Back from L.A., back to work

Hello Everyone,

Once again my college adventures have continued and I've thoroughly enjoyed them. I just got back last night from L.A. where I had the opportunity to travel, for the second year, to the National Broadcasting Society national convention. For three days we had the opportunity to both attend convention events and explore Hollywood, which can't get much better than that.

The conference allowed us to network with many professionals in the broadcasting industry and since I am not planning on going into broadcast, I got to understand the industry better. We got to listen to speakers such as Jason Kennedy of E! News, Jacques Thelemaque from Filmmakers Alliance and Mike Von Frend from ABC News. It might seem like a boring thing to do, but when you know that these people have done what you will one day have to do it become much more interesting and relevant.

As for touristy things, we got to spend some time in Universal City, which is the equivalent of Downtown Disney, but for Universal. We had a tour of the Kodak Theather, searched the Walk of Fame and Chinese Theater, as well as went to Santa Monica where we went to the Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Ocean. It was a very good opportunity to see all of these places and meet all of these people, all of which is in thanks to Mercyhurst College and the Communication Deptartment, which paid for the trip. THANK YOU!

This term is panning out to be much more... umm... lets say relaxed then last term. All of my classes (Accounting I, New Media, Intro to Integrated Marketing, and Art Appreciation) are important, but simply enjoyable. I'm happy to get back into the swing of things.

Ask around for me if any of you are coming to Laker Live-in this weekend!

Have a good week,
Thanks for reading,
Joe

We interupt your education to go to Los Angeles... oh ya.

Hello,

School is very much so under way once again and I have much high hopes for less stress this term. Thus far I can say that I am excited about every one of my classes without exception, which is nice. This term I have New Media (Comm), Art Appreciation, Accounting I, and Intro to Integrated Marking Online. My schedule has panned out so that for the first time all my classes are not grouped together, which has worked out thus far. I will be interested to see how my opinion will change over the term.

Beyond that, I am excited to report that I was hired by Busch Gardens Williamsburg and will be accepting a summer internship with them. As you all know from my previous posts I have a slight (possible understatement) obsession with amusement parks and hope to eventually work in the industry. Honestly, I don't know what park chain I would like to work in best, but I know that Busch Gardens and its parent company, SeaWorld, is an amazing brand and it will be my honor to add them to my resume.

Finally, as subtly hinted to in the subject line I will be leaving for Los Angeles California this Wednesday to spend the end of the week at a National Broadcasting Society convention. This is not only an extraordinary opportunity to travel, but also to network with people in the media industry, of which promises to be a good time.

Let me know if you are a reader who is planning on the Laker Live-in weekend!
Thanks for reading,

Joe

P.S.- Laker Live-in weekend is March 26-27

What I do when I should be sleeping

(UPDATED)
Hello Everyone,

I am officially back and by officially I mean I am starting to get back into the swing of things... starting.

Classes for the winter term wrapped up on Wednesday February 23, but fortunately I was done on the 22nd, which I rubbed into everyone who was still studying. I fared well with one B and the rest A's, but I can attest to this being my most difficult term on record. Terms may seem to be weird to most people, but you truly appreciate it when you get that wonderful week and a half spring break with absolutely NOTHING to do. It was lovely.

Spring break for me has seemed to move away from the typical mold, meaning that well most head for the beaches, for the last two years I have hit the mountains. This year I made my way out to Salt Lake City where I happily lost and immersed myself in everything but school. Check out some of the pictures below, it was absolutely gorgeous.

Considering reality again, we started classes as of Monday and I can say that I am excited for this term. I have Art Appreciation on Monday and Wednesday nights, a class at ten and two on Tuesday and Thursdays, plus an online course, which leaves me completely free on Fridays... YAY! Regardless of the schedule, the courses themselves seem to be interesting, which makes everything better. As I said I have Art Appreciation and then I have Accounting I, New Media (Comm Course) and Intro to Integrated Marketing Online.

There is a bunch of exciting things going on on campus in the next few months, but I would like to point out the Laker Live-in and Major Day. They go together and consist of students spending the night with current freshman from Saturday March 26 to 27. On Saturday there are a whole bunch of events planned and on Sunday is Major Day, where every department sets up a presentation for perspective students. The best part about these meetings is that you can meet your potential professors and they can tell you exactly why their program is the best, along with answering any specific questions that you may have. I really like to encourage people to participate in this weekend because it was the event that lead to me choosing Mercyhurst, so definitely check it out if you can!

Ok, that is all I got. Time for bed. :-)
Enjoy the end of your senior year, time is of the essence.

Thanks for reading,
Joe

Finals are here... Thank God

Hello, 

All the stress and hassle is melting away as I now have only a two day blitz to freedom! I have one final today, two exams tomorrow and then I have to get a portfolio in by Wednesday at 1:30, which is also basically complete.

I don't think that I have ever had a more difficult term here, though this year I have new stresses in my life. More jobs and responsibilities, specifically from the Resident Assistant side of things. All is working in good faith and only making me a stronger individual.

What always changes for the better is my appreciation for this school and the things that I am able to accomplish. I know people who travel to other schools, such as Penn State and Pitt, for a weekend of partying and come back ranting about the incredible party life, but the truth is that them, like me, thrive in our small school atmosphere. Nothing is the best of all worlds, but I know because of the people here and the opportunities that I am granted, that the incredibly high job placement rate of Mercyhurst is due largely to the people who run this place. This is the environment that I thrive in and provides hope for my future, which all the stress in the world is worth that.

I hope the last few months of high school are treating you well. Enjoy it, it is an only once in a lifetime adventure.

Thanks for reading,
Joe

I'm still alive (believe me)

Hello Everyone,

Wow... I didn't realize it's been so long, my apologies. Life at Mercyhurst is hop'n. Anyone who may think that 4 classes are an easy course load is mistaken, though I wouldn't change it.

So, over the last week I have turned in one two-page paper, two six-page papers and a presented a 30-minute presentation. With that all in, I've realized that I now have two group projects due next week, both requiring complementing presentations, an eight-page paper due next week and a test next Tuesday... not to mention my online portfolio and various other comm. projects. I know, A LOT! But whining won't help anything so I'll step off my soapbox and let it go.

Erie has been... well, Erie. It's been cold and blustery, but with all the snow it makes for a good skiing night, therefore I will be disappearing tomorrow night to the ski resort to relieve some of my stresses on the hill. I'm excited!

Beyond that, my search for a summer internships is full steam ahead and showing promise. This past week I accepted an offer from Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, Pa, but as I am still getting interviews to other parks, I am not certain what will end up happening. I really like Dorney and its small park atmosphere, but when you get an interview with SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Williamsburg, it would just seem as though the latter two have a greater adventure attached to them. Think about it, what would spending a summer in Orlando be like?! hmmmm... unless you live in Orlando and then you could e-mail and tell me all about it. Just an idea!

Finally, I have got to take some time to publicly thank my advisor, mentor and professor for all of her help. Meghan Corbin is our Marketing Director and a professor in the comm. dept, and without her I would not be getting the internship offers, or even interviews, that I am. She has spent time working on my resume with me, answering my numerous questions regarding if I should call an organization back, tips on how to have a better phone interview and countless more. What it all comes down to is... Thank you Meghan! (She checks these every once and a while! :-D)

Well, that's all I got for now. Keep pluggin seniors, you're almost there and college is just around the corner. Be excited! Best of luck with your college decisions, even if its not Mercyhurst. Don't forget, e-mail me with any questions that you may have, I would be more than happy to answer them or find someone who can.

t.t.f.n.
Thanks for reading,
Joe