Amy: Winter is (finally) Coming

It’s been a weird, super warm fall, but I think we are all starting realize that winter is finally on it’s way to Boston. Winter in Boston is a tough journey, but if you’re prepared with the right stuff, you can make it a great season. I’m originally from northern Massachusetts, so coming into winter my freshman year I thought I had it all figured out. I was SO wrong. I never thought about the fact that at home, I was usually driving everywhere I needed to go all winter, so I never had to walk too far in a blizzard or in the freezing wind. Here are a few tips I’ve picked up on how to make winter more manageable:
1. Get an amazing pair of boots. You’ll want boots that you don’t mind wearing every day for about 4 months that can stand rain and snow. It’s also good to have boots with some traction because there are certain areas of campus (looking at you, BU Bridge) that get super slippery. I’m a fan of Bean Boots, but any trip to REI or another similar store will give you plenty of options for great winter footwear.
2. When choosing a jacket, choose carefully! Boston is windy, especially during snowstorms. Getting a jacket that doesn’t protect against the wind won’t do you much good during the winter season here.
3. LAYERS ARE EVERYTHING!! Get ready for it to be beyond freezing outside, and boiling hot inside most buildings. It’s annoying sometimes, but if you wear the right layers, you’ll be prepared for both. It’s better to pile on the layers to go outside than sit through freezing classes all winter.
4. Considerably one of the most important things: SmarTouch gloves (or whatever pair lets you tweet about how cold you are without having to remove your gloves to use your phone).
Stay safe and warm everyone! I’m heading abroad to Dublin for the Spring so good luck to everyone here and I’ll see you all again in the fall when Boston is gorgeous and not trying to turn us all into icicles.

Claire: Boston University COM Career Development

The COM Career Development provides a bunch of services and resources to COM students and alumni. Career counseling is available to help you explore and research communication careers and internships. Its a great place to discuss proposed career goals and receive professional input on the appropriate steps toward reaching those goals.

A variety of workshops and seminars are offered throughout the school year including information on resume and cover letter writing, job search strategies, networking using LinkedIn, job interviewing skills, portfolio presentation, negotiating salaries, and understanding benefits.

Visit them as early and often as you can. The Career Development Office is not just for graduating Seniors, they are there to help you! I met with them several times to go over resumes and cover letters. I even got this fancy headshot taken for my LinkedIn Page.

For more information concerning COM Career Development, call 617-353-3490 or email comjobs@bu.edu.

Caroline: Holiday Travel

Disclosure: This blog post was written while driving through Manhattan on a bus home. Home meaning Boston, because that city has my heart 🙂

I’m lucky enough that I don’t have to take a plane home for Thanksgiving— or so one might think. The past two Thanksgivings it has taken me 8+ hours to get from Boston to Wyckoff, NJ. The traffic on Tuesday afternoon before the holiday is crazy. First you get probably 20% of the Boston population leaving the city for home—wherever that may be. Then, if you’re on a bus that leaves anywhere from 1-5pm, you will hit NYC and Connecticut commuter traffic. Just when you think you’ll make it with in an hour of your scheduled arrival time, your hit bumper to bumper traffic from Norwalk, CT all the way to Manhattan. You finally cross the bridge to Manhattan and you think you’re home free, then you sit in grid lock for another hour as you travel 100 blocks to the 42nd St Port Authority. Once you’ve arrived there, you have to run to the top floor where the NJ Transit or Coach USA buses are to actually get to New Jersey, because even though you made it to the city, you’re still about an hour away from hugging your cats. Last year my bus got in so late, my mom had to drive into the city to pick me up because the NJ Transit buses had stopped running on a regular schedule. This year, I missed the last Coach USA bus to my town by one minute— the one minute I spent waiting in line for the ticket. I was running around Port Authority trying to figure out how I was going to get home, then finally got on a bus that I knew was going to a town near mine, but I wasn’t even sure exactly where I was going to be dropped off. I ended up getting home around 10:45pm, after leaving my apartment in Boston at 2pm.

Here’s the thing that really grinds my gears: if my roommate who lives in South Florida left our apartment at the same time as me, 2pm on Tuesday, I promise he would’ve gotten home before I did. Home in FLORIDA before I arrived home in NEW JERSEY. But, the bus is cheap, so I take it. Next Thanksgiving I am definitely splurging to take the train, because the traffic is just so mind numbing. I don’t have a problem any other time of the year taking the bus, its just Thanksgiving is so bad. My parents keep hounding me to find someone from North Jersey who has a car up in Boston— which is definitely not as easy as my sister finding someone with a car in Ithaca, NY. People don’t drive in the city! But I’m going to try for next time to find someone to give me a ride, because the hour detour to NYC makes the journey much more difficult.

Sorry to everyone who has to fly far and has to spend a lot of money on plane tickets. I salute you for only being able to go home a few times per year and the amount of time and money you spend traveling. If only it was socially acceptable to fly from Boston to Newark and it was as inexpensive as a bus/train ticket— I’d make it door-to-door in two hours. But until that’s a thing, or maybe even teleportation (that’d be dope) I’ll just be spending my time on the bus. Here’s hoping winter break traffic won’t be bad, because I already booked my bus tickets.

Esra: Books to Read Over Break

I know what you’re thinking: Esra, why would we want to do readings over break?!

Reading may be the last thing on your mind considering the never-ending scholarly articles, textbook chapters, etc. that you have assigned for your classes, BUT that shouldn’t scare you away from the amazing books out there. I’m personally a huge book nerd and even still I barely read anything non-school related during the semester because honestly there isn’t enough time. While you’re relaxing at home over Thanksgiving, and then winter break, enjoying doing absolutely nothing, consider checking out these books.

If you liked The Hunger Games…

Try: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi.

I’m a huge fan of futuristic/dystopian/utopian novels. This is the first book in the trilogy and I think it’s one of the most unique in its genre (you know how some books seem super similar to others in terms of plot, characters, etc?). It follows a girl named Juliette who can’t touch anyone — the last time she accidentally did, the Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why her touch is fatal, but she has now intrigued the higher-ups as a potential weapon.

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10429045-shatter-me?ac=1&from_search=1 

If you like romance novels…

Try: Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover.

This isn’t your average romance novel, which is why I think I liked it so much. One of the main characters is a deaf musician and it talks a lot about how he taught himself to play guitar. It’s a beautiful story that makes you feel for all the characters.

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17788403-maybe-someday?from_search=true&search_version=service 

If you need some inspiration for life…

Try: Rules for a Knight by Ethan Hawke.

My mom recommended this book to me, and it’s applicable to absolutely everyone. It takes life lessons, if you will, and breaks them down to you in a really understandable way through mini stories. It’s one of those books that you can read multiple times and take away something new each time.

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25241473-rules-for-a-knight?ac=1&from_search=1 

Happy reading!

Kaley: Danny’s Guide to Big Decisions

We’re rounding the corner. Away from late fluorescent nights in front of the computer screen. Away from walks down Comm Ave with eyes half open, feet dragging. Away from hurricaning thoughts about career paths and internships and away from nightmares about unemployment.

We’re rounding the corner, into Thanksgiving break. A break that, in my opinion, is long overdue. But regardless, Thanksgiving break is a break. A time to reflect.

In a moment of desperate indecision last week, I dialed Danny. Danny worked on the same BUTV10 show as me, and graduated last year. He picked up the phone to a slew of concerns about different options and “what-ifs” and potential consequences I’d thought up. I could barely breathe between all of the varied ideas about how to achieve.

But to achieve what? He challenged me. To achieve a career? To achieve success? No decision between choice A and choice B would make or break my career, he said, with the wisdom of a person who’d held a Bachelor of Science for six months. The wisdom of a person whose student-loan grace period had just expired.

In the end, Danny said, I needed to make the decision that made my heart happy. Should I do the LA abroad program or stay in Boston? I asked. Go with the one that “felt right,” he answered. I was not satisfied with those words in the moment they crackled through the receiver. Even later that night, his words still had me feeling lost.

Days later, though, the words have begun resonating. I’m so focused on how to be successful that I forget to consider how to be happy. Lucky for us, as COM students, what makes us happy is often synonymous with what makes us successful. But instead of beating my over-worked brain into the ground and penning pro and con lists until my hands cramp up, maybe I should start making the big decisions of junior year with a little more input from my heart.

Sorry if that’s a little cheesey. I’m a Film/TV major, after all. Rounding the corner into my final semesters at COM.

 

Claudia: My heart beats for the beat of Boston University

Now I know I’m not the only person whose heart starts beating ridiculously fast when they walk up to the third floor, but it’s not because of the three flights of stairs. It’s beating in sync with the beat of Boston University, aka WTBU. WTBU is my home away from home (away from home). While I spend the majority of my time in COM, I spend even MORE time tucked away in WTBU.

For those of you who don’t know about WTBU, it is the hidden gem of COM. WTBU is our campus radio station (and CMJ Station of the Year winner - DYNASTY!!) We broadcast 7 days a week from 6 AM - 2 AM. And just a side note: I applaud you 6 AM shows, I know how tough that is (never forget Broadwaves Fridays 6-8AM Spring 2015). WTBU is home to every show imaginable. We’ve got talk shows, sports shows, music shows, a show that reads Tarot cards. You name it, we have it. And if we don’t, you can pitch it.

And while yes, we can be the stereotypical college radio station (you definitely know what I’m talking about), we are so much more (prepare yourself for the cheese).

I love the welcoming click of the door (god bless swipe access — thank you Julia!) and walking into the studio to warm welcomes from DJs or e-boarders. I love the ‘zine, the shows, street team, the rat posters (but not the rats), the gifs, and the PIZZA! (Yes, we get pizza AND gifs at GSMs). I love playing music at the GSU on Fridays (shout out to the Happy Friday crew - Mer, Jonathan, Angeli and Alex) and getting to gush about WTBU on my tours.

WTBU is a community. We’re interns turned DJs friends — maybe even turned family? (I like cheese… Sorry ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ) The Howard Stern Lounge is our family room and you can almost always find an e-boarder relaxing or watching TV (hey Christiana) during the week. Intern Director Ben Coller is always ready to talk about absolutely anything. And I mean anything (Nickelback, Shrek, Titanic the Musical, etc.) DJ or Ingrid post up in the office, while Xander runs around begging people not to break anything.

So thank you, WTBU, for an amazing three semesters so far. I can’t wait for the next five.  And if you haven’t joined WTBU yet, GET ON IT and intern next semester!

Also ~shameless plug~ but listen to my radio show Pop Cultured on Thursdays from 2-4pm!

Kate: How to spend this summer in Boston

If you love BU as much as I do, I bet you're wondering how you can stay on campus or in Boston all year round. I have spent my past 2 summers in Boston working for BU's Community Service Center through the BU Orientation summer leadership opportunities. The 2016 summer leadership opportunities include BU orientation student and program advisors, FYSOP coordinators, and CSC program managers and interns. Applications can be found here and are due January 19, 2016.

There are so many pros to working for the CSC or orientation- besides being able to live in Boston for the summer. The paid position offers compensated housing! You develop close knit bonds with other students on campus and become familiar with high level administration at the university. There is also a lot of opportunity for personal growth and professional development- you're bound to find and become a mentor through a summer leadership experience.

During the summer of 2014, I worked in the CSC as a FYSOP coordinator for the children focus area. It was such a great experience! I loved spending my summer learning more about social justice issues in the Boston area and enjoyed preparing for FYSOP 25. I gained a lot of professional skills from the job, such as public speaking, report writing, working with a team, and setting and reaching goals. I loved working for the CSC so much that I spend summer 2015 working there as an undergraduate intern for the office. As a member of the senior staff, I learned so much about higher education and non-profit management. I loved getting to create opportunities for education, service and reflection and assist the team creating FYSOP 26.

So, if you're looking for a way to stay in Boston, look no further! You may apply only for the free housing or cause it's a way to stay away from your small hometown. But I promise if you work for the CSC or orientation, you will have the best summer (or if you're lucky enough, you'll have 2!) of your life, working with amazing students and professionals, and growing as an individual.

Hannah: An Oscar Speech of Thanks to BU

It’s with a heavy heart I’m writing my last blog post as a Com Ambassador, but I guess I should count myself lucky since that just means my heart is really, really full. Senior year came all too quickly. When people tell you college went by too fast – they’re not kidding. I guess the jokes on me this time! Four years ago, I can honestly say I had no idea what Boston University and the College of Communication would do for me.

Here’s one last monologue about some pretty gosh darn amazing people, places and experiences that made BU home and are now making it oh so hard to say goodbye to this second home of mine. And I look forward to see how these remarkable things will change somebody else’s life when they fill my shoes. Consider this my Oscar speech (in case I’m a few years out from actually making it onto that stage).

1.        COM Undergraduate Affairs – Every tour that comes through COM is told what an asset these guys are (trust me I know since I’m one of the people giving them) and it’s no lie. We are lucky to have one of the most phenomenal staff of advisors. From minor ‘stupid’ questions to figuring out how to add a second major mid junior year – not one of these guys has ever left one of my questions unanswered. Talk about some miracle workers!

2.       My Internships – The work experience and insight I gained from the hands-on intern environments at both Red Bull Boston and Allied Integrated Marketing gave me the enthusiasm and confidence it takes to enter the job force. Both companies worked to make me an appreciated and integral part of their office life and I know that’s not the case at every place so I must have hit the jackpot. On top of that I met a whole host of characters who encouraged me and pushed me to succeed at Boston University and beyond.

3.       The Professors – We all hear about our COM professor’s impressive backgrounds, but I don’t think we hear about their compassion and genuine interest in their students enough. Coming to a big University like BU can be intimidating, especially when you hear that COM101 is a class of 300+ people. I never thought I would make such meaningful connections with my professors (even in classes that size). From offers to proofread scripts, go over interview prep-work, or even just to touch base and make sure I’m feeling okay after a sick day – not all professors go out of their way to make sure they connect with their students, but BU’s definitely do. The college dean knows me by first name. I talk to my department chairs on a daily basis, and all of them sincerely care about my wellbeing and my future. That just doesn’t happen at every school.

4.       The Amenities – Huge shout out to the computer labs I’ve spent all-nighters in, the gear from FPS that made me look legit on film shoots and the studios for acting as a perfect backdrop to my college experience. Along with that – I owe a big shout out to Jamie Companeschi and Jose! Talk about some serious lifesavers in terms of technical difficulties. They’ve saved more than a few of my projects for me.

5.       The Extracuriculars – I’d be wrong if I didn’t mention things like WTBU, my sorority, the COM Ambassador Program, the National Student Advertising Competition, AdLab, book club, HerCampus and all the other out of this world programs COM offers it’s students outside of the classroom. There were always plenty of options and ways for me to make friends and meet people with similar interests.

On that note – the Oscar music is definitely playing to let me know that I’ve rambled on way to long, but I leave you with these few words. I hope that when it’s all of your turns to walk across that graduation stage that BU and the College of Communication have become just as much of a home to all of as it has become to me.

Donald: Diving Into The Local Music Scene

Fall is one of the best times of the year for music fans in Boston because tons of bands are visiting the Northeast while on tour, following festivals like the CMJ Music Marathon in New York City, which I had the pleasure to attend on behalf of WTBU. While you should definitely go out and watch bands that you may only get to see once a year, it’s important to also remember the countless bands who call Boston their home and play here year-round. Boston Hassle Fest, a weekend-long showcase of the best (and weirdest) Boston has to offered just ended, but don’t worry - I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite locals who you should definitely get out and see (probably playing some venue in Allston sometime soon).

Anjimile

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CZ7_UlNQd8

Puppy Problems

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sqm2J3OlQo

Salty Greyhound

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcxXGWNPG9U

Dylan Ewen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1p9T-IN3H0

Vundabar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vpt-ft2up08

Joe: Stop Whatever You’re Doing and Listen To This

“I feel like every time I see you, you’re stressed out about something” is a real thing someone said to me today. Like, with actual words from their mouth.

But today will be different because the best time of the year is here. The ultimate party jams all mashed together it one beautiful and cohesive YouTube video. Except this year, there are two, which means double the fun.

I love Pop Danthology and all of his mash-ups, but this year has been S T E L L A R for music. I think that’s something we all can agree on. And if not, let me just remind you of the power of our Lord and savior Taylor Swift, the comeback kid himself, Justin Bieber, and the real Queen of England, Adele.

So as a tribute to the coming weekend and the last remaining weeks of the semester, turn it up with these awesome song/video mash-ups. You won’t be disappointed. And everyone will be satisfied.

Note: These are awful to study to. Do not recommend. You will just sing along the whole time and get nothing done. Trust me. But remember, good grades do not guarantee you a job. Leave room for some downtime. It’s soooooo important, I can’t stress that enough.

Until next time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep152idlUUA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b9_cBXGEdU