On the first day of Dr. Zhong’s 465 class, I was asked to tell the class what I was expecting the course to do for me in the long-haul. My answer was that I hoped it pushed me in the right direction of discovering what I actually wanted to pursue as a career, and I am pleased to say it did just that.
To those planning on taking this course with Dr. Zhong, you are making an excellent decision. He is an excellent mentor and role model, and in my opinion, one of the most compassionate professors at this university. He cares immensely about his students in both a personal and professional way; he wants them to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
In this class I learned what it means to tell a story worth listening to. I learned how to shoot interesting B-roll, ask compelling interview questions, and edit all of my work together to create a package visually captivating. More importantly, I learned how to find a humanized angle in all of my stories so that they may resonate with viewers. This class went beyond teaching me how to use a camera; it taught me exactly what to do in order to present myself as a professional.
Being given the opportunity to work with partners on our packages was a sincere pleasure. Not only was I able to make great friends and improve my teamwork skills, but I was able to get second opinions on my own ideas and open myself up to ideas I never would have thought of myself.
As I said before, this class helped point me in the right direction for my future. I know now that I am not going pursue a career in this field. I am grateful for being given the opportunity to take this class as a first-semester junior; I still have so much time left at this university to explore a different major and discover what I truly feel passionate about. Although I will not become a broadcaster, this class provided me with skills that I’m sure will give me a competitive edge and help me exceed in whatever I do.