Something About It Controls Me

The First Time

I can still remember the first time music became a big deal in my life. I was in elementary school and my older brother would rock out to all of the great jams of the early 90s. I was jealous. In my head he was the coolest kid around and I wanted to be just like him. The worst part is he wanted absolutely nothing to do with me. I was that annoying little sister who copied everything he did and followed him everywhere he went. I learned in short time to keep at least an arms distance away because if I got any closer I would get attacked with all the muscle and energy at 13 year old boy could conjure up.

When my brother wasn’t home I would sneak into his room and turn on his boom-box to listen to his music. I attempted to dance around as I saw him do and sing lyrics which had no meaning behind the memorized words coming out of my mouth. I danced crazy. I sung at the top of my lungs. I was in a world of my own where no one could touch me. This was when I first realized music guided me into a world of my own, however loud or crazy I wanted to be.

Teeny Boppers

Oh boy did I love growing up in the 90s. One word… BOY BANDS!! Being a tween at this time could not have been better in my mind. Boy bands swept the nation and I was head-over-heels for all of them! Between N’ Sync and Backstreet Boys music was unstoppable at this age. All girls my age went wild over music at these heartthrobs singing love songs we’d like to think were dedicated personally to us.

I finally started listening to lyrics. Everyone did. Quotes of love and friendship would be pulled from songs and posted all over their lockers, AIM Away Messages and secret love letters to the boy across the room in English class. The young and talented artist Taylor Swift notes “… when you’re 15 and somebody tells you they love you, you’re gunna believe them.” At this age when you loved someone it was real and damn anyone who tries to tell you otherwise! Lyrics were extremely important to relate to my life. Hours, if not days, could be spent searching to find the best song to dedicate to that special guy in 7th grade. In order to express how I felt I used lyrics and their words spoke for me.

Music for the Soul

Now as I am older I know what kind of music I like and dislike. I don’t listen to certain artists to follow the crowd but listen to enjoy the music for what it is. Music moves me. It takes me away to another place outside of my own duties and worries and into a place of relaxation and mindless pleasure. I am obsessed. I know always know what artists I want to hear which will perfectly fit my mood or change it need be. Nothing else can control me the way music does.

One of the things I love most about music is that it is so diverse. There is a song to fit every feeling, mood, and lifestyle. Songs of love for both young and old, heartbreak, death, desire, lust, friendship, drinking, drugs, college life, working life, weather, and anything else you could possibly think of. Music is for everyone and tells a story. Some stories make me laugh and some make me cry. It’s the control it has over my soul. Music is one thing I know I will have in my life forever and without it I’d be lost.

Where Do I Belong?

My undergraduate career consisted of many 101 courses as I was eager and unsure where to find my niche. I originally applied to Quinnipiac University for the broadcast program. I love taping and editing video footage to make it my own and tell a story. While in high school I was the main news anchor for our morning television show and every teacher in the technology department was my best friend. After I graduated I was asked to come back and be the videographer for the Director of the technology department’s wedding with one of my good friends. I did it a few more times for his friends who he recommended me to. Broadcast journalism was my life and I thought I was sure that was what I wanted to do.

When I arrived at school I immediately joined the television network at Quinnipiac and after a semester I absolutely hated it. Maybe a part of it was because I wasn’t the top dog anymore, but I had to quit because I wasn’t making friends and the seniors who ran the program weren’t welcoming. I didn’t get a chance or a second thought to be asked to help since I was the freshman and didn’t know anything. It was more frustrating than anything considering the editing program Quinnipiac uses is Final Cut Pro and I was a complete wiz at it from my HS experience. I try not to think this scared me away from what I really wanted but I do have to admit I am still kind of lost in where I should be at the moment.

I declared my major in Public Relations because I am very outgoing and love to interact with people. One thing I know for sure is I cannot have a job sitting at a desk typing numbers into a database all day. I need to get out there and interact, make my opinion known, and let my mind run freely. There are some aspects of PR that I absolutely love but others that I really disliked which makes me not fully satisfied with my degree. I would love to have an internship in PR to get a real grasp on what is it like, but another part of me thinks I should follow my marketing minor. I did better in the classes and always received positive feedback from my professors.

This leads me to where I am now, Interactive Communications. I want something more than the marketing and public relations I’ve been studying. I think with this degree can combine my love for editing media clips, like I did in HS with Final Cut Pro, with internet marketing and public relations. Everything is moving to the internet and even though I am nervous I think this is just the program to steer me in the direction I want to be.

BioSketch

My name is Heather Bacci and I am 21 years old. To start off with the basics I graduated 2 weeks ago from Quinnipiac University with a BA in Public Relations and a minor in Marketing. I am originally from central New Jersey right near Rutgers University and Princeton University. I am somewhat short standing at 5’2 but love to embrace it and all its advantages. The worst part is the unreachable top shelf in the kitchen. I can’t be climbing on the counters all my life so am I going to have to purchase a step-stool? Maybe I’ll just cross my fingers that I marry a tall man!

All my life I have played sports. As a kid I tried everything! T-ball wasn’t my thing as I would sit down in the outfield and pick grass the whole game. I’m sure my coach wasn’t too happy with me but I needed something more interactive and fast pace. I found my niche in soccer and gymnastics, and when I went to HS girls lacross was brought to our township and I was instantly in love! I am not a part of any sport organizations now but I love to try and stay in shape. With a combination of being lazy, my schedule and my budget I cannot get myself to the gym as often as I’d like.

Music and food are a passion of life. Food in the morning gives me enough incentive to get up and start my day, is that bad? I am not a huge cook and pretty picky; I am probably the only Italian in the world who doesn’t like tomatoes or tomato sauce. The food I do like I eat a lot of and keeps me extremely happy! My mom and friends claim that I can be in the worst mood, but give me some food and I will start humming and smiling like a little kid. Music is another big part of my life. Music soothes my soul, to throw a cliché out there, but it is true. If I want to relax I have a Mellow Yellow playlist on my ipod and if I want to get pumped up I have a Partayy playlist. I love all kinds of music, except for hard rock and rap mostly because I never know what they are talking about. I like music I can sing along and rock out to during my long drive back to New Jersey. I love learning new songs, old and new, anyone have some favorites to recommend?

The job market is very intimidating to me right now. None of my friends have jobs and they are all scared and unsure what to do next. I applied for a few jobs but I always knew I wanted to continue my education to incorporate the media into my studies more than I did in my undergraduate career.

I am a bit timid starting this Masters program as I am jumping right into two courses 505de (Web Programming) and 506de (Writing for Interactive Media) without any previous experience in Interactive Communications. I am worried I will be too far behind and not exactly sure what the course load will be like for a master’s program, let alone an online class. I hope I find what I am looking for but excited to start!

How to Ace an Interview

Going in for an interview can be very stressful and nerve racking. The best way to prepare for an interview would be to take baby steps. These 3 pointers I am offering will help you perfect any interview you have.

Research to be in Control
Ask yourself why you are interested in interviewing for this company. What do you know about the company already? Do not go into an interview unsure of these questions because these will arise and you want to have a solid well prepared answer to impress your interviewer. Knowing history and recent media coverage about the company will help you find what you may or may not like about it. Going into an interview well prepared and knowledgeable about the company can only enhance your image and interest for the position. Discuss with your interviewer what parts of the company you are interested in and what you plan on doing there. Have a plan. Do research before.

A First Impression Only Happens Once
During an interview there are many things you should keep in mind when setting a first impression. If an interviewer does not like you off the bat becuase something about you does not seem appealing, chances are you will not get the job. Present yourself in a professional manor. When dressing for an interview, you should not wear something you would wear lounging around the house or wear going out to the city at night. You need to be cleaned up and well dressed to be taken seriously, this way the interviewer knows you are serious about wanting the job you are applying for. Wear a nice pair of pants, no jeans or sweats; and a nice top that covers your shoulders and does not show any cleavage (if you are a girl). Guys will typically wear a button down shirt, tie and jacket to an interview. Girls can get away more loosely with different attire as long as it is professional. Do not wear anything skin tight, sexy, and revealing, you will not be taken seriously. On your feet, do not wear flip flops or slippers. If you are a girl wear a nice pair of flats or heals, and a guy should have a nice well kept pair of dress shoes to go with his suit. As previously stated, first impressions are important and you do not get a second chance so the way you physically present yourself is the smallest factor you can control.
In an interview, from the moment you walk through the door everything you do will be judged. Speak clearly and annunciate on your words so that your interviewer does not have trouble hearing you. Always answer with complete sentences and do not use slang words. Say “yes” instead of “yeah” and seem confidant of your answers. If you need a few moments after you are asked a question in order to gather your thoughts, take it. An interviewer would prefer you to provide a well thought out answer that makes sense and states exactly what you want to say. Giving an answer that is impulsive may not be the best one you can provide so take a minute to gather your thoughts, just make sure it isn’t too long.

A Single Page Says A Lot
Your resume is what your interviewer will look at to ultimately decide to offer you the job you are applying for. You need to include all of your contact information (i.e. email, phone number, address) in case they have any questions and need to contact you in the future. You will place all of your prior experience on this sheet of paper. Try and limit it to one page; they do not need a novel about your life and everything you have done since you have been able to talk. Put your most important accomplishments on there. Try and keep it to things you have done within the last 3 years. It is important to keep it recent and not waste their time reading things that do not apply to what you are interviewing for. On the resume you should include previous employers, where/if you went to college (and if so what your degree is in), and any special skill you may have. If you are going for a video production job and you know how to use Final Cut Pro HD; that would be great to include. It is always good to know how to operate Microsoft Office applications such as Excel and Word since many companies use these programs.

Putting these three major points together should provide you with an interview that will never fail. Stay relaxed and remember to know your information, present yourself in a professional manor (both physically and mentally), and have a well put together resume and plan. The reason for an interview is for the interviewer to really find out who you are as a person. Even if you do not have a lot of prior experience, getting yourself out there is always the first step so do not be nervous and hope for the best!