Running head: EXPERIENTIAL PAPER

Experiential paper: Be the change you wish to see in the world. Mahatma Gandhi
Mary Rogers
Kent State University












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Experiential paper: Be the change you wish to see in the world. Mahatma Gandhi
Having the privilege to do a practicum in the same department, as my major is a huge
honor. I was asked in the beginning what it was that I wanted to gain from this experience. My
response was that I wanted to advance my writing skills, learn more about marketing and do
some event planning. Not only did I gain experience in all of the aforementioned, I learned more
about life than anything else through my interactions with my supervisor, Margaret Garmon.
My first day in the practicum was just a familiarizing process. I had to read the usual
handbook and get adjusted to the preexisting culture. I also had to learn about my new
responsibilities, which included writing stories, creating a blog, reading student publications,
event planning and marketing the accomplishments and involvements of the School of
Communication Studies.
One of the most challenging things about the internship was learning a new writing style.
The practicum required me to write in AP style while the School of Communication Studies
trained me to write in APA style. AP style is primarily used in newswriting while APA style is
used to construct a lot of research papers. I was immediately assigned write a story on the School
of Communication Studies practicum students, so I needed to learn AP style sooner than later. It
wasnt as challenging as I thought it was going to be. My background in broadcast news had
exposed me to a lot of the AP style writing techniques, I just wasnt used to them being referred
to as AP style techniques. This was a valuable lesson for me. I learned that no matter what
training one receives, each job is different and has a particular way of doing things that one has
to adjust to.
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It actually turns out that I wasnt as bad as I thought. My first story was returned to me
with minimal critique. In fact, Margaret told me the edits she made was nothing more than an
editor would make at the Plain Dealer.
My second story received less critiques than the first one. I was assigned to write a story
on the Communication Studies students who played a part in organizing Black History month
events. This was easy for me because I was closely connected with a lot of the communication
majors through my vice president position with Black United Students. Most of the executive
board members were Communication Studies majors who were all contributing BHM planning
in some form or another. Many of the students attributed their ability to organize such large-scale
events to their tracks in communication.
The third story I wrote was a challenge. The topic was College of Communication and
Information doctoral students, Norma Jones and Maja Bajac-Carters, co-editing experience with
a book series on heroism in popular culture. I will be honest and say I was intimidated when I
interviewed Norma and Maja because of their academic status. Although I spent a lot of time on
this story, it received the most critique and had to be rewritten several times. I was very bothered
by this. I had to get used to the fact that when writing a story for marketing purposes rewrites are
common, especially when the people used as sources are allowed to review the article and make
changes. My supervisor practiced journalism for 30 years and was very experienced. She assured
me that she still receives a lot of critique and to be more confident in my work and be open to
critique.
She also shared her real-life work experiences with me about being a woman in the work
force. The most valuable thing I learned from her was a positive outlook on journalism. I entered
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the practicum with a negative outlook on hardcore journalism. I thought that journalist were
vultures and always wanted to cover negative stories. She expressed to me that in her career
many people wanted to tell their stories in tragic situations and that it wasnt always the media
going after the victims for a story. The media gives the regular people a voice.
I am leaving this internship a lot more open minded than when I entered. I am better
prepared to be the change I want to see in the world.