#CJW

Tag: #CJW

Content Creators

By Lauren James-Spielman

Depending on who you ask, content creation can equate to entirely different things, from a seasoned journalist to a bombastic YouTuber. Many of us wish we could make a living through live streaming and uploading videos, and while most won’t, it is completely possible to apply those same skills to a more traditional job. As long as you are producing and sharing information or media content for specific audiences, you are a content creator!

With this in mind, let’s explore some of the various content creation opportunities in the workplace:

Social Media Managers: Keeping up to date on the latest trends and applying them to a company’s social media pages is an essential part of branding and exposure. Social Media Managers create content that is creative with fun and innovative posts that encourage audiences to engage with your content.

Content Writers: Every company needs writers to clearly explain their products, persona, and values. Blog posts, articles, and newsletters are often the most informative ways a company communicates with their audience.

Graphic Designers: Logos, illustrations, and photographs all capture the image of a company when you think about them in your mind. Developing a balance of creativity and professionalism is the key to maintaining a company’s reputation, which is why graphic designers are so vital.

Audio Content Creators: The audio aspect of content creation has a wide range of options, including podcasting, music creation, and voice acting. Being the literal voice of a company makes it vital to curate your tone and energy accordingly.

If you’re worried about the amount of experience you have, creating content for yourself or others through gig work is one of the easiest ways to add to your portfolio! Don’t be afraid to explore and try new things in Photoshop, Canva, or various image, audio, and video editing programs to create your own content on topics that interest you.

One of the best places to complete quick jobs is UpWork, a gig-based job seeking site with new opportunities being posted every week! Browsing through their various openings may also give you ideas as to what kind of content you want to make.

Works Cited:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Content_creation
https://www.upwork.com/freelance-jobs/content-creation/
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/graphic-designers.htm

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!

The State Department Consular Fellows Program Language Test

If you are applying for a Foreign Service Officer position with the United States Department of State, there is a good deal of testing involved in the application process. One of the tests is the Consular Fellows Program Language Test. The Consular Fellows Program Language Test is a language screening test administered by the Foreign Service Institute’s Division of Language Testing and Assessment (FSI). It is the second stage of the application process for candidates who have passed the Qualifications Evaluation Panel (QEP). The test is used to assess a candidate’s proficiency in Mandarin, Spanish, Arabic, or Portuguese.

The following account of taking the Consular Fellows Program Language Test was written by former Lawrence student.

“This is my experience taking the Consular Fellows Language Test. Disclaimer: I took the test in late September of 2022, so it is possible that the test structure may have changed by the time you are reading this. I am writing this for you because when I was preparing for my Language Test, there were very few resources out there to get me familiar with what the test was like. Hopefully, you will find this helpful.

To begin, you will meet two people during the test, one test proctor and one native speaker of the language you are testing for. You will be talking with a native speaker most of the time, the test proctor will give you directions in English and you direct any questions you have about the test to them.

Speaking Test (30 Minutes)

The Speaking Test is technically an OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview). Information on the OPI can be found here. The test is broken up into three parts (the warm-up, discussion, and interview of the tester). It is important to mention that in the test: What you say does not really matter, all that matters is that you can say whatever it is you are saying. Try not to say anything in your native language, only speak in your target language. The Speaking Test is only concerned with that and how you communicate in your target language. So, you could technically lie in all your answers, just as long as all that you are saying is grammatically correct and in your target language.

Part 1: Warm-up

The State Department description is, “The examinee and tester have a discussion centered on biography, current events, or other topics.” That description is accurate to my experience. The native speaker asked me to introduce myself. You can include details like where you go to school, what you study, recent travels, hobbies, etc. Note: Anything you mention here, even in passing, can be taken by the native speaker and they will ask you to expand on the thing you mentioned. Just make sure that with anything that you say, you are prepared to talk about it further and in your target language.

Part 2: Discussion

The State Department description is, “Discussion prepared and presented by the applicant, from a list of topics presented to the applicant.” From my experience, the title “Discussion” is misleading, Part two was much more like an oral presentation. You get 7 minutes (or so) to talk about/make a case about a topic of the test proctor’s choosing. This is not a discussion; it is a speech you think up on the fly. The test proctor will tell you the topic and give you a couple of moments to think about a response, then you will have to present whatever it is you want to say about the topic. Topics like politics, climate change, a recent international economic catastrophe/success, and any general global event all are fair game to be asked to talk about. After my test, I asked the test proctor if you were presented with a topic you have no knowledge of, can you ask to get a new topic. And unfortunately, you cannot. So, during Part two, just work with what you have and what you know.

Part 3: Interview the Tester

The State Department’s description is, “You get the chance to interview the tester.” That description is accurate to my experience. The test proctor gives you a topic to ask the native speaker questions about. After the native speaker is done answering, the test proctor will ask you to report back to them (in English) on what the native speaker said.

The Reading Test

You get to read two passages (each about one page in length)  You get 12 minutes per passage to read, and you can take notes during this time. After your reading time is up, the test proctor will ask you to tell them about what you read. Here, say everything you know about the passages. The two passages will be on topics pertaining to the country/countries where your target language is spoken, like a social phenomenon, current events, modern politics, and the state of that country’s economy.”

How to Prepare for the Test

● Brush up on vocab words you might need to know or that you might want to use during the speaking test

● Get used to reading the news in your target language

● Read up on current events (in English and your target language) to prepare for the speaking test

● Speak in your target language as much as possible. Talk with a friend in that language, and talk to yourself in that language

● Listen to your target language as much as possible. Listen to music in that language, watch movies/TV shows/the news from countries that speak that language

● Make an appointment to do a practice OPI. Ask your language teacher to sit down with you and do a practice OPI or just have a conversation in your target language

WORKS CITED:

https://www.boxyk.com/foreign-service-1/2022/12/12/the-qep-where-most-applications-go-to-die

https://www.languagetesting.com/oral-proficiency-interview-opi

https://www.languagetesting.com/pub/media/wysiwyg/manuals/opi-examinee-handbook.pdf

Voice Acting

Voice acting is a unique and exciting career that allows individuals to use their vocal talents to bring characters to life. Voice actors are in demand in a variety of industries, including film, television, video games, commercials, podcasts and more.

People become voice actors for a variety of reasons. Some are drawn to the creative nature of the work and the opportunity to bring characters to life through their voices. Others appreciate the flexibility of the profession, which allows for remote work and freelance opportunities. Salaries for voice actors can vary widely depending on factors such as experience level and the type of project they are working on. Top voice actors earn six-figure salaries.

To get started in voice acting, many begin by freelancing. There are several freelance websites where voice actors can find work. Some popular options include Voices, Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer.com, Guru, and Peopleperhour. These sites offer a range of opportunities for voice actors at different experience levels and price ranges.

To become a voice actor, one should have experience in acting methods and vocal techniques. Some important techniques include warming up and performing vocal exercises before any voice-acting session. This can include full body stretching, facial stretches, and airflow exercises. Voice actors should also be skilled at character-driven performances, using their vocal tone to convey emotion. Mastering accents and dialects is another important skill for voice actors. Analyzing and interpreting scripts is also crucial for voice actors, as it allows them to understand the character they are portraying and deliver a convincing performance. Experimenting with vocal tones and emotions can help voice actors develop their range and versatility. Continuously honing their acting skills and embracing feedback from others can also help voice actors improve their craft.

Many voice actors begin their careers by learning to act on stage or in films. A bachelor’s degree in acting or theater arts can provide valuable experience in performing and knowledge of fundamental acting principles. Acting classes and workshops can also help individuals improve their abilities by learning from experts with proficiency in techniques like characterization, vocalization, and interpretation.

Voice actors should also have technical knowledge of audio equipment, sound recording techniques and audio software like Adobe Audition, Audacity and Apple GarageBand. These are just a few of the software packages used by voice talent.

There are many famous voice actors who have brought beloved characters to life through their vocal talents. Some examples include Mel Blanc, who voiced nearly every character on Looney Tunes, and Tara Strong, who has starred in animations like The Fairly OddParents, Rugrats, The Powerpuff Girls, as well as the Final Fantasy video game series. Actor James Earl Jones, known for saying “This is CNN” is best known as the voice of Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise. A Generation X hero is Peter Cullen, known for his vocal portrayal of Optimus Prime through several generations of the Transformers franchise. Interestingly, Optimus Prime’s nemesis, Megatron is often voiced by actor Frank Welker, who is believed to have more vocal acting credits than anyone else, with nearly 900 film, television, and video game roles.  Although most people have never heard of him, with a total worldwide box-office gross of $17.4 billion, Frank Welker is the third highest-grossing actor of all time!

WORKS CITED:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_acting

https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/

https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/voice-actor-requirements-advice-75466/

https://www.mymajors.com/career/voice-actor/education/

https://cloudlancer.com/best-voice-over-software-for-voice-actors/

https://www.websiteplanet.com/blog/best-voiceover-websites/

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/aug/09/frank-welker

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!

Public Relations

Public relations is a big umbrella term, since it covers so many things! You could be creating media for a brand, speaking for an important figure, or writing for an organization, and you would not be wrong calling it public relations. If you are interested in writing, being creative, and/or getting your face out there, public relations is a field you should look at!

Jobs in public relations, or PR as will be said throughout the article, involve you being the spokesperson for an organization or person in a way. Sometimes, you’re directly speaking for a person or organization, like Press Secretary for the White House, and at other times, you could be the voice of the  SunnyD Twitter account, hoping this attempt at humor will be even funnier than your last try.

There are several career paths in PR, such as administration (press secretary), marketing (marketing coordinator), communications (content manager), media (media director), account managing (brand specialist), and development (fundraising), and usually these jobs go to people in communications, business, and social sciences, but because of how broad PR is, any person with any college degree can get involved in a sector that fits their needs. Your creativity and your sense of humor are vital to any PR job you have interest in because employers love to see what you can do differently from what came before. In a way, public relations is a playground and allows you to be as personal as you want to be in your role.

So, what do you do if you are interested in a job in public relations? There are jobs on Handshake and Indeed, but you can also visit the website of the Public Relations Society of America (www.prsa.org). In addition to being a resource for Public Relations professionals, you will find several job postings that you may not see posted anywhere else.

How do you get started? Like most every other occupation, getting an internship while still in college is particularly important. Also, take classes that will help develop both your verbal and written communication skills. As always, making connections with PR professionals already in the work place is vital, so visit the Career Center to find out more about PR jobs and  connections with Lawrence alumni already working in PR. Make your appointment with the Career Center here!

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/what-are-public-relations-jobs

https://www.prsa.org/career/find-a-job

Spencer R. Brown is a sophomore experiencing 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 school mascot, Spencer is fascinated by finding ways to make digesting information entertaining. Feel free to connect with them on LinkedIn here!