I recently graduated from CSU Long Beach with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism.

I chose Journalism towards the end of my freshman year-- around the same time I joined Kbeach Radio (another article on that later).

I knew I liked entertainment from day one, only I did not know which direction to go into. Throughout my first year I searched for the perfect major, the one that would feel “just right.” I tried shoe design: that was not a good idea, communication: but I felt it too broad for me, English I like to read so I thought it was going to work out, hospitality I like but it was not my kind of business, event planning seemed fun, it is fun but not for my major.

After dropping certain classes, joining and quitting clubs the same day and researching various careers, I ended up in Journalism professor Danny Paskin’s office.

I knew I liked entertainment since I was small-- I only needed to know which career path was the right one for me. I discovered that television reporting was not necessarily for me, but I still hung onto the hope that I could find a major that would be able to lead me to a career in entertainment.

Paskin described the Journalism department to me in detail, what classes were offered, what skills were learned and what careers I was able to pursue with the major. He described it as a “hands on” major, and as a visual learner I was intrigued. This sounded great! And it sure was.

I immersed myself into the classes and campus media. I began writing articles for DIG Magazine and I still remember the excitement I felt when I received my first deadline. I was contributing to the entertainment department with a movie review. How exciting was that!

Then I became involved with radio at CSULB’s student run radio station Kbeach. I have hosted and produced my very own entertainment talk show for almost 3 years now!

The classes varied from hard news reporting to podcasting, video editing, writing (A LOT of writing actually), presentations, audio slideshows, picture slideshows, social media posts, design and much more!

Journalism gave me the ability to open my mind, communicate with others well and connect with other individuals through my work.

I like to write, not only because I like to express myself but also because I enjoy sharing my experiences and opinions with others. Which is also why I like to read, I am able to learn from others and understand different perspectives. I love that!

I enjoy entertainment journalism in particular because, as cheesy as it may sound, it is an escape from reality. It is something to enjoy after a long day of work or after a test. Entertainment also connects us. I may not have studied the same subject as you have or share the same background. However, we may share interest in “Scandal,” “Furious” movie franchise or “Orange is the New Black.” Entertainment news tends to be more optimistic and well… entertaining.

Overall, Journalism is a hands on field. It pushes you to try everything and anything-- it pushes you to leave your comfort zone and to interact with your community, your peers and your professors. This all causes you to become a very well rounded individual.

I will be forever thankful to my professors and I won’t forget the lessons they taught me.

Peace, love and white space.

-Fergie