Oh, they’re complimentary...

“Oh, they’re complimentary” …being a reporter is great

I now officially understand the perks of being considered “the media”. As a Newton TAB reporter, I was able to snag floor seats to the Boston Symphony Orchestra last Thursday night (and the post-concert Project Runway fashion reception).

(The fabulous designs at the finale of the Project Mozart runway show...)


Funny thing that happened: I noticed someone sitting in front of me with a faux-hawk hairdo who was writing during the concert. I found out later that it was Jonathan Soroff of the Improper Bostonian, who ended up “hosting” the Project Mozart runway show after the concert. Weird, right? I felt sort-of important—for about 5 minutes—when I found out I had just as good of seats as he did.)

Thursday was the last night for Project Mozart, a fashion design competition that challenged participants to create a garment inspired by the work of Mozart. Five Lasell College students and one from Mount Ida were chosen for the competition so the TAB sent me there to cover it. It would have been a great local story if someone from Newton had won. But I still wrote the article anyway from a local angle (necessary for community journalism) and sent it to the editor for deadline day.

I opened the paper the next day and found that my article got bumped for a more regional piece (appearing in all the TABs) that didn’t just focus on the Newton students. Oh well, I learned that sometimes you write something for nothing except the experience, but hopefully it will end up on Newton’s website at least.

I wasn’t upset because just being able to go to the BSO was a great experience in itself (I had never been before). I even brought my ice fishing, flannel-hat-wearing boyfriend…who loved it.

Even if you aren’t a die-hard classical music fan, the BSO is a fun way to explore Boston and just do something different. It even has discounted tickets for students and is right on the MBTA line, so there are no excuses to do the same thing every night.

Meeting Industry People

Thank goodness for that long President’s Day weekend we just had!

I love being at Lasell, but everyone needs a break from classes and internships now and again. Plus, I think too many late night trips to the Campus Center for delicious pancakes and buffalo chicken wraps are taking their toll…

I had a really interesting class last week in Publication Editing, with adjunct Professor Patrick Kennedy, who works at Boston University as an editor in the Office of Creative Services. He arranged for us to have a Q and A with Joe Keohane, former editor of the Weekly Dig. Keohane was personable, down to earth, and taught us a lot. He told us about the dynamics between writer and editor, teaching us that in order to be a journalist, you cannot be overly sensitive. You’re going to get your work edited, cut and sometimes completely overhauled, he said.

Personally, I used to hate whenever a teacher would grab that infamous red pen and “ruin” my work. But now I realize editing can be good for you and helps you grow as a writer.

I also recently attended an Intercultural Communication seminar hosted by the International Association for Business Communicators for FREE. Plus the seminar’s featured speaker was the author of the book we used in my intercultural communication class. Now that’s what I call “Connected Learning”, (Lasell’s motto f.y.i)

I thought that whole “Connected Learning” idea was just a motto, but I'm really seeing that this is how Lasell delivers education.

Hey Everyone!

My name is Shannon, and I am a senior at Lasell. I am a fashion merchandising major with a minor in communications. I work on campus for the Registrar’s Office: I am the one who puts up class cancellations at 8:30am in 9 degree weather and helps angry students who can’t get into their preferred classes :)

I am interning with Michelle, the Director of Communications in the Office of Communications. I learn about media relations and assist her with gaining press for Lasell. I sometimes work from my room, sometimes at Klingbeil (the Institutional Advancement building), or I am running around campus. It’s a lot of fun, I never know what assignment or task I’m given next. This blog is one of them!

I also intern at the weekly newspaper Newton TAB; my fancy job title is “correspondent” (so cool!). I write stories for the paper and help the Editor with proofreading and formatting. I just edited something that said “pubic administration” instead of "public administration"…can you imagine if that went into the paper?!! Yesterday I got to write the Police blog. It’s funny to read what weekly “crime” happens in Newton, which is hardly any.