As this semester is coming to a quick close, I find myself examining the last few years I have spent in the Journalism and Mass Communications department at the University of Northern Colorado.

When I came into the program, I had a lot of questions about what direction my life was headed in and I was not sure if I wanted to work towards a career in the newspaper industry.
Some things never change.

With all the trouble the newspaper industry is going through it is had to make a leap into a career that will almost certainly lead to near poverty and no job security.

Everyday I am surrounded by the news of another paper filling for bankruptcy or announcing a large round of layoffs. The barrage of negative press has started to really wear on me.

Despite all the doubt I feel, I have found out that this is the career that I love and want to pursue.
And by the looks of it I am not the only one.

Last week I read an article on the Huffington Post stating that applications at the Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism are up 38 percent.

I posted a link to the article in the links section under the title, "Old Dogs, New Media."

Additionally, on Tuesday I ran into an old friend whose daughter is thinking about studying journalism after she graduates from High School next month. He asked if I had any advise.

I told him that she should know what she is getting into. As students, we are not preparing for the jobs of our predecessors, because the few that are left may not be there in a few years. We are preparing to be a different type of journalist.

However, we need to learn the skills, ethics and dedication of the print journalists so that the journalism of the future can live up to the high standards the public has come to expect.

Day in the Life of Dennis Morimoto

Writing about Dennis Morimoto, director of the School of Art and Design, was a little difficult for me because I have known him for a couple of years and think of him as a friend. Therefore, I had to try to approach this assignment objectively rather than just conveying my own opinions.

Although I have known him for a while, our conversations have usually been similar. We had talked about class, photography, the Colorado Eagles and other assorted topics. This assignment gave me the opportunity to take a step back and just learn about the man.

In high school, I had a photography teacher named James Bloomfield or “Bloom” as we called him. My time with Bloom inspired me to follow the course my life is currently on. I see some of the same qualities in Dennis and I know that over the last 40 years he has inspired countless students the same way and it is too bad that future students will not have the same opportunity to receive his guidance.

Profile of John L. Mendoza

The first assignment I worked on was a profile on John L. Mendoza, a UNC alumnus whose art was featured in the Mariani Gallery on campus. I believe this was an important story to tell because it is great to see a former student showcased decades after graduating from the University.

This assignment was challenging because I did not get to meet Mendoza or see his art in person prior to the article. I did get to talk to him and found him to be very gracious and accommodating. I am thankful for the time he took to talk to me.

I really would have liked to attend the opening of the gallery so that I could have met Mendoza, but unfortunately my work schedule did not allow it.

If you want to see his work, please visit his website at http://www.mendozaart.com.