Journey To The Finish Line: What It Took To Get Here

I started my journey in the Entertainment Business Masters Program in a class called Media Literacy and Research Methodologies. This was an online class where I learned all about the different components of research and how to write a literature review based upon the various research methods that were learned. I only wished that this class had been on campus because I like to have face-to-face interactions with my professor and classmates. I did not know what to expect and I have to admit I was kind of nervous starting this program. I was 14 hours away from home and I did not know anyone here. That would all change when I moved on to my month two class.

Steve Adkins, my professor, was prepared to teach us all about Executive Leadership. I was happy to start this class because this would become the first time that I would meet not only my classmates but also some friends that I will have for the rest of my life. We studied the 48 Laws of Power in this class and it really opened my eyes to a different way of thinking. My favorite law was: Work on the hearts and minds of others. I want to be able to help people and mold them into the person that they were meant to be. I enjoyed learning about leadership and how to be an effective leader. I also enjoyed learning the different methods of leadership by leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., for whom I did a leadership presentation on. I enjoyed this class but was also overwhelmed because I had never been in such a diverse setting. I quickly learned though that this was probably the best group of people that I have ever been in the company of.

The nicest person taught my next class I have met in my entire life and his name was Nicholas “Nick” Carver. He made learning about Project and Team Management so enjoyable and fun. This is where my classmates and I really bonded and got to know each other. Everyday we used to do team building activities and it really brought us together. The activities that my classmates and I came up with were not only hilarious but so much fun. It really set the stage for how we would be together throughout the program. Nick taught us how to do mind-mapping using www.mindmeister.com as a part of our final project for the class. I don’t think I’ve ever had as much fun in a class as I had in this one. I’ll always remember this class because of Nick and the pivotal moment in played in my classmates and I class.

Business Storytelling and Brand Development was how I learned how to brand my company. Branding is everything when it comes to the success of any company. Ken DeGilio taught me how to create my own brand identity. I loved doing the assignments in class like the Personal and Creative Brand Strategy. This is where I really became focused on the type of company I wanted to start. I enjoyed creating the different brand strategies and coming up with creative ideas to make my brand stand out. It was a fun class and a great learning experience.

Kate Hartig taught my favorite class in the whole program, Product and Artist Management. This was my favorite class because I was learning about what I wanted to do with my career from someone who had already done it. I only wished that these two topics were two separate classes. We learned about artist contracts and the terms that come along with that. We learned about products and how to manage them as well. I really enjoyed this class and will keep what I learned from it hopefully for the rest of my life.

I learned so much in my Advanced Entertainment Law class taught by Cassi Willard. I loved listening to her stories that she tied in with all the lessons. This class is where I learned all about the world of copyrights, trademarks, patents, infringement, and so on and so forth. It was a lot of information to take in but it was most definitely important. In the entertainment business it is so easy for a person to get sued over the smallest oversight so it’s best that you know the law and how to protect yourself. The knowledge I gained in this class will stick with me forever while I maneuver my way through this business we like to call entertainment.

Marketing is key when you’re trying to get your business’ name out to the buying public. Now, digital marketing is more important than ever because we live in such a technology savvy world. I learned all of this and so much more in Digital Marketing class. Kristen Lamm definitely knew her stuff and I was always engaged and intrigued by what I was learning in this. I learned all about the seven digital marketing channels and how to get more hits to my blog by using search engine optimization tips. There was so much information in this class that sometimes I felt a little overwhelmed but I definitely learned a lot and will take it with me throughout my career.

Mike Koch was probably the coolest professor I had throughout this program. He was the professor for Business Plan and Development. This class is where I took everything I learned throughout the program and put together my final business plan. This class prepared me for my final class. Mike made this class entertaining by telling us funny stories and keeping the class interesting. It was a lot of work and research that went into putting my business plan together. I was proud though of the final result. Putting all the pieces together like the operations, financials, and the competition really took a lot of work. This class turned me into a business plan writer.

The first day of my final class was kind of surreal. It came so fast. Final Project: Business Plan was where everything would finally come together. This is the class where I would write my business plan out and also gives my final presentation on my business plan. I would finish doing my financial spreadsheet and when I was finish putting all together I was so proud because I had done it. I had really done it. I was so proud of myself and excited that graduation was upon us. Our professor Bill was the best and gave the most awesome stories and kept us entertained. He also gave the best advice and encouragement for us as we go on and start our careers.

I have so many great memories while I’ve been here at Full Sail. I met some amazing people and had an amazing time. As I get prepared to receive my degree in 5 days I just look back and realize how blessed I really am. I will have a Masters Degree! I remember a time when I thought I wouldn’t even go to college but look at me now. I’ll always remember the great times and the great people I met while on this journey. This is the beginning of a whole new world for me and the best is yet to come!!!