I can not believe what all I have learned so far. I wrote my first press release and although it wasn't awful I did not nail it. There are definitely things I am having to tweak to it. Writing a press release was actually pretty fun. I didn't dread it like other writing assignments I encounter. Once I started typing the words just started to flow. I think I do better when I am writing actual information pieces. 

I showed it to me mentor and he seemed kind of impressed with it being my first one and all. He gave me great pointers and suggestions on how to make it better so I am very excited to back in a few days and share the changes. I hope to get good enough I am able to tackle a real topic.

This past week I had another great mentor visit. I am constantly learning more and more about communication and public relations each time I step into my mentor's office. The advice I am given is priceless and makes me eager to continue on my ISM journey. I have now been assigned to attempt a press release by my mentor, a task I have been wanting to tackle ever since I sat in on a junior PR class at UNT. A press release is immediately what you think of, or at least I do, when you think of public relations. They are published everyday and are used not only by those in the sports field but also in other professions. I know with a little guidance from other press releases I can really do well on this assignment. Can not wait to blog all about my results next week!

Busy, Busy bee! That is what has been describing my ISM experience lately. I turned in my original work and am now onto thinking about my final project. 

Things are moving too fast!

At the moment I have do not have a clue as to what my final project is going to look like but I now it will come to me sooner or later. What is cool, but very hard, about ISM is there is not much for you to go off of. Everyone studies something different so there isn't much of sharing and collaborating taking place. What is cool about being so on your own and independent is that you can use your imagination and go about assignments in your own way! You see yourself becoming more creative than you once thought you were. 

Looking forward to my mentor visit this week and sharing on how it goes.

This past week was unfortunately not too eventful. Due to weather and my driving recorded in situations in poor conditions I wasn't able to have a mentor visit. Instead I will have two this week so my next blog post will actually be worth reading! At the end of this week I have my original work due and I am freaking out about it. There really isn't much criteria to go off of or even an example for what I am studying. I can always improve my original work further down the road when I gain more knowledge on my topic too. After the original work next thing we know our final work will be due and ready for final presentation night will be happening! Wish me luck on this busy week and I will update on how it all turns out next Monday.

This past week was my very first official mentor visit. I had a great time and am so excited to start going weekly. Right out of the gate I stated to learn things and there is still so much more of it to be done! This week I really need to nail down and do my original work though. My plan for it is to develop a few questions and the media might ask the company I am working with and address those questions. This original work was actually thought up from my mentor and it definitely beat my original work idea. What excites me the most about doing the work I am is the fact that in college next I might have a similar assignment and I will be well prepared. That feeling of being lost and clueless will now be a thing of the past due to the experiences I am receiving. I am thrilled to keep my blog updated with my progress with not only my original work but also my progress with my final presentation. 

Last week I was able to finally nail down my mentor visits as well as narrow down on my original work. My mentor is having me concentrate on working to develop a possible campaign in regards to some controversy the company has been experiencing. I thrilled due to the project being focused on a present situation and me having little reference on how to approach it. I will be meeting with my mentor for our first official visit later this week and am looking forward to his feedback on the homework assignment he has already given me. 

One of the best parts about starting the mentor visits is being able to do assessments on them and reflecting on what I was able to take from the meeting. The assessments also help me retain the information and little things I was able to pick up from the visits. I cannot wait for my post next Monday and talk able my visit!

Long time no talk! Winter break is over and the second semester has started. The last week before break we finally had our winter showcase. It went great!! We had a great turn out and every student’s display boards were fantastic looking! I was very proud of the work I put out and am already excited for our next and final showcase in the spring. 

The best part was being able to talk to others about my study in sports PR. Not only did I talk to people there that I had invited but also just random people who I hadn't known and were just drawn to my table. I am very proud of how I set up my project. It was at a perfect point of getting my point across and sharing great information without it being hard to read with too much wording. Not only did I have my display board but also my laptop to the side playing sports high lights providing a little more excitement. I am happy to be back at school and continuing to work on my ISM.