NMJ MasterāsĀ Full Sail University - Month 5 update
This month was the toughest so far. Bar none. Wait, did I say that last month? Let me check. Nope. this month was definitely the hardest. But as the saying goes, nothing is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain and difficulty. Thanks for that President Roosevelt.
I think my expectation of this course was pretty high. I knew it would mean a lot more reading. Clearly the name of the course is Research and Investigation Skills. But the rabbit holes I found myself delving deeper and deeper into were what I really wasnāt in store for this month.
The lesson I enjoyed the most really surprised me. It was when we first researched the ābeatā of our websites and what research we need to add to them. This assignment opened my eyes to needing the data to back up the ideas. It was coming on the election and I didnāt want to miss an opportunity to educate teens on a ballot measure that might impact them. No, not the presidency, although that might. My focused research brought me to a greater understanding of the minimum wage increase on the ballot. Learning about this led me to find out a lot of resources for teen employment and learning more about the laws in Florida concerning teens. That article also showed me how much I enjoy making infographics. The professor even thought I got them from a website because they were that good!
The next opportunity I was able to research was Career Academy learning. This research gave me an opportunity to showcase some teens and represent them the way I see them. It was a great experience and precisely what I want to do with this website Iām developing.
I had a rough time getting my chosen expert to talk to me. He was easy at first but, then things changed. When I told him, I would be looking to publish my article in the local newspaper he really no longer wanted any part of speaking to me or helping me out. It was a familiar but unfortunate aspect of being in the media. He agreed and then avoided. Then, just before the interview, he said he really didnāt want to do it. I had to make a decision to look elsewhere for my needed expert opinion on the piece. He told me on a Thursday afternoon. It created an opportunity for me to try to think outside the box but a true frustration with lack of the much-needed data he could have provided. He basically told me to stay clear of the media and let someone else do that. A deadline approaching, I did the best I could without the data and just some pointed opinions of experts. He had the data and didnāt want to be published. I really wanted to make another infographic, too.
The feedback I received from Dr. Carstenās was really complimentary and constructive. He has no problem letting me know where I can do more or better, and I respect that in him. Not just because he is reading this. Did I mention he thought I took my infographic from another website? Yes, yes, I will show it to you!