Blood, Sweat, and TEARS... yield Transformation

I’ve always imagined college as an apparatus which receives you as a raw, unfinished product and yields a beautiful masterpiece. If that theory stands true, then it is to be assumed that there is a concise formula to achieving a successful college career. Every prospective j-school freshman is required to own and watch regularly The Devil Wears Prada (check). Each j-school freshman must have a favorite journalist, usually some hard news junky of The New York Times circa 1960 OR at least be able to name all the past editors of The New York Times (hmmm…). All j-school sophomores and juniors must have awesome summer internships where they’ve added print by-lines from top publications to their portfolios (gosh, does JC Penny count as an internship?). Lastly, a j-school senior will graduate and begin the life of their dreams: staff reporter/writer for a major publication in NYC accompanied by the love of their life that they’ve dated since freshman year.

Well… according to that formula, I am not anywhere near ready to graduate this upcoming June. Yes, I do own and watch The Devil Wears Prada regularly because it provides motivation. No, I do not know the editors of The New York Times, but I do know and own issues from Emil Wilbekin, Mimi Valdés, and Danyel Smith of Vibe Magazine (the past editors-in-chief of the best hip-hop magazine ever, hands down). No, I have not worked as a summer intern for any top publication, but I am the Managing Editor of Goddess Magazine, who also happens to write features and mentor my team of teen staff writers. Lastly, I am a j-school senior who will graduate in June 2011, yet has no concrete plans for post-graduation other than the desire to WRITE-- do notice my failure to touch on having a love of my life… as of now; my baby boys are the only guys who fit that criterion. I am a writer at heart, with a passion for helping and telling the pure stories of those who cannot express themselves. I am a human being who exudes the beauties and imperfections of my soul. This newsy yet slightly personal blog will illustrate the makings of MY masterpiece.