Erica A. Hernandez

To set herself apart from the million of other Erica likes to use her middle initial to set her apart.

Erica Alyssa Hernandez is from Miami, Florida and her next stop is at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. But she has no plans of staying put for too long.

Erica A. Hernandez – @EricaAlyssa

Erica’s journalist days started when she was just 8-years-old. She used to do the morning announcements back in elementary. But she didn’t see herself as a journalist; she wanted to be a lawyer.

But she was always involved when it came to her school papers. And being on Coral Gables High School’s paper was where she found that cover story that started it all for her.

There was a stabbing at her school, which caused students to be put into lockdown in to the school. None of the news organizations could get in, not even CNN, so she covered the story from the inside. this led to the Mayor of Miami even recognizing what work was done, and really opened her eyes to the experiences news could offer her.

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Feeling my look. #KimK gets it. #CanILive #Journalism #LeanIn #NoFilter

A post shared by Erica Hernandez (@ericaalyssa) on Mar 24, 2015 at 6:58pm PDT

The past summer Erica spent her time in Atlanta as a sports intern at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. This experience was very digital based and she excelled and was offered a position at the organization.

While being at the CJC Erica has learned so many tools that has help her excel and grow during all of her internships and has help her see what she really enjoys and where she can excel.

Erica is very vibrant and extremely friendly and extremely easy to talk.

Follow Erica on Twitter and Instagram.

Pitching Ideas

Something I’ve heard a lot since beginning my time at the University of Florida is pitching. Not as in baseball, but pitching as in your description on a potential story you want to work on.

Just because you pitch your story doesn’t mean that your editor will agree with you and think it is publishing material. Sometimes your idea gets shot down and you have to be prepared for that. I know from experience that getting shot down after a pitch can be a hit to your ego, but please learn to not take it personal. Your editor isn’t trying to hurt or offend you. Your editor is doing what he/she thinks is best and sometimes that doesn’t correlate with your idea. But learn to move on and figure our what exactly they’re looking or find another idea to work with.

But sometimes pitching goes over well. Once that happens, hit the ground running. Do not waste time on getting the story done. Give yourself enough time and work very efficiently to get you work done the best way you can. But make sure to give yourself enough time to get edited or reformates if needed.

I learned this semester that it’s okay to pitch as many ideas you want. when you have experience pitching, you’ll be prepared for it once you’re in a professional environment during an internship or a newsroom.

Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone

Being a journalist consists of a lot of skills and sometimes those skills do not come naturally. That is why this spring semester I decided to take a photography class. Being a journalist today means that you have to be a jack of all traits and that’s exactly what I’m setting out to do.

This was one of the first pictures I took for the class. At first I thought this was a great picture, but I didn’t realize how out of focus it really was. I was too busy paying attention to the focus, I didn’t see how out of focus the picture really was.

I have never handled a professional grade camera until I enrolled in Photographic Journalism. I was totally outside of my comfort zone, but so were many people in the class. Realizing this, I knew that there wasn’t a reason for me to be intimidated by anyone else. Of course there were people in the class whom had pervious experience with cameras but they all started on the same level I did.

This is probably my favorite photo from the wedding. This picture isn’t perfect, but it has elements that I appreciate. The blurred background, the shine on the man’s head and the vibrant colors, I love all of that about this picture.

I took this class as an opportunity to work on my abilities and have a basic understanding of photography. I learned what aperture, ISO and shutter speed worked, and how together, the ability to take a picture in any environment was available.

I was extremely nervous to go out there and take pictures if people, I am still a nervous about it. But taking this class has thought me to just get out there and snap away. Go out there and take the picture and if someone notices just introduce and explain the situation to them. Which was something huge for me to over come.

This is a perfect example how sometimes you get caught taking pictures but you can’t just run away when that happens.

I think this is something journalism students everywhere need to learn. From my person experience of transferring to UF I felt overwhelmed and intimidated by the people who where already so involved and achieved so much. But I can’t let that trap me behind. As a journalism you have to be able to push yourself and put yourself out in the open and this class has help me start to achieve that. I am extremely proud of my work in JOU3601 and know I know that’s how I should feel about all the work I produce and put out there.

Probably my favorite part of taking this course is the fact that I can now take pictures of events in my life. I have been a make and keep memories of things in my life that I enjoy and I feel free to share them with people now.

Just one of the may pictures I took at Santa Fe College girls softball team’s game on the 17th.

Another reason why I am so glad that I took Photographic Journalism is because I am taking pictures of things I never have before. Last week I decided to go out and take pictures at a sporting event. I have never taken an action shot before and was extremely nervous, I didn’t think I could do it. But I was so proud of what I took. I have never taken action shot before and I thought they were photos right out of a sporting magazine. I could be really full of myself, but I’m extremely proud of all of those photos.

5 Things I’ve Learned At The CJC

I have been here at the University of Florida for two semesters now and I have learned a lot in my short time here. So I want to share some the advice I have received since being here.

1. LEARN HOW TO ORGANIZE
   • Being able to see what you have to do in a day or for the rest of the month will help you how to stay on top of your work. Buy a planner and get office supplies to mark it up. It’s your planner so create whatever system you need to that will help you develop organizational tools for your life. If a planner isn’t up to your speed, download apps like Evernote, Trello and Wunderlist. They’ll be kept safe right in your phone, so you can’t loose them.
2. DON’T BE AFRAID TO SOCIALIZE
   • The people you meet here in between the bricks of Weimer Hall can be lifelong connections. Don’t be afraid to make friends with the people in your classes and groups. These people can be connections you’ll have for the rest of our college career and even until you are in the working field. Also it’s great to have someone who’s going through the same journey.
3. BE READY TO WAKE UP EARLY
   • Be ready to seize the day. Setting up your alarm even 30 minutes earlier than usual will get you outside a lot sooner than usual. You’ll find that there are a lot of things you may be missing out on since you may still be in bed. Start your day out earlier and have more time to get things you wanted to done and be surprised at all the work you can get done in a day.
4. GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
   • Don’t be afraid to talk to people and be involved in the things around campus. Being able to set foot outside your comfort zone will open you up to more opportunities you didn’t know you had.
5. WRITE EVERYDAY, ABOUT ANYTHING
   • It doesn’t matter if it’s just a few words or a series of works. Writing everyday helps open you up to creativity and will help you develop the ability write a lot in a few words. A book that will help you learn how to do this is “How to Write Short” by Roy Peter Clark.

Ayana Stewart

Ayana Stewart, senior journalism student.

When it comes to finding someone to look up to as journalism major, I think I’ve hit the jackpot. While surfing through Twitter one day I stumbled across Ayana Stewart’s profile I was pretty excited.

            As a senior journalism student, Ayana has a lot on her plate as she’s coming close to graduating this spring semester. With multiple internship opportunities under her belt and another lined up at the Tampa Bay Times, Ayana is getting ready to hit the ground running.

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            She first got into journalism back when she was apart of her high school’s newspaper, it wasn’t her passion, she wanted to create her own cake decorating business, but from advice from her mom she changed her mind.

            “You’re going to regret it if you don’t choose something that’s meaningful,” was what her mother told her.

            It lead her to think about doing news reporting, being from Tampa Bay she was able to get first hand experience by shadowing a reporter at the Tampa Tribune. From then on she was hooked, the reporter she shadowed became her mentor, and she went on to become a freelance journalist for many small news organizations.

            Alongside with her experience at the Summer Journalism Institute at the University of Florida , it became definitive during her senior year of high school that being a journalist was her path.

            Working at her high school paper, really did help motivate her to take initiative of putting herself out there and finding stories and applying for internships.

            Ayana has had multiple experiences while being on internships, but her top two experiences came from the Miami Herald and the Scripps Company in D.C. . At the Miami Herald, She saw that her editors wanted to see her become a better writer by setting a standard of excellence.

            And while at Scripps, her experience was like none she had before. She was given press credentials, which allowed her to walk into any senator house hearing and given free-reign of the capital. She was able to go to two press events at the white house and sit next to people from publications she admired.

            Ayana is excited to go back to Tampa and work at the Tampa Bay Times.

            “They really value good journalism and the really look search for stories that need to be told,” Ayana explained, “it’ll be great, and I get the added benefit of being home with my family an fiancé.”

            Even though her journey has been tough so far, Ayana looks forward to everything. Her faith has kept her very grounded and focused. She notes that there is a need to hustle while in school, but it’s necessary to stay grounded and forget the pride and learn humility.

            Ayana has a lot of advice for anyone in our school of communications and is what I believe an expert source. If you’re interested in getting in contact with Ayana yourself follow her on twitter and check out her website!

It’s Good to Be Back

After taking a break from this blog for a couple months I am back. I created this blog as a tool to inspire my fellow College of Journalism and Communications peers.
Being here at the University of Florida is an honor. I believe that being at this college is an honor  because this is a difficult program to in and because we are surround by faculty and staff that are top-notch professionals.
The super talented faculty and staff we have here are the foundation of my new inspiration about this blog. I’m aiming to show off the talented faculty, staff and students of UF.
I hope this blog can aid others make connections with the wealth of knowledge and opportunities this college has to offer. Being here at UF is the foundation of what we’re going to do with our lives. I want us to see the various paths that we here at the CJC can take and meet people already there.
I want this blog to be a guide for those here at the CJC to make connections with our peers and learn to take advantage of what is available.

Courtney Coleman

Courtney Coleman, third year journalism student

This is Courtney Coleman, she’s a third year Journalism student here at the University of Florida. She has been here at UF since her freshman year and has experienced a lot in her time here.

            Courtney always had a love of writing, especially short stories, but it wasn’t until her freshman year if high school that she ever really thought of becoming a journalist. She joined her school newspaper as a contributing writer and it was there when she experienced the joy of creating her stories and seeing others read it.

            “When the story is done and it’s on the page, it’s a cool feeling.” Courtney said. After enjoying her time at her school’s paper her freshman year, she continued to work at the paper and began to climb the ladder.

            By her sophomore year Courtney became the paper’s design layout editor. She loved seeing how everyone’s stories came together and watched as people read the paper she designed.

Even if the paper managed to fall on the floor, Courtney loved to see her finished    work.

***

            When Courtney first arrived here at UF she had a “big fish, little pond” experience. “Everyone is on the same level. Everyone knows how to do the same things like you. We’re all starting at the same level.” Courtney said.

            It wasn’t until she joined the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), that Courtney felt better and more comfortable with being a journalist student, she didn’t know if this was the right path for herself. NABJ gave her opportunities to meet many speakers and journalist who greatly impacted her, “[NABJ] gives you a lot of options, with so many different speakers who give you more insight.”

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            Being here at UF and being apart o NABJ has really inspired Courtney over the years. One of the first people to leave a large and lasting impression on her was her professor for African-American Literature, Dr.King.

            While taking African-American Literature during her freshman year, it was a class filled with juniors and seniors – leaving Courtney feeling very intimidated. It wasn’t until Courtney received feedback on her final semester assignment – a 40 paged journal, did she feel she was heading down the right path.

            “Writing is where your voice is heard most clearly” those were the word Dr.King left for Courtney. Courtney never had anyone say that about her writing, and never thought that her words could be what she uses to make an impact on the people who read them, she never though they could broaden her horizon as they have now.

            “Find your voice. Find where your voice is the most clear.” Courtney said. There is not a concrete passageway into the world of journalism, one has to pave their own way to their goals because there is no set mold to fit Courtney said bout journalism.

            Finding her voice in her writing and gaining confidence in her work has lead to Courtney accomplishing so much in the amount of time that she has been here at UF. Courtney was able to land an internship with Globalgrind.com, becoming a contributing writer for the Celebrity Café, and becoming the historian of the gator chapter of NABJ.

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            Courtney believes that joining NABJ and other organizations has lead her to where she is and where she wants to go, “They have resources and advice for things you are passionate about.” Joining these organizations is what Courtney believes is the key to making one completive in today’s journalism market.

  Courtney wants to help build a better representation of the black community. She wants other potential black journalist to know that there is always a place for their voices to be heard and to make an impact on the community.

            As she heard from Steve Johnson, Visual Coordinator at UF, stop thinking about the title you want to reach, it is not about who you want t work for – its about what you want to do. And there is a lot of impact Courtney wants to do upon her community.

Follow her on twitter @courttcoleman!

Katie Renfro

Katie Renfro, third year journalism student at UF

This is Katie Renfro, third year journalism student at the University of Florida. She is a transfer student from Florida State College at Jacksonville, and she is really glad to be here at UF.

Katie loves to write about music; especially the local bands back home in Jacksonville. At the moment Katie isn’t interested in writing opinion or editorial columns but she is very interested in writing for newspapers and online media, which she is currently looking for different internship opportunities in those industries. She would love to get involved with blogs, as she loves to write and knows how to video edit and would love to show her talents in that aspect on blogs.

It took Katie a while to decide whether she wanted to become a journalist. For a while she kept going back in forth between many options, but ultimately she chose journalism because she knew that she is a strong writer. She see that journalism gives her the opportunity to have a lot of versatility in her work because the subject matter constantly changes and she would never tire of that.

From her time here at UF, Katie has been greatly impacted by Terry Anderson, her professor for International Journalism. From his own experiences of being a journalist, his seven years of captivity and the amount of light he’s been able to shed on journalism itself – Katie has no doubt in her mind of how much of an inspiration Anderson should be to many journalist students here at UF.

Another Professor who has impacted Katie would be Mike Foley. Even though she has yet to take his classes personally, in the small amount of times she has encountered with him, he has left a lasting impression on her.

Being a transfer student here at UF, she has nothing but good things to say about her experience. She believes that there has been a pathway that has been built for her. There is always someone for her to turn to, with any questions that she may have and without that, Katie thinks her experience would have been completely different.

Katie has a bright future ahead of her, as there are many classes ahead of her that will condition her for future career. Be sure to find Katie on twitter and keep up-to-date with her progress her at UF.

Welcome

I want to use this very first post to introduce you to this blog and what I want this blog to become.

My idea behind this blog it to find what journalism is. According to Merriam-Webster, by definition journalism is defined as: the activity or job of collecting, writing, and editing news stories for newspapers, magazines, television, or radio.

But journalism itself has many definitions, and I want to find these definitions. When I say this I mean on a very individual scope. I want to meet fellow students who are studying journalism or other majors who want to become a journalist, and find out why they decided that they want to become journalist, what attracted them to journalism, and what does journalism essential means to them.

I’ll use myself as an example. I want to become a journalist because I have watched many documentaries and read many articles, that at them end I became infuriated that there was so much information that I never heard about. Like oil companies’ fracking processes or how we easily sign away our rights to go to court by just signing something as simple as signing a cellphone contract, there are so many issues that wee are missing everyday, that haven’t been brought to light. That is what encouraged me to become a journalist. I want to show people the injustices that we are facing, the situations that are happening around the world that affects the people we care about. I see journalism as a tool to educate, instead of being in a classroom we are teaching on global scale. With journalism today we can reach across boarders, and affect people everywhere.

I want this blog to be like a dictionary, I want it to have every definition for what journalism can mean for people. I want anyone who wants to learn more on journalism use this as a source to get more information about the topic, as they would need.