Back Too Soon

School started again today. The end of the semester seems to be so close, but still too far away. It was discouraging to go to school today and realize how much I still have to do.

One good thing that happened was the Jazz contacted me today. I am going to the game tomorrow to shadow the PR man and see how things work. Of course I am excited.

Spring Break

Here is what I think of this week so far....

Still doing a ton of homework
Painfully counting the days until I go back
Reading textbooks
Itching to get out of the house
Napping (there are some good things)
Getting more homework done

Brainstorming what to do when all this madness ends
Re-thinking the decision to take so many credits
Excited that this semester is so close to over
A good job better come along when all is said and done
Kittens are not cute

Utah Jazz!

I went to lunch with the PR guy from the Jazz (see previous post). Here is how it went...well.

I was surprised when I met him to find out that he is my same age. He went to Judge Memorial High School, and knows some of my good friends from Challenger. This was kind of a shock to see a kid my age with such a high position. Then I realized that I am 26 and even though it is not old, it is not young either.

Being able to ask him a lot of questions about the Jazz and what he does was quite interesting. I was able to get a good idea of what it is going to take to get into the pro-sports basketball world. Unfortunately one of his big things was internships. I guess working two years for a different pro-sport doesn't count for anything.

This next week I am going to help set up the arena for one of the games, and run things back and forth for the media all night long. I will be there for pre-game shootaround and post game interviews. It should be a really good experience. Although they do not really have any internships available right now he said during the playoffs they need some extra help. I think I am interested especially since it is paid.

One thing I did realize from our little meeting is that going into sports at ground level is not going to get me where I want to be. I eventually would like to be involved in professional sports in a higher capacity (Owner), but to get there I will need lots of money. I need to be outside of sports to make my millions and then I can get some funds to step into the industry where I want. Working 60+ hours a week and not getting paid very much would take me far too long to move up the ladder. Therefore I think at this point I am going to step away for a little bit and do what I need to. Then one day my little nephew Fuller will be playing for my team.

Harder Than I Thought

This whole blog thing is harder than I thought. It is difficult to keep it updated. I might have been disillusioned to think that I could run a blog and conquer 28 credit hours.

Pretty Excited

This semester has been very informative. I already mentioned that many teachers and guest speakers are encouraging us to get internships. While I don't have time for an internship I did take some advice from a guest speaker and this is what transpired.

I got the number for the Director of Communications (fancy title for PR Guy) at the Utah Jazz from one of our guest speakers, who was the Jazz PR guy for 20+ years. I gave him a call and left a message. I wasn't sure whether or not he was really going to call me back. These guys are pretty busy.

Last night as I was watching the Jazz game I got a phone call. It was the PR Guy. He was calling me on a game night. I was impressed. We have a meeting set up for tomorrow. I am just going to take him to lunch and pick his brain about the industry. Hopefully I will get some good direction, but even more I hope to impress him. It would be neat to shadow him and learn about what he does. Then maybe he would see that I could be an asset to the team.

My wife was so awesome and encouraging. We discussed some things that I could discuss over lunch, but more than anything she was very supportive. What a perfect woman (I am so lucky).

My fingers are crossed. I want to stay in the professional sports industry. Lots of opportunities ahead. Watch out because here I come!

Bump in the Road

This week I took my final for my online advertising class. I was so relieved. Until I saw one of my grades.

This class had two big assignments at the end. One being a portfolio of ads, and the other my very own advertising campaign. I chose to use the navigation system Magellan for my campaign and got really excited about all of the ideas that could be used. I spent DAYS working on this project making sure I followed all instructions and included everything that was required. I got some help from a very credible source within the advertising industry, and was well on my way. When I submitted the assignment I was almost positive I would see a B grade.

The day finally came and my grade was posted. The suspense had been killing me. I checked and it was an.....E

E???? Really??? Do you know what that means???? I failed!! I completely botched it!! No sympathy and no love from Mr. Professor. I wasn't even close. I got an E!!! I was going to die.

In the syllabus the instructor states that even average work will get a C and that an E means I didn't even try. I couldn't believe it. My ego was nicked. I worked so hard. Who is he to say that I didn't even try? What a jerk!

My first thought was to go straight down to BYU and punch that stupid professor right in his PhD!

Then I calmed down and decided to email him. I wanted to know where I went wrong. Fortunately he replied and said I could fix some things for a better grade. He also attached what a 'good' advertising campaign looked like, and if I wanted a decent grade I needed to do better.

Do you know what that 'good' campaign looked like? It looked like someone working for the company gave their advertising campaign to the kid and said, 'Here boy copy this. It might just get you the grade you need.'

I don't know how I am going to do better. This person used photo shop and put a watermark on every page. I don't know how to do that crap. What am I supposed to do?

I am just going to have to make changes and hope for the best. At least he gave me a second chance.

If I don't pass this class I don't graduate. Everyone pray for me!

Getting an Idea

In my public relations classes we have had a number of guest speakers. Each of them are professionals from the industry and have given different advice. There are a couple of things that each one of them has said that are consistent.

1. Get an internship
2. Viral marketing is the next big thing

The last thing I want to do is more school, but I have decided that I want to get ahead in the game. Therefore I would like to announce that I am going to apply for grad school immediately and will be.....I can't even finish that sentence. It's not true anyway.

My plan is to actually start taking some web design classes in the summer. I am also going to learn how to post videos on youtube, maybe set up a myspace profile, and mess around with Second Life. Everyone keeps telling me that with those kinds of skills I will be ahead of the game, and it sounds more fun that more classes.

As far as an internship goes...I think I have enough work experience to be able to jump into an entry level position, at least. Besides, that is what an internship turns into anyway.

So wish me luck! I want to leave college and start making the big bucks, but I have realized that without viral marketing I am nothing.