“tell your story”

A few weeks ago, I was on a plane headed for Columbus, Ohio, following the 2009 PRSSA National Conference in San Diego. It was my first time attending PRSSA’s National Conference, and I had a great time–professionally and personally.

One of my favorite moments of Conference was hearing Mona Pasquil, who was recently named California’s Lt. Governor, deliver the Conference’s keynote address.

Pasquil, a leader in the Asian Pacific Islander American community, shared her experiences as a leader in politics and communication with attendees. The oldest of five children, Pasquil reminded us that to get anywhere, you have to know your story. You have to know how hard you are willing to work. You have to know what distances you are willing to go. You have to know how to be honest with yourself. You have to be yourself.

She told a story about when she was working as a campaign manager for Vice President Al Gore in 2000 general election. She and two other campaign workers had been confronted to address a dispute in the campaign, and when the Pasquil’s co-workers standing on either of her put their heads down and refused to tell Gore what he needed to hear, Pasquil looked him directly in the eye and bluntly stated to truth. There’s no doubt she was not intimidated or even scared of what he might say, but she was being honest with him and herself. It was not a good situation, yet she embraced it anyway.

Why? Because, as she told us, she remembered that the only thing all of us have is our name. It’s our name and the story that goes with it. We are all in charge of telling our own stories–who we let in our life, what we do and where we are going.

She reminded me of why I am an aspiring storyteller. I want to help others tell their stories

how the world makes writers

I came across an article on Salon.com, in which a recent print journalism graduate, signed “scared journalist,” asked whether the time he had spent relentlessly studying and interning for the past four years was worth anything, given the current state of the journalism industry. He, like many recent and soon-to-be graduates I know, is stuck working a job fit for high schooler, having his parents foot his cell phone bill and patiently waiting to receive his “big break.” As he has begun to consider different careers that pay more, the “scared journalist” asks whether he should put his dreams of writing for a living to sleep.

The answer that the “scared journalist” received from Salon reporter Cary Tennis really spoke to me. In it, Tennis is straightforward, writing and reminding the “scared journalist” that if he were a “true journalist,” he is “supposed to be having a hard time.” Tennis continues to write, “This is how the world makes writers. It kicks their ass long enough that they finally start telling the truth. They just finally give up and start bleating out little truthlets.”

While I am not studying print journalism, I could certainly relate to “scared journalist,” and after reading Tennis’ reponse, I reminded myself why I wanted to pursue journalism in the first place–to find and tell the stories I am passionate about.

Sure, journalism is a tough market to be in right now, but those who can find and deliver their passions–after a fair share of the world’s ass-kicking–will prevail.

To read the Salon article in its entirity: http://www.salon.com/mwt/col/tenn/2009/06/29/journalism/index.html

j

“the harder i work, the luckier i get”

I had been applying for summer internships since my six-week winter break, and it seemed as though there were no end in sight. Cover letter after cover letter, approximately 15 different versions of my resume, countless follow-up calls and e-mails and still nothing.

I stared blankly at my computer screen, analyzing a document I created to keep track of the 30 internships I had applied to. Each position was listed, along with its respective organization and the “yes/no/maybe” I had assigned it. Many organizations told me that they were only accepting post-graduate interns and, in light of the economy, many positions were eliminated. My chances of landing a dream summer internship weren’t looking so good.

And then, out of the blue, a friend sent me a job posting she found on LinkedIn. The posting was for a 90-day internship with the National Coalition on Health Care in Washington, D.C. While the position was targeted toward law and economics students, I was immediately drawn to what seemed like an amazing opportunity. I applied for the position that same day, had a phone interview two weeks later and was offered the position a few days after my interview. Today, I accepted the position, and I couldn’t be more excited.

I will be serving as the coalition’s public advocacy and strategy intern to help craft and implement its use of traditional and new media, as well as helping to improve its grassroots/grasstops communications with the public and policy makers. And after speaking with my future coworkers, it seems as though I’ll have plenty of creative room.

But the best part isn’t my relocating to D.C., working for a former counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice or being able to use Twitter at work. Because, for me, the best part about this position is the chance to work for an issue I am so passionate about.

That is why I became a public relations student in the first place. I had a desire to strategically bring to light issues that truly mattered, not to be a “spin doctor,” promoting non-necessities that won’t make a difference. To be a storyteller and to change the world.

And it hasn’t been easy. However, as James Carville once said, “the harder I work, the luckier I get.” How true.

j

well, i’m blogging . . . with a purpose

I have been slightly obsessed with cyberspace and the emergence of new media for quite some time now, so I decided it was time to start a blog with more of a purpose. But I didn’t just want to blog for the sake of blogging.

About the blog

I started this blog to write about my experiences, or musings, if you will, as I continue my studies of journalism, politics, life and more. I want to evoke the imperfection of thought as I have those experiences and to express myself in a way to engage readers. While this creates an arena for debate, it is a golden opportunity for us to exchange thoughts and ideas.

What to expect

I have always considered myself a lifelong student and am fascinated with learning. I want this blog to focus on what I encounter and what I have learned from those experiences. I hope you will learn something from them and, hopefully, teach me more, too.

So, that’s it. Sweet and short. While you’re here, take a look around and let me know what you think.

Happy blogging to you, and I am going to start writing my next post! Stay tuned!

j