marked.

Shifting Gears

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:30:41 -0400

This page was originally created as part of a course I was taken as described in the description.

Now this page will be my way of talking about issues within the field of communication and social issues.

Keep your mark on current news and social issues!

Mark’s Final Project for Communications 119— Using...

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 07:15:22 -0500

Mark’s Final Project for Communications 119— Using Audio.

3 Companies I'd Like To Work For...

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 10:46:00 -0500

I want to go into the field of Print Journalism— and various subset fields.

1) New York Times—I know it’s cliche but the NY Times has been around since 1851, and has survived the birth of radio, television and the world wide web. It is one of the most respected newspaper in our society, and has a rich history. The name speaks volumes in regards to a career. In addition, it’s based in New York City, right in the heart of our nation’s most thriving cities.

The Times also pride themselves on diversity, and it embraces the idea of living a balanced life. For a person like myself who wants to balance a career in Communications, and continue my passion for dance and the arts- this company is ideal for me.

“Among the benefits we offer are adoption assistance, dependent and health care spending accounts, domestic partner benefits and a commuter reimbursement program. Our Employee Assistance Program offers an online resource and referral service as well as Health and Wellness seminars on a variety of topics.

Where possible, The New York Times Company offers flexible work arrangements that include flextime, part-time, compressed scheduling and telecommuting.

At some locations, we provide emergency back-up dependent care for children, parents, or spouses and working mothers have access to on-site lactation rooms.”-NY Times Company Website.

2) CNN—Although my main interest is NOT broadcast journalism, I still want to experience CNN. For starters, CNN has been technologically leading the field of Broadcast Journalism. I wouldn’t mind working in some capacity for CNN. I would even love to be one of their political reporters- where I will be able to combine my major in Communications with my major in Political Science.

3) Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater— As a dancer, I am interested in working in the arts, and Alvin Ailey is one of the most popular dance company in American dance history. The organization has a Public Relations field, which I have experience working with a local non-profit arts organization, Silk City Arts Festival in Paterson, NJ.

The position: Public Relations Intern

Responsibilities include:

Working with database of media contacts, writing and editing press releases, creating press materials and press kits, maintaining press coverage of the organization, researching media outlets for potential coverage opportunities
Updating Online press room website regularly with photos, press coverage, and press releases
General administrative support
Event staffing when appropriate

Knowledge and essential skills:Interest in Public Relations/Communications or Arts Administration; prior knowledge or experience in these areas is useful but not necessary

Interest and/or experience in the Performing Arts or Dance
Knowledge of and interest in photo/video editing and graphics (Photoshop, video editing programs) is a plus
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in a fast-paced work environment
Strong written and verbal communication skills

The Ailey company is one of my ideal companies because it would merge my two worlds, writing and dance. Then it won’t feel like I am going to work, it will feel like I am getting up every morning to go to a place I love, a career I can be proud to have.

3 out of 3 places I’d like to visit before I...

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 08:07:31 -0400

3 out of 3 places I’d like to visit before I die…

One of my Native countries, PUERTO RICO.

Esto está realmente triste, pero nunca he estado a Puerto Rico. Aunque sea hispánico, estoy en desacuerdo con mi cultura. Quiero explorar las islas, abrazo el océano, y coma la mi comida del país nativo. Antes de que muera, tengo que visitar la isla en donde tanto de los mis antecedentes familiares se sostiene.

English Translation: (DISCLAIMER: the grammar of the above text may not be 100% accurate.) This is really sad, but I have never been to Puerto Rico. Although I am Hispanic, I am out of tune with my culture. I want to explore the islands, embrace the ocean and eat my native country’s food. Before I die, I have to visit the island where so much of my family’s history is held.

2 out of 3 places I’d like to visit before I...

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 07:50:46 -0400

2 out of 3 places I’d like to visit before I die…

FRANCE!

1 out of 3 places I'd like to visit before I die...

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 19:01:00 -0400

ITALY

Voglio esplorare Roma e tutta la bellezza Italia deve offrire. Le manifestazioni di cui sopra della foto la bellezza e l’arte hanno trovato nel paese. Ho sognato sempre di andare ad Europa e di avvertire la cultura. Prima che muoia, progetto sul visualizzare l’Italia, possibile dopo la laurea dall’università di William Paterson.

(DISCLAIMER Translation: The grammar of the Italian language may NOT be 100% accurate.)

Translation: I want to explore Rome, and all the beauty Italy has to offer. The photo above shows the beauty and the art found in the country. I have always dreamt of going to Europe and experiencing the culture. Before I die, I plan on visiting Italy, possible after graduating from William Paterson University.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by..."

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 11:44:47 -0400

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
— Mark Twain”

- http://www.great-inspirational-quotes.com/

"It takes no compromising to give people their rights. It takes no money to respect the individual...."

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 12:57:00 -0400

“

It takes no compromising to give people their rights. It takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no survey to remove repressions.

—Harvey Milk

”

- 1973 speech during his first unsuccessful run for supervisor

A video exercise for Communications 119.

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 12:52:54 -0400

A video exercise for Communications 119.

Photography by Ivana Lee Carmona. Part of my Rain Photoshoot.

Sun, 10 Oct 2010 11:47:28 -0400

Photography by Ivana Lee Carmona.

Part of my Rain Photoshoot.

Audio

Sun, 03 Oct 2010 22:21:51 -0400

5 Things I Was Surprised To Learn About Communications

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 13:14:31 -0400

I have to say, I entered this course knowing a lot about the field of Communications-mostly because I spent 4 years in high school learning about it. I attended a performing arts high school where I majored in Communications and minored in Dance.

With that being said, I was surprised to learn some new things I had no idea about, and these are the five things that I learned:

1) I never thought of Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and websites such as Tumblr to have such an influence in our digestion of news, and other information. Professor Birge’s lecture on Social Media, and its contrast to Mass Media was indeed very informative. I knew that Social mediums were changing the way we interacted, but I never made the connection to Mass Media. In a sentence, I was surprised to learn just how powerful Social Media is in today’s society.

2) I didn’t know about Sound or Audio in such detail. This week’s lecture made me realize the role that sound has in our society and the huge difference it makes. I can’t imagine watching a movie without sound, and I commend the actors of the past who had to act in silent movies.

3) I was surprised to learn that even in this day and age, the Digital Divide still exists. (This surprised isn’t something directly from the lecture, but keep reading). In my 10th grade year, I took Mass Media and one of the lessons I learned was about the Digital Divide and its effects on people. Since technology, as we all know is changing the ever-evolving field that is Communications, many people who grew up in a time period when computers didn’t matter, are struggling to grasp the powerful force that is the Worldwide Web. We are in 2010, so I was surprised to see some of my classmates (those closer to my age) struggle with technology.

4) I had a general idea about how vast the field of Communications was, but I had no idea that it was as huge as it really is. It seems that EVERY aspect of life really does require some form of communications and that is amazing to me.

5) I was surprised to learn that social media has been around for decades and decades—I just think of it as a 21st century concept, but as I learned, that is NOT the case.

"Believe that you can obtain the impossible, and you will reach the realm of the unthinkable."

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 11:39:09 -0400

“Believe that you can obtain the impossible, and you will reach the realm of the unthinkable.”

- Mark Travis Rivera

"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation,..."

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 09:10:00 -0400

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”

- Confucius

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/reflection.html

My five most favorite possessions are...

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:42:00 -0400

Macbook

I had always wanted to have a Macbook, because in high school that is all I used. I became well trained in using the software, and quickly realized how essential the Mac was for my career. As a Communications major, Mac’s are great because it allows me to use software like iMovie and Photoshop to create flyers and things of that nature. As a dancer, Mac’s are great because it allows me to use GarageBand where I can cut, edit, and alter music and vocal recordings. It truly is a fantastic item, and that is why it is one of my favortie possessions.

2. Blackberry

As cliche has this may sound, I recently got a blackberry and it has changed my life. I use to be one of those people who made fun of those ‘crackberry’s’ until I got one. Since I have a lot that I am involved in, having a business smartphone like the BB makes a huge difference in my every day life. I can get work done away from my computer and from anywhere. When I had a sidekick, it was harder to work with.

3. Greeting cards from throughout the years

I am no hoarder, but I really enjoy keeping greeting cards that I get from love ones, friends and special people in my life. Every so often, I sort through them, and I read what people have written and I smile. It’s my way of time traveling to the past because whenever I read one of the cards, I think about where I was at that time in my life, and the care and love that went into getting the card and writing in it.

4. Books

As a third grader, my teacher made us read Harry Potter, and it was then that my love for books truly flourished. The more I read, the more I loved to do so. I read the entire Harry Potter series, and many books since my 3rd grade year. For several years however, I lost my love for reading. Then a couple of years ago, my passion for reading was reignited and I am glad it was. Reading books is my way of escaping the realm of my reality and enter the lives of whatever character I begin to read about.

Here are some books I suggest everyone read:

-Meaning of Matthew (the story of Matthew Sheppard)

-The Tenth Circle

-Fredrick Douglass, the Narrative of an American Slave

-Kathy Griffin, Official Book Club Selection (might be into it if you are a fan)

-Murder by Family

-Good Grief

5. Old photos of my family

I guess it is the same idea as the greeting cards. I like to see how people have physically changed throughout the years. They say that a photograph tells a thousand stories, and every time I look through them, I remember the stories of my childhood. Though some photos don’t hold the same happy moments as others, those images remind me of who I was back then, and how much I have changed—not just in my appearance but as a person. Sometimes, looking at myself as a child, helps me remember that believing that there is good in everyone, is still a reasonable belief.

How does social media define journalistic ethics?

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 12:37:00 -0400

I am an aspiring young journalist, and I am starting to question how today’s technology and social media defines journalistic ethics. In high school, when I was studying journalism, and mass media, my educators taught me the importance of ethics and laws in regards to journalism.

From censorship, libel, defamation of character, and freedom of speech—and upholding an American’s right, as well as the rights and responsibilities of a journalist.

Social media is failing to educate the every day ordinary writers, so while blogging is the wave of the future— I am left to ponder, how will social media define the journalistic ethics for the next generation?

Photography by Geraldine Abdoo

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 11:53:21 -0400

Photography by Geraldine Abdoo