Let me know how you would like to get involved.
And if you didn’t get a chance to check out the vlog this week, you can see it under “The Wednesday Vlog” category.
In Wooden Nickels: During one of CG’s college summers, he almost gets left behind at a vacation spot.
College Survivors: Did you have any mishaps during any of your college summers?
JamTown’s Response:
I can’t think of any? major summer mishaps.? I know that when I did go on a cruise with a friend my senior year, we made sure that we would not get left by the ship when we stopped in Mexico.? That would have been a travesty. ? So we were back on the ship with time to spare and ready to hit that all-you-can eat dining hall.
Now, I could talk about the summer mishaps of my friends, but that would take way too long.?
Response of the Day comes from a College Dreamer!? I want all my College Dreamers to drop me a line and tell me what colleges you’re looking at.? And give your high school a shout out!
Response of the Day: Brittany @ “College Vlog #14: Surprise!”(“Campus Life” category)
I enjoyed the video blog. I learned alot of helpful tips for college. I will be a freshman this upcoming year.
In Wooden Nickels: CG has to take class in a big lecture hall.
College Survivors: Did you have any lecture hall classes with hundreds of students in college?? Did you like the class size?
College Dreamers: Would you prefer to take class in a big lecture hall or in a smaller classroom once you enter college?
JamTown’s Response:
I took classes in the huge lecture halls and the small classrooms.? The huge classes are somewhat better because you can disappear in them (in some of them).? Since you’re in class with hundreds of other students, it’s harder for a professor to know everyone in the class.? No one is looking over your shoulder to see if you’re paying attention.? However, you have to be way more disciplined in a class of this type because you have so much freedom.? It’s very easy to go to sleep, skip class, come in late, leave early, not turn in homework, etc.? And you won’t know the damage you’ve done until you see your GPA.? I never did most of those things, of course.
But I think the lecture hall class actually allowed me to relax more.? If I wanted to answer a question, I could and if I wanted to lay back and take notes, I could do that too.? In smaller classes, you have to be way more alert.? And sometimes, that just isn’t going to happen after a night of writing a 25-page paper.? I do not miss those days at all.
I was so excited about today’s vlog that I forgot to edit in my regular captions during the video.? But YouTube has a cool feature that allows users to add details like that on their website.? Basically, what I’m saying is that today’s vlog will rock your world…especially if you’re a Trojan.
Tomorrow’s vlog will be a treat for my USC Trojans.? Get ready for it.? Make sure you watch and share your stories.
In Wooden Nickels: CG’s mother gives him a bus ticket to start his college journey.
College Survivors: What was your mode of transportation taking you from your hometown to your college town?
College Dreamers: What will be your mode of transportation from? your hometown when you begin college?
JamTown’s Response:
I took a road trip with my parents from Texas to California when I moved away to college.? It was hot.? It was long.? And it was hot.? I never really knew how big Texas is until I took that trip. ? Coming from a major city, I also didn’t realize how much of Texas is desert and country towns.? I can’t even imagine a bus trip from Texas to California.? It just makes me tired even thinking about it.
Happy Monday!? Response of the Day comes from Lola @ “Get to Work!” (Campus Life” category)
I truly had one of the best college jobs ever. My college had an early childhood music program consisting of babies, toddlers, and their parents. On Saturday mornings, I assisted in these classes. We would lead them in songs, nursery rhymes, and silly dances. After two semesters, I assisted in the classes on campus and had two classes of my own at two different daycare centers. It was the easiest and (most entertaining) money I?ve ever made.
In Wooden Nickels: CG lives in an all-male dormitory.
College Survivors: Did you live in a co-ed dorm or a single-sex one?
College Dreamers: Do you plan on living in a co-ed dorm or a single-sex one?
JamTown’s Response:
I lived in an on-campus co-ed apartment building.? So co-ed, that I lived across the hall from two guys.? I thought that may have sent my parents reeling, but I can’t remember a reaction from them.? Or maybe I never told them.? Anyway, they were nice guys.? My RA (residential adviser) was actually a male.? And while my apartment building was co-ed, all the actual apartments were single-sex.? I enjoyed the co-ed status.? It made things way more interesting, especially in my first year of college.
Happy Friday!? Next week will be a great week.? I can feel it coming.? Hope you have a good weekend!
In Wooden Nickels: CG joins a prestigious organization in affiliation with his major.
College Survivors: Were you a member of any honor societies or other prestigious organizations in college?
JamTown’s Response:
I was in an academic honor society.? All members had to have a certain GPA to qualify and we also had to write an essay and maybe get recommendations.? I can’t remember many of the perks of being in the organization, but we did get a special stole to wear at graduation with the organization’s name on it.? I was proud to have been selected and really enjoyed our induction ceremony.? One of USC’s prestigious law professors was our keynote speaker and I was inspired by his personal journey through college and law school at Harvard, as well as his commitment to being an impact player in his field.? I walked away with a renewed desire to keep working hard and to stay at the top of my game.
What inspired you to pursue your career path post-college?
