Spencer Brown

Author: Spencer Brown

Hello! My name is Spencer, I'm a cartoonist, writer, and general creative type majoring in Government and Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Translators and Interpreters: How to Get Involved

Two world leaders meet each other on the world stage. Tensions are high, the public is riding on this conversation to put their fears at ease. They stare each other down, but have no way of understanding one another! They can only be saved by one person: the translator! 

If you are well versed in another language and want to put that to use, working as a translator may be very well up your alley. The preceding paragraph is a tad misleading, as technically, when someone is speaking a language, that’s called being an interpreter, while applying this to written works is considered translating.

Translators and interpreters work in pretty much any field. Government, science, mathematics, art, business, etc. Translators and Interpreters must also be well-versed in the culture of the language/place they’re interpreting and keep the same intention in mind (maybe a language has an incredibly slight distinction between the terms “friendship” and “detestation”, they need someone to tell the difference). They must also know how to keep tone and context intact, so that the message is as well conveyed as possible.

So how do you get involved, as the title suggests? In college, studying a particular language or languages is essential to gain expert proficiency in the language(s). Programs like linguistics are also helpful. To become a true expert, a graduate degree is often required. Several schools have well regarded translation and interpretation programs. The Middlebury Institute of International Studies has a well respected Master of Arts in Translation; Translation and Interpretation program.

Many people who work in this field are freelance and get hired for odd jobs, while some sign onto agencies. A portfolio of works written in the other language (translating and transcribing speeches or videos is important.) Search job sites such as LinkedIn and Handshake, as there are plenty of requests for translation and interpretation jobs. Many of these positions are remote. NGO’s, the federal government (specifically, the State department), international business and even the film industry often are major employers of translators and interpreters.

In an increasingly globalized world, there is a need, more than ever, for folks that can translate and interpret, and there are many jobs– private and public– that are in need of people who know how to get others to understand what is being said. And if that interests you, the job of translator may just be for you!

https://www.state.gov/translation-linguists

https://www.state.gov/freelance-linguists-ols

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-a-translator

Spencer R. Brown is a senior in their second year at Lawrence University, with a major in Government. They work as the Career Peer Educator for students in both Communication, Journalism & Written Arts (#CJW) and Government, Law & International Relations (#GLI) career communities in the Career Center. A writer and animator by trade, they are fascinated in finding ways to make digesting information entertaining. Feel free to connect with them on LinkedIn here!

REVIEWING MEDIA FOR A LIVING: THE DREAM JOB

Do you ever watch a show and say “this is great, and I can pinpoint exactly why I love it”? Do you ever play a video game and say “this is awful,” and rant to your friends about the things you dislike? Well, consider putting that on paper! If you feel you have strong opinions on media, and you can write well, becoming a media reviewer of some kind might just be the job for you. There are two main types of media reviewing: TV/Movies and video games.

For video game reviewing, there are many sites that are almost always hiring, like Polygon, GameSpot, and IGN. Most accept freelance gigs and you can get your work put up on their website, and maybe a job opportunity can come through that. Otherwise, you can be hired as an editor. Freelance work, of course, is remote, but if you get to work as an editor, you likely will have to relocate. Polygon is based in New York, and IGN is based in Los Angeles. IGN is constantly hiring and have job postings up near perpetually (in both Los Angeles and New York offices). Since Polygon is owned by Vox, there are job openings on LazyApply and others (looking them up on Google doesn’t hurt… just look up “Polygon careers Vox” and they’ll pop up). And finally, GameSpot has jobs up currently on WellFound, and you can be remote or work in San Francisco.

To review movies, there are typically not many websites dedicated to just movie reviews. The New York Times, Variety, and the aforementioned Polygon and IGN all have OpEd writers dedicated to talking about film and TV shows. However, two big, modern sites dedicated exclusively to TV and movies are Screen Rant and DiscussingFilm. It appears that positions with DiscussingFilm are entirely remote, and to apply for a job there, you have to DM them on Twitter to ask if there is anything open… and Screen Rant, while based in Canada, has offices in Canada, the United States, and even the United Kingdom, and has their job postings up on their main site.

If you’re interested in the next level, and you have some experience in video production (that’s putting it very professionally, but maybe you just like making videos), you may have a place in creating videos for their YouTube pages as a producer. Job listings are the same as mentioned before, and if you like reviewing media and creating content, and you could start a YouTube channel where you do just that!

To be a reviewer requires writing experience and working for The Lawrentian would be a great place to get that experience. You don’t need to have a specific major to get involved. Just as long as you have interest and motivation in the subject, and your work is good, you have a good shot at getting involved!

WORKS CITED:
Screen Rant Careers!
Sample GameSpot Job!
Polygon Jobs!
IGN Careers!

Spencer R. Brown is a senior in their second year at Lawrence University, with a major in Government. They work as the Career Peer Educator for students in both Communication, Journalism & Written Arts (#CJW) and Government, Law & International Relations (#GLI) career communities in the Career Center. A writer and animator by trade, they are fascinated in finding ways to make digesting information entertaining. Feel free to connect with them on LinkedIn here!

AN INTRODUCTION TO SUBSTACK

Are you a writer of some kind and think “man, I wish I had a place to publish my work, but I don’t think this fits The Lawrentian”? Maybe, a little bit down the line, you might like to be paid for your work? Then consider using Substack, a typically-subscription-based platform to upload your greatest of musings! It’s especially great for those that want to put their work out there and link to specific writings for future employment.

Instead of just giving you a rundown of what makes Substack so great, I’m going to create an account and post three separate articles about things I’m interested in, just to tell you about the process of creating an account and posting to it.

Very quickly, I want to mention payment. It’s entirely optional (most influential figures will not make you subscribe with payment), but if you create a base for your writings, you could open the opportunity to payment. I tried creating subscriptions for 10 cents a month and a dollar a year, but, apparently, they hate fun and want me to charge $5 minimum for a subscription a month and $50 minimum a year. They have to make a profit somehow, since they take 10% as a commissioning fee. So, I won’t be asking people to pay for my writings… I’m just going to write for the fun of it! Whoopee!

Posting a note and posting a post are very different things. Notes are made on the home page, while posts can be created on your Substack account. Click on “Dashboard” at the top right-hand corner, and then tap “new post” if you want to make a post: the big kahunas of your writing. Click on the down arrow next to the “new post” button, and select note for smaller things. Maybe an update, or maybe something that’s not really related to what you typically do on your account.

Something much appreciated is some emails detailing the performance of a few of my articles. I got one subscriber (hooray!!) and hopefully after this goes up I get, like, one more… but I’m not doing too bad on post reads, I’ve got three now! Woohoo!! But Substack gives you information on your post 25 hours after its initial posting, and gives you stats on how many people have subscribed and how many people have read your articles for the month a few days after the end of the month.

One thing I really appreciate is that since I’m my own boss on my Substack page, I get to write about whatever I want and post whenever. Of course, it’s nice to set a schedule for yourself and maybe a theme, but I’ve decided to write about three things that pique my interest: animation, esoteric political figures, and entertaining masterfully-deranged hypotheticals. Writings of any length are welcome!

It’s incredibly easy to edit a post after it is uploaded… just click on the post and go to the ellipses next to “Share”, and the first option is “edit”. You can also easily “cross-post”, which sends it as a post as well… and you can do that right under that same ellipses.

If you want a place to publicize your writings without any limits, Substack is the place for you. You can set up payment methods if you want to, but if you don’t, it’s a great place to publish your work. Below, I’ve attached three works I’ve made just for this paper if you want to take a look through. It’s fun, it’s free, and it’s easy as pie!

https://open.substack.com/pub/yourfavoritespencer/p/whats-wrong-with-disney-animation?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

https://open.substack.com/pub/yourfavoritespencer/p/harold-stassen-who?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

https://open.substack.com/pub/yourfavoritespencer/p/why-north-and-south-dakota-need-to?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Spencer R. Brown is a senior in their second year at Lawrence University, with a major in Government. They work as the Career Peer Educator for students in both Communication, Journalism & Written Arts (#CJW) and Government, Law & International Relations (#GLI) career communities in the Career Center. A writer and animator by trade, they are fascinated in finding ways to make digesting information entertaining. Feel free to connect with them on LinkedIn here!

Museum Jobs: A Career Path for Passionate Learners

Museums are places of learning and discovery.  They offer a unique opportunity to explore art, history, and culture. For Lawrence students with a passion for these subjects, a career in museums can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience.

There are many different types of museum jobs available. Some of the most common include:

  • Curator: Curators are responsible for the overall management of a museum’s collection. They work with other staff members to select, acquire, and preserve objects for the collection. They also develop and oversee exhibitions, write educational materials and create the overall “feel” of the museum.
  • Archivist: Archivists are responsible for the care and management (and possible restoration) of a museum’s art, records and documents. They work to ensure that these materials are preserved and accessible to researchers and the public.
  • Educators: Educators create and deliver educational programs for museum visitors, either in a classroom setting, or while giving a tour.  They may work with students of all ages, from preschool to adult.
  • Researchers: Researchers conduct research on the museum’s collection and other topics related to art, history, and culture. They may publish their findings in scholarly journals or present them at conferences.
  • Marketing and Public Relations: Marketing and public relations professionals help to promote museums to the public. They develop and execute marketing campaigns, write press releases, and create social media content.
  • Fundraisers: Fundraisers work to raise money for museums. They may work with donors to secure individual gifts, or they may work with foundations and corporations to secure grants.

The qualifications for museum jobs vary depending on the specific position. However, most museum jobs require a bachelor’s degree in programs such as Art History, History, or Museum Studies, all of which are available at Lawrence. Some jobs, such as Curator and Archivist, usually require a master’s degree or higher.

If you are interested in a museum job, the next step is to get some experience under your belt! The Trout Museum of Art, Building for Kids Children’s Museum, and the History Museum at the Castle are all close to campus, and, in the past, have had Lawrence students as volunteers, interns and/or part-time employees.  Like in most careers, museums always look for experience beyond the classroom, so working at one of these three places now would provide a great museum experience with completely different vibes, showing just how diverse museums can be in subject and tone.

WORKS CITED:

https://online.maryville.edu/online-bachelors-degrees/history/careers/types-of-museum-careers/

https://www.indeed.com/q-museum-l-wisconsin-jobs.html?vjk=e2565e40d9c10eee&advn=8706969336486958

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/curators-museum-technicians-and-conservators.htm

Spencer R. Brown is a junior in their first year at Lawrence University, with a major in Government. They work as a media and marketing assistant in the Career Center, and curates articles for students in both Communication, Journalism & Written Arts (#CJW) and Government, Law & International Relations (#GLI) career communities. A writer and animator by trade and part-time mascot, Spencer is fascinated in finding ways to make digesting information entertaining. Feel free to connect with them on LinkedIn here!

Creating and Pitching Television Shows, Movies, and Video Games

Television, movies, video games, and even web series are all things we consume at least somewhat frequently, and the entertainment industry is rapidly growing and looking for new ideas (This current deficit of new, fresh ideas is at least one reason they’ve been remaking so many movies that were already fine to begin with). If you feel like you want to make a show or a movie and have an idea that you think should be out there, chances are that others would absolutely agree. This article is dedicated to explaining the basics of what you will need to get started, and a groundwork for where to go next.

The most important part of creating a show is its pitch, specifically presenting it quickly while covering the most notable parts of your idea, called an “elevator pitch.” Elevator pitches are quick, abbreviated editions of the concept itself- so quick, you should be able to pitch it to an executive in an elevator ride. For example, Breaking Bad’s elevator pitch was famously “Mr. Chips becomes Scarface,” quickly describing how a high school teacher turns into a drug lord, which was so bold, Sony executives picked it up. When you get straight to the point of an elevator pitch, you jog the cogs in someone’s brain and they become curious if there is more, which helps you move on to the next part: the pitch meeting and the bible.

Following the elevator pitch comes the pitch meeting, where those interested in making a show or movie must talk to executives. You should create a bible, or a book/binder full of different ideas for the show or movie and bring a copy to the meeting to show executives. Spongebob Squarepants’ pitch was more of an experience than a regular pitch because the creator, Stephen Hillenburg, really put his all into his pitch. He and the creative director, Derek Drymon, showed off a tiny diorama of Bikini Bottom in an aquarium tank with tiny versions of the characters in it, wheeled it into the room, and blasted Hawaiian music both wearing Hawaiian shirts, truly making the pitch their own. They told their plans for the characters and ran down the pilot with executives. It was so good, the executives wished they had it on tape. So, the best thing to do in a pitch is make it your own and have fun, because if you have fun making it, executives will have fun watching it, and they will be more inclined to pick you up. You can read through the Spongebob Squarepants show bible here! There is no right or wrong way to do a pitch, but here is a good template for how you could structure your own pitch meeting. Feel free to build off it!

The best thing about the entertainment industry is that you do not need a degree from a big school, or even in any specific program (film studies, animation, English/creative writing, computer science, etc.). For example, Lawrence alum Josh Sawyer majored in history here and participated in theater and was able to become a design director at Obsidian Entertainment and has used his love of history to create one of the best-regarded games of 2022, and one of Obsidian’s best: Pentiment. Sawyer found early on he did not want to pursue a career with his history major and used his tinkering in web design and animation to jump into the world of video game development and directed Fallout: New Vegas and the Pillars of Eternity duology.

If your pitch does not get picked up at first, know that it is completely okay! Even the greatest creators have struggled to land a place with a publisher or network. But even if it is discouraging to have your idea turned down, it is important not to give up. There are plenty more people who will be willing to give you a chance. The industry can be for anyone (including Lawrentians), and if you have any interest, the worst thing you can do is not try to get involved.

WORKS CITED:

https://www.slashfilm.com/963967/why-so-many-networks-turned-down-breaking-bad/

https://careerdevelopment.princeton.edu/sites/g/files/toruqf1041/files/media/elevator_pitch.pdf

https://www.lawrence.edu/articles/lawrence-expertise-helps-fuel-pentiment-video-game

https://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2015/12/spongebob-squarepants-made-air/

Spencer R. Brown is a junior in their first year at Lawrence University, with a major in Government. They work as a media and marketing assistant in the Career Center, and curates articles for students in both Communication, Journalism & Written Arts (#CJW) and Government, Law & International Relations (#GLI) career communities. A writer and animator by trade and part-time mascot, Spencer is fascinated in finding ways to make digesting information entertaining. Feel free to connect with them on LinkedIn here!

Being and Working for an Elected Attorney

Elected attorneys are everywhere and are necessary in every city and state, and there are only two ways to get the job: run for it or be appointed to it. There are two main types of elected attorneys: attorneys general, who oversee a state, and district attorneys, who oversee a county, city, or general area, depending on the state. If you are interested in both law and politics, then serving as (or for) an elected attorney could be a goal for you!

Here in Wisconsin, we have seventy-one district attorneys, or DAs (we have seventy-two counties, but Shawano and Menominee counties unite to elect one DA) and one attorney general, or AG. In Appleton (and Outagamie County as a whole), our DA is Mindy Tempelis, and she is responsible for three main things: prosecuting all criminal actions and asset seizure for the county, arguing her position in front of the appellate or supreme court if summoned by the Attorney General, and managing the prosecutorial unit (regarding budget and administrative issues). DAs also can issue subpoenas for a grand jury and oversee the proceedings.

The Wisconsin Attorney General, Josh Kaul, is in charge of answering questions about the law to officials, examining and certifying both bonds and trust funds, managing the state Department of Justice, and appointing people who can manage and represent the state as either defense or prosecution (depending on the case). Rarely ever do attorneys general prosecute cases, so it seems, at a first glance especially, that district attorneys have more power than attorneys general, but the state DOJ oversees more territory.

All district attorneys and attorneys general are Juris Doctors and have passed the bar exam, which you would need to do if you had interest in one of these positions. However, there are many appointed positions within both sectors. Most people they hire are law school graduates or paralegals, but there are positions (such as chief of staff and some directing posts) that may only require a bachelor’s degree. Students who have studied government/political science, history, and economics have the greatest likelihood of landing a job working for a DA or AG.

DAs and AGs are both vital to making law work. If you end up with a JD, have ideas you think would make the world a better place, and want to enter the political arena, throw your hat in the ring! With a cause people can get behind, you may have what it takes to win!

WORKS CITED:

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/978/001

https://medium.com/durham-district-attorneys-office/explained-the-role-of-the-district-attorney-7dbebd69b132

https://www.zippia.com/attorney-general-jobs/what-does-an-attorney-general-do/

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/165/015

https://www.doj.state.wi.us/professional-profiles

Spencer R. Brown is a junior in their first year at Lawrence University, with a major in Government. They work as a media and marketing assistant in the Career Center, and curates articles for students in both Communication, Journalism & Written Arts (#CJW) and Government, Law & International Relations (#GLI) career communities. A writer and animator by trade and part-time mascot, Spencer is fascinated in finding ways to make digesting information entertaining. Feel free to connect with them on LinkedIn here!