University Life

So you've  guessed it! I am officially settled into my new place in Sudbury. I am taking Communications for two years and so far I'm loving it. I'm keeping busy with homework and meeting new people so I haven't had much time to post to this blog (apologies!). Hopefully I will have more time to keep you updated, but I am also working on making a travel/ food/ makeup blog. I'm planning for it to be up in the next few months!

Anyway, just wanted to post an update, it seems almost as if I have fallen off the face of the earth for the last few months but I do assure you, I'm back and I will be updating more than ever! So stay tuned!

xo T

Summer Fun

Well, it's definitely been a while since I've posted a blog post!

What new with me? Not much to be honest, it feels so strange to me that I'm not in school, even though it's clearly the summer. I'm trying to keep myself busy, and sometimes even the two jobs I'm working isn't enough! I'm working at a cute little coffee shop in my town (it's more slow paced, which is nice) and I also work at a golf course in my town at the restaurant there. I love both jobs, and it gives me a great mix of people, atmosphere and more. At the course, it's a bit more fast paced, but I love that about it. The busier, the better (and more tips! $$ ... that will soon be gone to pay tuition and residence for University in the Fall).
Other than work, I have kept pretty busy spending time with my family. It's nice to be home this summer, because last I was in Barrie working for Central Ontario Broadcasting. I loved that job but being away from my family was quite hard. It's nice to be working at home, helping out around the house and spending time with the ones who matter most. Today, I helped my mother plant some flowers in the garden (I love flowers) and helped with some Spring cleaning.

I think this summer will be full of fun, and I`m really enjoying it while I can. When Fall rolls around the corner, school will be the number one priority, and frankly, I am freaked out with the fact that I`m actually going to University (PINCH ME). Again, I am way too excited to move up to Sudbury for two years, and get my B.A.

Anyway, this summer I will be posting several blog posts a month, when I can to update everyone on what silly old me is up to. I also may have a few little surprises to share as the summer comes to an end (exciting news) and even a few little surprises. Stay tuned, and wish me luck! I`ll give a bit of a hint, it involves a possible job opportunity in my field. I am also super excited about getting to Toronto to meet with a few industry professionals that are on my list to chat with. And I really hope that I have time this summer to stop in and see how everyone is doing at The Morning Show (where I interned in the Winter).

Until then, have a wonderful beginning to the Summer (AHH, and June 18th is my Birthday, the big 22.. scary, yet exciting!)

xo

Tara

Summer Plans and Opportunities

So summer is fast approaching (for me at least!)

This means that in two weeks I will be back home. My plans so far are great, I have a couple job interviews so that's exciting. I can't wait to move forward. Fanshawe has been great, but I just can't wait to move on to the next chapter. I have a lot of plans for the coming weeks like meeting with a couple awesome industry professionals (I'll let you know who they are soon) and volunteering for Rogers TV. In the next few weeks I have also been asked by a past writing teacher to come in to her high school class and speak to them about Broadcast Journalism. Super exciting! Especially when I feel that I can give the students a sneak peak into what Broadcast Journalism is like. Really looking forward to showing them some of my best work too.
I have a lot of work to get done though before I think too hard about the summer. It's crunch time, and I'm really wanting to keep my GPA up for the end of the semester.

Also, I will be adding tons of new audio and writing work to my blog in the coming weeks as school wraps up.

xo Tara

Ending it with a Bang!

So I finally accepted my offer from Laurentian University in Sudbury. I will be attending for two years starting this fall, for a B.A. in Communication Studies. This excites me so much, because it makes me one step closer to getting the job I love. Sudbury is about 6 hours away from where I live, which is super scary for me, but also exciting. I'm hoping that being far away from home helps me with my independence and also helps me to concentrate and excel in my studies. I will miss everyone, but it's time for me to concentrate on myself. I will still be blogging and adding to my portfolio while I'm there (also hoping they have a newspaper or a radio station on campus!) so that I can participate in that sort of way. This summer holds lots of opportunity as well, I am going to be volunteering for Rogers TV Kitchener, and am actively searching for a paid position for the summer (University is not cheap!!). Wish me luck, and keep following my journey, I can assure you that it will be worth it.

I am just three short weeks away from graduating at Fanshawe as well, which is super exciting. I am leaving with a Diploma in Broadcast Journalism, and I really have had a great time. I have managed to make several connections and even more opportunities have come my way. For the next few weeks I will be reporting on the entertainment beat here in London. I have a strong passion for it, so I really want to end this year with a bang. Also, applying to tons of awards for RTDNA, Fanshawe and Laurentian. Busy busy few weeks ahead of me, but hey, I'm embracing it.

I have never been more determined.

xo Tara

My Week at 570 News

I have started my week at 570 News in Kitchener. 570 is a green station and is run by Rogers Communications. They broadcast news, traffic, weather, sports and talk all day long! I am half way through my week here, I decided to spend my reading week here because I really want the experience. I am hoping for a summer job! (Fingers crossed). I am doing Voicers, Actualities and more for the station right now, also editing news stories from The Canadian Press for use on air. I'm enjoying my time here, it's a very small newsroom and a small group of people working here but it makes it a lot more comfortable and easier to meet everyone.

I am here until Friday, then back to London on Monday for 106.9 The X. I have been and will be posting more news reports and stories with 570 News on my Broadcast Work page. Feel free to check it out!

xo Tara

The Home Stretch to Graduation!

Lately I have been feeling very determined and excited to see what University holds for me when I graduate in April. I am looking for a summer job, which will hopefully be working in radio or TV near where I live in Kitchener/ Waterloo. I have had so much time at Fanshawe to not only build but perfect my demo to show to employers. The only thing I feel I need now to make sure I have every qualification to be my dream job is to complete my University Degree in Communication Studies. This will come soon enough, with hard work and determination.

Right now I'm working on a video documentary, which has been fun but challenging at the same time. Over the next few weeks we will be learning about TV shooting and continuing with documentaries, hosting and much more in my documentary rotation. Next up is reporting, which will be my last rotation.. and then GRADUATION!!

I am working on adding more writing to my portfolio under the "writing" tab up top ^^ and also linked to all my other social media platforms in the "contact" tab. Feel free to keep up with my newest work and also check out how far I have come since my very first newscasts and audio pieces.

xo Tara

Back to School/ University Applications!

So I am now officially settled back in London, Ontario and am back to work in the newsroom for XFM News and 106.9 The X. I am also finished applying to Universities, which is a relief because it's a very long process to choose the program you will be taking for up to four years. But I narrowed my choices down to York in Toronto, Laurentian in Sudbury and Laurier in Waterloo. All, AMAZING schools, so I would be happy attending either one. They are all Communications Degree programs! Hopefully this one day will come in useful when I work in the field as a producer, announcer, host, reporter or director.

Also, I have added TONS of new audio work to my "Broadcast Work" page, so feel free to check those out as well. I will have some new ones up quite frequently as I'm keeping myself super busy!

Thanks for all the support from anyone who even glances at my blog, and even those who express to me how proud they are. I wouldn't be anywhere in my life without support from friends, family and co-workers.

Wish me luck and I will keep everyone updated on my University Applications!

xo Tara