Dearmon, Anna

Career Assignment

2004-06-30T08:25:00.000-05:00

Press Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry explained the role that he plays in agricultural public relations and the necessary steps that should be taken to be successful in this profession.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics and the website of the Public Relations Society of America also provides specific information about a career as a public relations manager.

“Public relations is so broad a field,” said Press Secretary Larry Michaud,” that you could end up doing anything from writing annual reports to planning press conferences.”

Michaud earned his Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Journalism from Louisiana State University when the journalism department consisted of two classrooms. He was sports reporter for The Reveille during his undergraduate years. During graduate school he worked as a graduated assistant for the Associated Press. Michaud has worked as a reporter for the Miami Herald, the Baton Rouge Advocate, and the State Times. After Michaud worked as a Capitol Bureau reporter for several years, Commissioner Odom offered Michaud the Press Secretary position.

The official definition of public relations according to the Public Relations Society of America is:

“Public relations helps an organization and its publics adapt mutually to one another.”

Michaud explained that he accomplishes this for the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry in a number of ways.

“We publish a Market Bulletin every two weeks,” Michaud said. “It’s mostly classifieds but there are some stories. I specialize in rural life, so most stories have to do with rural life.”

He also writes press releases and policy papers for Commissioner Odom. Also, he sets up press conferences and interviews with reporters.

Michaud expressed that his past as a reporter prepared him for this position.

“I write these press releases and distribute them to the 150 newspapers in the state and the Associated Press,” he said. “If a release is too long, or poorly written, the editor tosses is straight to the trash.”

He said that knowing how to write press releases in the format of a news story is critical because an editor controls what the people read.

“You have to please the editor first,” he said.

Michaud also believes that a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism is a necessity. He also suggested that I look into internships available within the mass communication office.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) a publication of the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides further insight on the qualifications of a public relations practitioner. Most employers prefer people in these positions to have a Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in Public Relations or Journalism. The curriculum should include courses in advertising, business administration, public affairs, public speaking, political science, and creative and technical writing.

The OOH also mentions that the ability to speak a foreign language is highly valued in some areas.

Business is the most recommended secondary area of study for people interested in this field according to the OOH.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics also provides information on the varying salaries of people in the public relations field. Earnings can depend on an individual’s qualifications and experience, responsibilities of the position, financial strength of the organization, and the general state of the economy.

The average entry-level salary in public relations for a person with a Bachelor’s degree is approximately $18,000 to $22,000. Those with addition education or experience, as well as graduating members of the Public Relations Student Society of America could qualify for higher salaries.

An account executive of a consulting firm can earn upwards of $35,000 to $40,000 as will a person with a comparable responsibility in a company’s public relations department.

A public relations director for a small- to medium-sized organization may earn $35,000 to $40,000 while the range for a large corporation more likely would be $40,000 to $60,000.

Salaries from $75,000 to $150,000 are earned by a number of very experienced public relations executives, who often carry the title of vice president.

The OOH also stated that personnel in the Northeast and Midwest regions of the United States tend to be higher paid.

______________________________________________________

i really liked this assignment, and i learned a lot more than i felt like i could write about without going overboard. i found a public relations personality checklist and some horror stories from people in the business.

Mediasaurus

2004-06-23T14:21:00.000-05:00

The author of Jurassic Park announced that mass media as we know it would be dead within 10 years.

Author Michael Chrichton said that mass media will be extinct because of the decline in quality of information presented.

He believes that a new format must be adopted in order for the industry to survive.

“To my mind, it is likely that what we now understand as the mass media
will be gone within ten years. Vanished, without a trace.”

Chrichton explained his views when he spoke to the National Press Club. He is currently involved in a feud with the media concerning his book Rising Sun. Some reporters have labeled him a racist Japan-basher without first reading his book.

Chrichton believes that there has been evidence of impending extinction for a long time.

“We all know statistics about the decline in newspaper readers and network television viewers,” said Chrichton. “The polls show increasingly negative public attitudes toward the press - and with good reason. A generation ago, Paddy Chayevsky's Network looked like an outrageous farce. Today, when Geraldo Rivera bares his buttocks, when the New York Times misquotes Barbie (the doll), and NBC fakes news footage of exploding trucks, Network looks like a documentary.”

He says that people believe that the media does not report the country’s problems, but instead is a part of them.

“Increasingly, people perceive no difference between the narcissistic self-serving reporters asking questions, and the narcissistic self-serving politicians who evade them,” said Chrichton.

Poor quality reporting, according to Chrichton, is the reason for the predicted downfall of mass media. He compared the mass media industry to an automobile company that produces poorly made, but showy vehicles.

“The media are an industry,” he said, “and their product is information. And along with many other American industries, the American media produce a product of very poor quality. Its information is not reliable, it has too much chrome and glitz, its doors rattle, it breaks down almost immediately, and it's sold without warranty. It's flashy but it's basically junk. So people have begun to stop buying it.”

Chrichton said that information is too important in our lives to be poor in quality.

“Information today is vitally important. We live by it. For the first time in our history, by the year 2000, 50 percent of all American jobs will require at least one year of college,” said Chrichton. “In this environment, news isn't entertainment - it's a necessity. We need it - and we need it to be of high quality: comprehensive and factually accurate.”

Chrichton noted that many factors contribute to the decline in quality.

“Poor quality results, in part, from the American educational system, which graduates workers too poorly educated to generate high-quality information. In part, it is a problem of nearsighted management that encourages profit at the expense of quality,” said Chrichton. “In part, it is a failure to respond to changing technology – particularly the computer-mediated technology known collectively as the Net. And in large part, it is a failure to recognize the changing needs of the audience.”

Chrichton also described the restructuring that many American companies have gone through in order to produce high-quality products.

“We all know what this requires:” he said. “Flattening the corporate hierarchy. Moving critical information from the bottom up instead of the top down. Empowering workers. Changing the system, not just the focus of the corporation. And relentlessly driving toward a quality product. Because improved quality demands a change in the corporate culture. A radical change.”

With the exception of CNN and C-SPAN, positive innovation of the media has not been typical, said Chrichton.

“Instead of focusing on quality, the media have tried to be lively
or engaging - selling the sizzle, not the steak; the talk-show host, not
the guest; the format, not the subject. And in doing so they have
abandoned their audience”

The media attempts to conceal their lack of knowledge on a subject by asking general questions and not paying attention to detail, said Chrichton.

“It's easy for the press to behave this way. You don't have to be knowledgeable about trade to ask Mickey Kantor if he is a protectionist,” said Chrichton. “In fact you don't have to know much to ask any question that takes the general form of: ‘Are we doing enough?’ Or ‘Are we going too fast or too slow?’ Or ‘Is it fair?’ Or ‘Is it really the best way to go about it?”

Chrichton believes that technology is the answer the media’s problems.

“The media have always been driven by technology, but it's surprising how many of their attitudes and terminologies are very old,” said Chrichton.

He compares the inefficiency of mass media to the telephone operator placing your calls for you.

“Today's media equivalent of the old telephone operator is Dan Rather, or
the front page editor, or the reporter who prunes the facts in order to be
lively and vivid. Increasingly, I want to remove those filters, and in
some cases I already can. When I read that Ross Perot appeared before a
Congressional committee, I am no longer solely dependent on the lively and
vivid account in The New York Times, which talks about Perot's folksy
homilies and a lot of other flashy chrome trim that I am not interested
in. I can turn on C-SPAN and watch the hearing myself. In the process, I
can also see how accurate The New York Times account was. And that's
likely to change my perception of The New York Times, as indeed it has.
Because The New York Times seems to have a problem with Ross Perot. It
reminds me of the story told about Hearst, who remarked upon seeing an old
adversary on the street, ‘I don't know why he hates me, I never did him a
favor’.”

Chrichton noted that people are willing to pay for what they want.

“More and more, people understand that they pay for information. Online
databases charge by the minute. As the link between payment and
information becomes more explicit, consumers will naturally want better
information. They'll demand it, and they'll be willing to pay for it,” said Chrichton.

He believes that if high quality information is made available to people, then they will pay for it.

“What if somebody offered me a service with high-quality information?” asked Chrichton. “A service in which all the facts were true, the quotes weren't piped, the statistics were presented by someone who knew something about statistics?
What would that be worth? A lot. Because good information has value. The
notion that it's filler between the ads is outdated.”

Chrichton believes that the answer to the medias problems is better utilization of the internet.

“Once Al Gore gets the fiber optic highways in place, and the information
capacity of the country is where it ought to be, I will be able, for example, to view any public meeting of Congress over the Net,” said Chrichton. “And I will have artificial intelligence agents roaming the databases, downloading stuff I am interested in, and assembling for me a front page, or a nightly news show, that addresses my interests. I'll have the twelve top stories that I want, I'll have short summaries available, and I'll be able to double-click for more detail. How will Peter Jennings or MacNeil-Lehrer or a newspaper compete with that?”

Assignment #5

2004-06-21T09:15:00.000-05:00

Orientation Leaders Pass Tiger Spirit to Incoming Freshmen

The busy summer sessions of freshman orientation at Louisiana State University have been successfully executed thus far according to several members of the orientation staff.

The dedication and “Tiger Spirit” possessed by the orientation group leaders, team leader and coordinator is obvious because of the long hours spent preparing the campus to welcome the graduating class of 2008.

“Everything has gone very smoothly so far during the sessions,” said Kelli Webber, Coordinator of Orientation/Spring Testing. “There have been no major disasters and I’m very proud of my orientation leaders.”

Webber has been working with Freshman Orientation, Advising and Pre-registration (FOAP) for three years, and has been adviser to the LSU Ambassadors for four years.

Orientation group leader Laura Vinsant agreed. “Even though I’m the same age as many of the kids in my group, they are still very respectful and excited about getting all of the new information.”

Vinsant is a sophomore in Mass Communications and a member of LSU Ambassadors. Her main duty for orientation is to lead a group of 20-30 students from a specific college and help them schedule classes.

All orientation leaders are members of the university organization LSU Ambassadors. LSU Ambassadors is the group designated by LSU to recruit, orient and advise its students. This unique organization is made up of over 200 members chosen through a two-round selection process. After the list of around 80 new members is posted, a rigorous training begins to prepare the new ambassadors for the various duties required of them. After completing training, they are awarded the legendary yellow polos for which they are most recognized around campus. The LSU Ambassadors assist the university with recruiting and orientation events such as Tiger Day, Spring Testing and transfer orientations.

A special application process is required to be chosen as a FOAP leader. Around 60 Ambassadors apply each year for the 24 positions by submitting a two-page application and participating in an interview. Since FOAP leader is a paid position by the Office of Orientation/Spring Testing, the application requires employment history and references. A FOAP leader makes around $950 for attending all seven sessions plus a two-week long training.

Brandon Singleton is the 2004 Orientation Team Leader. This means that he plans the intensive two-week training of leaders, oversees the groups during sessions, and assists the coordinator in any way necessary. Singleton is an elementary education major with a lot of experience in the orientation department. He previously served as the 2002 Orientation Team Leader and he has worked as a group leader.

Orientation consists of seven two-day long sessions with around 600 incoming students participating in each session. Each week there is typically a session on Monday and Tuesday and/or a session on Thursday and Friday. Webber said that this is the first summer in which four sessions were presented back to back with only Wednesday or the weekend to prepare for the upcoming session.

Webber and Singleton agreed that the busier schedule was stressful.

“I’d rather have more time between sessions because we have to reorganize and rebuild after each session,” Webber said. “A lost of multitasking is going on to reorganize for a new session while one is still taking place.”

Webber also noted that parental involvement was higher than usual this year.

“Around 600 students and 500 parents came to the first session. Many parents were not pre-registered, so we did not expect that many.”

Parents go through their own family orientation and are separated from the students most of the time. Webber said that students are encouraged to be independent during their sessions.

Another thing unique to FOAP 2004 is the introduction of a summer reading book. Fast Food Nation is being given to each student, and they are encouraged to read it over the summer. Webber is surprised that it is being received so well. She has even noticed some students reading it during the breaks between meetings. Vinsant has noticed within her groups that some students showed resistance to the program on the first day.

“However,” she said, “after the Reality LSU presentation on Day Two when the program is explained to them, they seemed more interested.”

Reality LSU is a presentation of vital information for college life in general. Speakers from different departments on campus gave speeches on everything from keeping a good credit history during college to staying safe on campus. Vinsant said that one improvement to the Reality LSU program from last year was the addition of more skits, games, and opportunities for the incoming students to meet one another.

“I have the best job in the world because I get to introduce new tigers to LSU and all that is has to offer,” said Webber. “I bet to share the experiences that I’ve had at LSU.”

Although Webber did not graduate from LSU, as a new staff member she had many of the same fears that new freshmen experience.

“Many students fear that they will only be a number, but it’s not like that here,” she expressed.

Webber enjoys working with the orientation leaders. “Watching them grow as leaders throughout the course of the summer is so rewarding,” she said.

Vinsant hopes that she has left a mark on the incoming freshmen, and given them a little bit of her “Tiger Spirit.”

story 2

2004-06-15T09:43:00.000-05:00

Math Students Begin Transition to Computerized Learning

Business calculus students at LSU learned on the first day of class that they would be “guinea pigs” as a part of the transition to computer integrated courses.

For the past eight months, a committee of math experts has been working diligently researching and preparing for the integration of technology into math classes at LSU.

Board member Brad Golson reported that the LSU Board of Supervisors is very pleased with the progress that the Center for Academic Excellence has made to implement the programs devised by the Math Technology committee.

Brad is the student member on the LSU Board of Supervisors and is currently serving LSU as Student Government Association president.

“At the end of the summer, we will hear reports on the progress made as a result of introducing the transition with summer classes,” Golson mentioned. “I am very excited about seeing those results.”

The technology integration will place LSU’s most qualified faculty in front of students. In order to accomplish this, class sizes must be increased. To facilitate larger classes slide show lecture presentations and computer testing have been researched and are currently being implemented. The hiring of Ph.D. faculty is a key part of the university’s Flagship Agenda. Also, the new teaching methods should boost LSU’s status in the U.S. News and World Report’s annual “America’s Best Colleges” index. One-fourth of an institution’s score is based on the number and quality of the faculty with Ph.D.s. Class size constitutes a small portion of the score. LSU Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Risa Palm noted at the Board of Supervisors’ meeting that even with small improvements in this category, LSU should elevate its placement in the index.

Math 1431/Business Calculus and Math 1022/Trigonometry were chosen to begin the transition to computer-integrated curriculum. Eventually all math classes preceding Math 1550/Analytic Calculus will follow suit.

All four sections of Math 1431 for the summer semester are taught in technology ready rooms in Lockett Hall with class sizes hovering around 30. Beginning in Fall 2004, two lecture classes will be taught three days a week by Ph.D. professors in the 1,008 seat E.R. “Bo” Campbell Auditorium located in the Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes. A typical day of class will begin with 10 minutes of questions from the students followed by a lecture presentation projected on a 40x20 foot retractable screen. Once a week, small groups of students will attend a math lab. Classes of 30 or less will assemble in technology-equipped rooms in Lockett Hall for review and additional questions.

“Graduate assistants, Ph.D.s and Masters will be teaching these labs,” said Golson. “This is where students are given an array of choices as to who will be teaching their small group class.”

He said that if you feel more comfortable learning from someone closer to you in age, you have the option of choosing a graduate assistant. Also, if you prefer learning from someone older, then you can choose someone with more credentials.

“You can decide who you best connect with,” added Golson.

One reason why summer students are serving as “guinea pigs” for this program is to test the software. Mark Davidson, Ph.D. and Math 1431 professor says that it is imperative to identify and repair as many software problems as possible to decrease potential complications for the large fall classes. Davidson also serves on the Math Technology committee responsible for the changes being made to improve math instruction.
The members of the Math Technology committee worked toward their common goal of successfully facilitating larger classes by dividing into subcommittees and focusing on the details that will make this program successful.

“There was a committee for developing lectures and presentations, a committee for researching MapleTA, a committee for writing countless math problems and MapleTA practice assignments, quizzes and exams,” said Davidson. He added that he has been teaching math for 20 years, and found preparations for his summer Math 1431 class to be very difficult and time consuming. His roles on the committee and preparations for his class included writing problems for MapleTA and designing slide shows to correspond with lecture notes.

Davidson explained that MapleTA is an online testing website that hosts a corresponding set of practice questions and a quiz for each lecture. Students are given an unlimited amount of time to complete practice assignments and graded quizzes from any computer with Internet capabilities. The quizzes can be taken as many times as the students wish until they are satisfied with their scores. The program gives results as soon as the assignment is completed. A link to a detailed information sheet is available to show which problems were incorrectly answered and what made the answer incorrect. Students can only log into one session at a time. Instructors typically give students three days to complete a quiz.

Along with quizzes, summer students can find their class notes and lecture presentations on the LSU Math homepage and print them out for use in class. Davidson further helps his class by copying the course notes and leaving them at Kinko’s for the students to pick up at their discretion.

On the subject of class attendance, Davidson believes that there will be no drop in the number of students attending the large fall classes. Not everything will be posted online in the fall, which will make presence in class a necessity.
The LSU Board of Supervisors and the instructors are happy with the progress being made toward technology integration and increasing LSU’s national prominence. Davidson likes this system better because of the faster turnaround.

“You take your quiz and get instant results. You not only discover what you’ve done wrong and how to fix it, but you also receive a grade much faster than if I hand graded 35 sheets of loose-leaf paper. I believe that this system will greatly improve the learning and retention of material for this course.”

He understands that for many students, their interests lie in areas other than calculus or trigonometry. This lack of interest can cause students to devote adequate time to learning these math skills. By making the quizzes worth 30 percent of the total grade, the students are required to take them. Instructors can monitor the number of times a quiz is taken and the score a student receives each time.

Davidson has not received any complaints from students about the lecture presentations or the MapleTA software, however many students are apprehensive about the technology integration because it is a change. Students are not the only members of the LSU campus community concerned about the new teaching style.

“This is not only a transition for students, but for teachers as well,” stated SGA president Golson.
“Teachers are used to teaching classes of 35 just as students are used to learning in groups much smaller than 1000.”
Golson also believes that a major concern is if the professor feels comfortable and is trained to teach large classes.

“If teachers aren’t comfortable with the new learning style, they can’t effectively communicate the information to the students.”

double spacing?

2004-06-11T14:22:00.000-05:00

I can't figure out how to double space in my posts. If I cut and paste from Word it converts it back to single space and I can't figure out how to change it back to double space. I really don't want to get points taken off because I didn't double space. Please help me out.

Weather Story (How do you double space on this thing?)

2004-06-10T21:17:00.000-05:00

National Guard Avoids Heat Related Causualties

The National Guard uses wet bulb technology to save lives and evade heat related

injuries during the sultry summer months of extended session.

Also, urinalysis is performed daily to monitor the water intake of each soldier to avoid

possible dehydration.

Guard members attend a grueling two week long extended session each summer to prepare

and practice for potential disasters.

“The Wet Bulb Index is a proven method of risk assessment for our soldiers,” said

Lieutenant Colonel Mike Tarpley. “This instrument has saved many lives and is

extremely necessary in Louisiana because of the high levels of humidity our state

experiences.”

Lt. Col. Tarpley is stationed at Camp Beauregard near Pineville, Louisiana. He was a

member of the Army ROTC at Louisiana State University and has been serving in the

National Guard since 1979.

The Army National Guard is the agency most responsive to emergencies and disasters. It

is composed of civilians who serve their country, state, and community on a part-time

basis. They constantly monitor surges during hurricane season to be prepared to assist

with evacuations. They also do flood control work and continually monitor river

stages. The National Guard may be called upon by the governor to assist with local and

state emergencies. In addition the President can activate the Guard for participation

in federal missions.

Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) Index is calculated by using a formula combining the

wet bulb temperature, black globe temperature, and shaded dry bulb temperature. A wet

bulb thermometer measures the temperature of moisture in the air. A black globe

thermometer provides the Mean Radiant Temperature and a dry bulb thermometer

measures air temperature. Readings are taken several times throughout the day in the

location the soldiers are training. The level of WBGT determines how much physical

exertion is permitted without risk of heat illness. If the WBGT is 90° or above all

activity is suspended because the body is unable to perspire. WBGT is used on all

training sites, but is most valuable in southern states.

Urinalysis is performed twice daily to ensure that soldiers consume enough water to

dilute impurities. In arid locations, the highest risk for soldiers is dehydration. At

Fort Erwin, California daytime temperatures can reach 110°. Soldiers must continually

hydrate their bodies by drinking a certain amount of water each day. Lieutenant Colonel

Tarpley said that camel back pouches allow soldiers to have water with them at all

times.

During extended session, soldiers begin their day by performing Stand Two approximately

30 minutes before dawn. A Beginning of Morning Naval Twilight (BMNT) chart is used to

determine when daybreak will occur. Stand Two is an exercise that places all soldiers

at their security posts and provides 100% security to the base in the event of a sunrise

attack. The remainder of the day is spent building roads, minefields and patrolling.

“There is no way I could handle waking up 30 minutes before daylight,” said Evan

Bergeron, a political science major. “I admire Guard members for their amazing amount of

dedication. I can barely make it to work by 9:30!”

Leads

2004-06-09T09:44:00.000-05:00

1. Research shows that a successful crawfish crop is dependent on rainfall.

2. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry announced a Chalmette student
state winner of an Arbor Day poster contest.

3. Three Louisiana principals were awarded 2004 Principal of the Year today at a
ceremony in Baton Rouge.

4. Louisiana is continually putting forth effort to improve school and student
performance.

5. Louisiana 4th and 8th graders have significantly improved test scores in mathematics
and parallel national trends in reading.

6. Food vendors must pass an inspection to participate in Mardi Gras activities.

7. The Department of State Civil Service will offer more walk-in test sessions at the Baton Rouge Information Office.

8. Louisiana banks participating in BidLouisiana can bid for up to $25 million of certificates of deposit.

9. Agriculture experts at the Louisiana Cotton Forum explained precision agriculture and other technological advances useful to cotton farmers.

10. Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana fired its executive director Brian N. Minturn.