New Building,Lost Identity

Matthew Harrington

Mass Communication 1313

Oct/30/2016

SEO-KTSW/University Star Trinity

            San Marcos Texas Sunday, October 30, 2016- KTSW’s move to the Trinity building appeared smooth, but it might have actually led to a loss of self-identity.

            On Thursday Oct 27. The Mass communication week hosted the “Texas State Media Open House” this event was to celebrate The University Star and KTSW 89.9 now shared office space. The event showed off the KTSW’s new On-air studio as well as The University Stars’ updated newsroom. 

To some the move seemed uneventful. Aaron Joseph, news reporter for KTSW said that “The move was handled effectively, and was smooth from his viewpoint.” Joseph enjoys Trinity, to him it seems less hectic. The interaction between KTSW and The University Star is minimal, Joseph saying that he has yet to interact with the University Star.

            Complacency with the move seems to be the common theme within Trinity. Janelle Abad, music director for KTSW said that she is indifferent to Trinity “The idea was okay. The execution and thoughtfulness was not.” Abad continued by saying that she was happier in KTSW’s old location of Old Main, to her Trinity does not feel like a creative space.

            The cause of this angst can be seen on the walls of Trinity, they’re undecorated and clean. Unlike the walls of Old Main which were plastered with posters and character. An undeniable upgrade of equipment can be seen within Trinity, every inch of the workspace seems to have new computers and television sets.

            Is the change of scenery a good thing for student media on the Texas State campus? Only time will tell. Production Director, Connor Schwanke explained the feelings of KTSW employees best “When we moved to a new building we lost our old identity.” Now the only question for KTSW is if a new identity is considered progression or a loss of everything they once were.

Matthew Harrington is a Mass Communication student who spends most his time crying.   

How to Make it Into The Major Market

From South Texas to The Big Leagues
By Sonia Vela

SAN MARCOS, TX­­­­ –– Elaine Aradillas, crime reporter at People Magazine, opens up to Texas State University students about her career path and how they too can become successful in journalism.

Photo Of Elaine Aradillas By Sonia Vela

Aradillas gradated from the University of Texas in 1999, with a Bachelor’s degree in art. Aradillas’ dream at the time was to become an art critic; little did she know she’d become the successful reporter she is now. Aradillas’ career experience consists of The Austin American-Statesman, Press-Enterprise, San Antonio Express-News, The New York Times, Orlando Sentinel, NAHJ Board of Directors, and now People Magazine. While pursuing her Bachelor's degree in art, Aradillas worked at San Antonio Express News. Aradillas says, “The access that a journalist gets is unbelievable.” Aradillas made sure to let students know that although she studied art she always knew journalism was for her. It all started in high school when she was a yearbook editor and did a 2-week workshop where she interviewed a young man in juvenile detention. Aradillas states, “I knew talking to someone and interviewing them, then telling their story, whatever that was, I wanted to do.”

Photo Of Elaine Aradillas and MassComm Students By Sonia Vela

After graduation, Aradillas used her contacts at The San Antonio Express-News to help her land her next job in journalism. She now works for Time, Inc., People Magazine in Los Angeles, California. Aradillas’ adds, “Here’s the thing with minorities and young people, we are so grateful to have this job, that you don’t ask for help, you don’t ask questions or makes waves because you just want the job. You earned the job, don’t for get that. If you get hired then you earned it.” Caitlin Buckman, MassComm major student shares, “Elaine Aradillas inspired me to continue my studies in journalism. Many people, including my parents, ask what am I going to do with my major. At first I’m at a loss on what to say but after listening to Elaine’s Mass Comm session I realize there is much I can do. Opportunity is out there, you just need to find it." The purpose of Texas State University's annual Mass Comm Week is to offer students the opportunity to peak into their future. The sessions offer insight from mass communication professionals who give personal advice on career advancement and trends. 

Sonia Vela is a public relations major at Texas State University.

Facebook Marketing Employee Shares Advice for Life After College

Career advice from a Facebook Pro

By Madison Neidlinger

Photo of Justin Johnson speaking in LBJ

SAN MARCOS, Texas – A marketing Facebook employee gave valuable advice and insight to the students of Texas State University on how to succeed, career wise, after college.

 Justin Johnson gave a presentation on Thursday, October 27, 2016, at Texas state University where many students were present, eager to hear what he had to say.

Johnson began the presentation by sharing his background with the audience. Johnson is a first-generation college student who received a full-ride to the University of Texas at Austin. While at the University, Johnson stated that a lot of his opportunities he has received in life stemmed from people and exemplified the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone in order to make personal connections with individuals. Johnson stated, “You have to figure out how to swim, even if you do not know how because after college, it is sink or swim.”

Johnson landed his current job at Facebook by ironically seeing an ad for the position he was interested in on his personal newsfeed. Johnson applied for the job in January of 2014, started the recruiting process in March of the same year and finally became an employee in June of 2014.

In simplified terms, Johnson stated that his job consists of assisting various companies solve their business problems regarding marketing via Facebook. Though he works at a Facebook branch in Austin, Texas, he says that Facebook has offices domestically and globally. When asked what he enjoyed most about working for such a company, Johnson replied “Two things: the people and the culture.”

Johnson shared advice with the audience on how to really succeed in life after college. A quote he lives by, “To be interesting, you need to be interested.” He stressed the importance of making yourself known and not being afraid to put yourself out there, regardless of what you think the outcome may be.

Senior public relations major, Edward Evans, stated that Johnson was “very interesting to listen to. He truly made me believe that I could achieve anything I set my mind to.”

Informative tweet about Justin Johnson 

Madison Neidlinger is a junior journalism major at Texas State University.

Learning How to Market Like a Millennial with Dax Patton

By: Hayli Moore

SAN MARCOS, TEXAS ­­– Former Texas Tech graduate, Dax Patton, recently accepted a new position at legendary Austin conference and festival, SXSW. Patton spoke to students with various majors on Thursday, Oct.27, on how to navigate in the professional world once you graduate from college. The biggest point that Patton emphasized to the students was that you need to constantly network. In fact, he accredited all of his success to his ability to constantly network himself combined with the fact that he has worked hard at every single task he has been presented with.

Dax Patton networking with students after his talk.

He began his talk by giving the students a quick timeline of his professional life and how his career has progressed from one point to the next. Graduating in 2008 in the middle of a recession, Patton said that it was hard to get a job, especially in advertising. He began work at a large agency, something he recommends for recent graduates. Patton told students to “take educated risks and think critically about the future,” and that’s exactly what he did. By March 2010, Patton had launched Digital Touch Systems, Inc., a company that builds large, durable touch screens that can be installed in anything from a kiosk to a conference table.

Patton got to get back to his passion of marketing and sales with Digital Touch Systems, but recently left for a new position at SXSW. In a position that was created for him, Patton deals with group registration for the festival. Being in his dream job and having accomplished so much in such a short amount of time, Patton has a lot of advice to offer to college students.

Patton applauded students for taking the first step and building a strong foundation through receiving a higher education. He then urged students to get involved in professional organizations as an easy way to become the “serial networker” that he now is. After answering many questions that students had, specifically ones about internships at SXSW, Patton left the group with one final piece of advice in order to jumpstart their professional lives: “Read and watch as much as you can. Pay attention. Watch the news. Go vote.”

Hayli Moore is a senior digital media innovation major at Texas State University.

Dive Into The Media Industry at Texas State University With Nick Whitaker

Photo of Nick Whitaker by Dominique Hutchinson

SAN MARCOS, TEXAS –––– Wednesday, Oct 26, at 3:30 p.m. in the Alkelk Library at Texas State University, Media Outreach Manager Nick Whitaker of Google’s News Lab gave a presentation to students on working in the media industry alongside Google for Mass Communication Week. Whitaker is a product marketing manager at Google, however, this job was not handed to him but through his dedication he was able to obtain a job in which he loved. “Always stay hungry…I believe when you become comfortable, you lose your passion” says Whitaker. Whitaker’s presentation discussed many of the jobs offered for mass communication majors and many opportunities in which students can grasp while continuing their education.
    From explaining how to use a 360 degree selfie stick, to job opportunities, to virtual reality, Whitaker allowed students to have a look on what seems to be the next big thing. “Data journalism is becoming more mainstream than it was years ago” he says. Social media has changed the world of journalism, but journalists are riding the wave. Google has many search engines in order to cater to their audience. If information is not available in a certain time frame, chances are the consumer will look elsewhere to obtain the information needed. Whitaker discussed with students that no matter the job in which they would obtain, they would have to be fast, efficient, and network as best as they can.
    “Just what kind of job can I get with my communications degree” says a female viewer in the audience, in which Whitaker replied with “anything”. The main focus in which Whitaker had stressed was networking and having a passion for what you do. With processing theses two important elements, one could obtain anything. At Whitaker’s GooglePlus, one can follow him on social media and also obtain more information on jobs, different outlooks on the industry, or simply for questions.

by Dominique Hutchinson, Electronic Media Major at Texas State University.

Texas State grads give tips for success in the advertising industry

By Alyssa Nodorft

SAN MARCOS, TEXAS  —  A panel of Texas State grads gave current advertising students tips on how to get their foot in the door in the industry on Oct. 26 for the university’s annual “Mass Comm Week.”

 Divya Darsi, Matt Kemp, and Sabrina Jordan have all made a name for themselves in the advertising industry as a strategist, senior account executive, and media director, respectively. They have worked with large–scale companies like Dell, Starbucks, Chipotle, Walmart, and more.

University professor Jenny Buschhorn moderated the debate in the LBJ Student Center and asked questions that would be useful to students aspiring to be successful in their fields, starting with what the best way to get a job in advertising is.

“Get an internship,” said Darsi. “Don’t wait until your last semester. Reach out to people and ask if you can shadow them. It’s okay if you don’t know what you want to do yet.”

Texas State Alumna Sabrina Jordan shows her
alma mater spirit.

“The industry is always busy,” said Jordan. “Sometimes you’re planning a campaign that needs launching in two weeks instead of 12 or 18 months like usual.” Jordan has been in advertising the longest, graduating in 2002 and working for GSD&M, an Austin–based agency. “At the end of the day, it’s not just about your ideas; it’s about driving your client’s business.”

Kemp emphasized how competitive the advertising world is. “At the heart of it, you need to create great work and have a great strategy. I sit there and hover over the ‘Skip Ad’ button on videos all the time, unless something captivates me,” he said. “The only standard is A+ work, not B or C work.”

“Use your own resources and put your own stamp on things,” said Jordan. “If I ask for something, don’t give me only what I ask for. Go one step above.”

Sophomore Miles Jackson left the seminar feeling inspired and motivated. “This definitely made my mind up about wanting to continue studying advertising,” he said. “There are so many things you can do in this industry.”
               Mass Comm week continues through Thursday, Oct. 26. The full schedule can be found on their website.

Alyssa is an Advertising major and works as a graphic designer at the LBJ Student Center.