Jordan Schuman
 Multimedia Journalist
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Resume & Reel
  • Media
  • Connect with Me
  • Blog
  • Need to Know

What to Expect When You're Reflecting

6/1/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
They say an experience only has meaning when you take the time to purposefully lay out your expectations for it beforehand and reflect on your journey afterward. That's why when you go to a leadership retreat, you speak in metaphor about how the exercises relate to your work and your day probably isn't over until you've gotten in a circle and talked about it some more. I did it in this blog post when I left NBC News in May, and here, I'm going to do it before I begin 10 weeks with CBS News.

I'm really excited to start with CBS. I'm really truly excited. Actually, I cannot wait to get started. I want to stand in the halls where Walter Cronkite walked, I want to sit in the studio where Norah O'Donnell works. I want to be right there. I've always been that way. The wanting to be right there type.

Because this past semester was so insane with remaining a full-time student at the University of Miami, working 3 full days at NBC, and being a Resident Assistant in a freshman dorm on campus, I didn't really let myself get excited about CBS News until I got home from school. I almost couldn't think about it. On my to-do list that brought me from Point A to the end of school, it was too far down to think about. Clearly, it was one of the most important things on the list but I had to clear a lot of little stuff before I let my eyes read that far down on the paper.

That said, when I got home from this exhausting but exhilarating year at school, I made it my mission to unapologetically lay in my bed for as much time as possible, and when I was done doing that, I decided to change things up on the couch. I left once for a massage and a manicure and pedicure. It was everything to me and more.

But now as I type this, I'm in a different bed in a summer sublet in New York City because I have to report to the CBS News Broadcast Center tomorrow for Orientation.

I'm really looking forward to working at CBS and only working. I reached a special type of burn out while I was at NBC because I was filling so many roles while I was at school. For a moment, I couldn't understand how people worked full time. It was at that point my parents reminded me that most people who work don't do it while taking a full course load and managing 38 freshmen residents. I'm excited to get a taste of the real world of working, one I crave so often and so voraciously while I'm still in school.  Back to reflecting, you might recall I really fell in love with working when I watched my boss leave NBC  and I learned how the marriage of a career and a life is a treasured thing. I want that to start for me. I think it did at NBC.

But I have a feeling I can only compare to the way I felt when I sat on the school bus that took us to summer camp and looked out the window to my right to see my mom still staying home. Am I going to like camp? I guess letting go of her hand and getting on the bus was the hardest part so it should all be ok from here, right? What if something goes wrong and they lose my lunchbox? 

But I know I'm going to like CBS. And I bring my own lunch so that's that. As I wrote on my last day at NBC, I look at this Summer with CBS differently than ever before. You go through your educational life always knowing an internship is something you need to have. You need it, you need it, you need it. But being at NBC put a face to the necessity. I got to put it on my resume, sure, but it taught me pretty much what I know now about working professionally, how enriching work is and how personal it becomes when you are doing something you truly love.

Being able to put it on my resume was really the smallest gift I got from my time there.

So going into CBS, I see the people as ones I'll hopefully grow really fond of and attached to. I see the projects as something I'll take a lot of pride in. And I know the ever-so-coveted internship is something much deeper than a job title and dates you can put down on paper.

I'm also excited to see how things work at CBS. Each network, ABC, NBC and CBS, does it it's own way. They may be doing substantially the same thing, but they each do it differently, with different mission statements and different programming.

As always, you can read about everything I learn and do at CBS here on my blog.

And you'll always hear it here first.
Jordan
0 Comments

My Last Day: May 2

5/2/2014

0 Comments

 
I suppose the story of my last day at the NBC News Bureau here in Miami starts with last week. Last week, classes ended and I officially started to shift gears. For me, classes really were the driving force behind my routine, and once they ended, I mentally started to relax. I developed a slight sore throat, and I could feel my body begging me to slow down since it thought classes ending was the cue. My body was wrong. I was not slowing down because my internship ended a week later than classes did. But I began to wish my internship ended when classes did so I could be done with everything at once.

It is clear to me now that I was like a small child acting out in a tantrum, only saying I wished I ended my internship at the same time I ended classes because I was in some sort of denial about my amazing semester with NBC coming to a close. As if I could convince myself I wouldn't be so sad and miss it so much when it did.

I got over that quickly, and some point in this week realized it really was going to end, but it was no reason to feel sad. It was actually a reason to feel really happy.

NBC is a special, special place. Everyone from the editors and photographers to the seasoned pros like Kerry Sanders were so kind and willing to impart knowledge. From my very first day, I felt welcome, valued, appreciated, noticed, and most importantly, I felt like an equal. There are endless intern advice pages out there. They say never say no. Always be the intern who says yes to getting Starbucks, refilling the printer paper, calling the snack supplier. While I am never the intern to say no to any of these tasks, I'm proud to say these requests were few and far between at NBC. The tasks I was asked to do were more often than not things I could do to directly contribute to a story airing on The Today Show or NBC Nightly News. I was sent out to get MOS, I called sources directly, I chose bites for scripts.

Thinking back on all of the things I did, I can't believe how close I really was to all of the action, because NBC put me right there in it. I got more out of this internship than I think I ever could've dreamed of. NBC set the bar high.

Perhaps due to seeing the relationship my parents have with NBC (they both work for CNBC), I grew up with a strong loyalty and affinity toward the network. Kind of like a family whose kids all attend the same University… NBC was the school, and an internship was the acceptance letter on the kitchen table. It's kind of like having a crush. You have an idea of how it would be if the two of you got together, and of course in you're mind it goes really well and you look cute together in photos. But truthfully, it doesn't always go so smoothly in real life. Sometimes, you and your crush just have nothing to talk about and all of a sudden you aren't laughing at their jokes. But to my relief and not-surprise, this internship really was every bit as good for me as I hope it was for NBC. It felt like it clicked. And it's an amazing feeling of validation when your first experience in the field and at the network you have long dreamed of goes exactly how you pictured it, but better.

I'll be spending this Summer interning with CBS This Morning: Saturday, and having been through one entire internship, I am viewing this adventure in a whole different light. Now knowing how attached I grew to the amazing people I worked with at the Bureau, I am anxious and excited to meet my coworkers at CBS. Now knowing how much I learned about myself from this internship, I'm eager to see what more I can uncover in the next step. Now having seen with my own eyes the wonderful world of television news, my tummy is just so filled with fire to see how it works at CBS News.

I set out a really ambitious schedule for myself this Spring semester. I remained a full-time student at UM, I held this internship for 24 hours a week, I remained a Resident Assistant, and I was an anchor/reporter at UMTV's NewsVision. While I am happy and sad all at once about this internship experience and its ending, I look at my calendar from this semester and feel some other things. I feel relieved, truthfully. I feel surprised that I ever even managed to do all of these things, but the more overwhelming feeling is that of pride. I have waited years to be at this exact point in my life. I'm here, and today having finished this internship, I did it.

I am so grateful to the people who opened their doors and desks to me at the Miami Bureau. It is because of them coming into work was a pleasure, an opportunity, and always enjoyable.

On one of my first days at work, Mark Potter introduced himself to me and said, "I'm Mark Potter, I'm a reporter here." Of course I knew that, but it would come to pass that his humility, humor and guidance would play a huge role in my time at NBC. Mark would frequently invite me to his office to ask questions of me, allow me to ask questions of him, and always reiterate his desire to work with me on a story. I'm lucky Mark had me help on many stories -- you might remember the first time I logged sound bites that ended up in his piece. Mark and I said "see you later" to each other last week, since this week he was out working on a story, but I loved that he called today and told me to come back and visit so he can take me out to lunch. It is his faith in me and my generation that gives me such hope for a future in this career. When Mark Potter tells you you're going to make it, something about it just sticks.

A Senior Producer at the Today show and I said a "see you later" today that ended with "if we had a position, I'd totally hire you." For me, this internship was never about a job as much as it was about an experience, but it does not hurt to hear.

And I'd be so remiss to not mention Erika. Erika is a power producer if I've ever seen one. Her intelligence, determination and professionalism was an amazing thing for me to see this early on in my career. Erika always, always asked questions about my life and my plans. She placed value on my opinions and my thoughts, and she told me I'd shine at CBS, and to keep in touch when I did.

My supervisor Victoria treated me to Starbucks today, and NBC was nice enough to treat us all to lunch. I found some party hats in the office and insisted we all wear them. It helped to remember this was not a goodbye. Instead, it was a celebration of just being thankful to cross paths with these people in this company. I will miss this family I have grown into more than words can say. I cannot imagine my weeks going forward without the 24 hours I spent with them.

 I wrote thank you notes to my coworkers at NBC, and I was glad to find they did the same. I'm going to frame the card, and it will travel with me in every office I sit in.

According to plan, that would be a small local market in the next year, a bigger market after that, two more medium to large sized markets, and someday (god willing) an office next to Studio 1A in Rockefeller Plaza.

I am so, so grateful for the things I learned, the time I spent and the people I met at the NBC Miami News Bureau this semester. Words don't seem to do it justice. It was a true starting point for a girl with a big dream.

I know we've all got to start somewhere.

I am so, so blessed I started here.

You heard it here first,
Jordan
0 Comments

Crossing the Finish Line -April 21

4/21/2014

0 Comments

 
Picturewww.Twitter.com/WesleyLowery
I'm not a runner. I never ever have liked to run. When I was younger, I had a doctor's note excusing me from running the mile in school. A mile! And there are people who run marathons - 26.2 miles. And they say it's not the first 26 miles that really get you, granted those are really difficult. They say it's the last .2.

Just crossing the finish line.

Though I can't understand the phenomenon first hand, I guess I can imagine it. You train and prepare for months. You adjust your diet and your lifestyle. You get there early. You run the first 26 miles. You did the hard part! And now you have to run just .2 miles more? I mean, didn't you already prove your point?

On the way to work Monday, I remembered when I got here, I'd have to finish one of the papers I was working on last night. I successfully put it out of my mind enough to go to sleep and wake up, brush my teeth and get dressed, even make my coffee and head out the door. But at one point during my morning drive, I remembered. If you will, this paper is my .2 miles. I've been in classes since January 13th this semester. I've studied and showed up and even wrote the first 18 pages. I did the hard part. What more do I have to prove?

Toward the end of a semester if you ask a college student how they are doing, their first response is most likely "good" followed by "just trying to finish the semester." It's interesting that people so often say, "life is about the journey, not the destination." But on Monday, for the students just trucking along at the University of Miami, and the runners at the Boston Marathon, I really think it was just about crossing the finish line.

To be quite honest, I got the first breaking news alert about the winner of the Boston Marathon, and I forgot the event even had a winner. I mean, you're running 26.2 miles by your own free will. Doesn't that make you a winner enough? Yes, we all know it does, but in the great tradition of marathon running, the winner is whoever crosses that line first. And then there's me sitting at my desk remembering the paper I need to finish, and I forgot this event was a race at all.

Last year at the Boston Marathon, two homemade bombs went off at the finish line, killing three and injuring more than 200 people in the largest terrorist attack since September 11th. The bombs went off at 2:49 p.m., nearly three hours after the winners crossed the finish line. The explosions were in approximately the last 225 yards of the course. Obviously, many did not finish the race. Tragedy aside, it had to be disappointing to those who made it that far to have not been able to complete the task for a reason out of their control. Entrants who completed at least half the course and did not finish due to the bombings received automatic entry in today's race. See? It's about crossing that line.

In leading up to Marathon Monday, news organizations ran features on heightened security measures, last year's runners who have recovered, and last year's runners who are back to finish the race they started. Cheered on by signs reading, "This is OUR Race" runners did what they set out to do. One couple who had each lost a leg at last year's bombing returned and crossed the line in the hand cycle division of the marathon. When a man collapsed just shy of the finish line, one Washington Post reporter captured this photo of four other runners carrying him across. There is a video of this man crossing the finish line on his own, but it would not have been possible without the help of his fellow runners who understood he needed to cross the line.

I have a hard time understanding why anyone would want to subject their body to the stresses and discomfort of a 26.2 mile race, though there is much to be said about how you run it: with determination, passion, drive, and strength.

But I can understand why you'd want to finish it, for there is even more to be said about how you cross that line.

You heard it here first,
Jordan


0 Comments

How it Happened: Arianna Huffington 

4/18/2014

0 Comments

 
Photo: Instagram @ariannahuff
Photo: JC Ridley
Photo: JC Ridley
The entire experience really took a toll on my feet :)
I knew Arianna Huffington was coming to campus to discuss her new book, Thrive, but I wasn't sure what it was about - or at the time, how important its message really is. I knew Arianna Huffington for the reasons you probably know her: she is the Editor-in-Chief of The Huffington Post and President of the Huffington Post Media Group. In short, a powerful and influential woman.

I wanted to cover Huffington's visit for a few reasons. I'm always really aggressively chasing the story when a big name comes to campus. Remember when Hillary Clinton came? I also have a certain amount of stories to complete for a class I'm in. The stories for that class have to be on a quick turnaround time of less than 48 hours, and will air on the weekly NewsVision show, so this was a great opportunity. Plus, it would run as our lead story.

After researching the book and Huffington herself (something I always do when a guest comes,) I learned the book was about avoiding burnout, redefining success and thriving in your own life. Politics and media aside, this is a message we all probably can afford to hear. I found it poetic and a bit ironic that Arianna's visit came right around the time I felt myself really reach burnout, which happens at a certain point each semester. I've said yes to one more thing than I can handle, I am tired, my body is broken and if you ask me how I am doing, more often than not I am just "trucking along." Oh, and sometimes I'm even naive enough to think this means I'm successful.

In her book, Huffington recalls an experience in 2007 when she collapsed from exhaustion in her NY office and broke a few bones on the way down. As she puts it, "if you're laying in a pool of blood in you're office, you are not successful."

One thing I've found in my own life is that I wear being busy (and exhausted and burnt out) as a badge of being really important, and really successful. But it's not just me; after talking to students, I learned we all do it. The logic goes, if I'm so busy that I'm not sleeping, and skipping meals for meetings and deadlines, it must mean I am just so important and so successful. In reality, being successful means not having to sacrifice those things daily. And at 20 years old, these lessons need to begin to be integrated NOW, not later. You know, before too many meals are skipped and you're laying in a pool of blood in your office. (See earlier paragraph.)

So the day arrived for Arianna Huffington's visit faster than expected. In order to cover it, I had to leave class early but since it was the class the story was for, it was no big deal. Though I was excited to cover the event, I was upset to miss class since my intimate class of 7 students was in the middle of a real life conversation with our professor about the business and adult stuff. You know, the stuff your degree can't really teach you but people can.

I brought my friend Kamrel to act as a producer for this shoot, because as you might remember from Hillary Clinton's visit, I'm much more comfortable doing my job when I have someone I trust to handle the technical aspects of it.

We arrived and started shooting external shots of the location, some close ups of Huffington's books on a table, and my standup. Shooting the standup before anything else is always a bit tricky. Your standup is the time the reporter is on camera and says something to either close the story or bridge together the beginning and the end. It can usually sum everything up or further the conversation. And when you shoot your stand up before you shoot anything else, there's always the fear that it won't make any sense.

For this story, my standup was, "In her new book, Thrive, Huffington challenges readers and questions- if you're burnt out, are you really thriving at all?" I was able to write it early because after all of my research, I decided burnout was something our students could really relate to. There is a time and place for this story: she came to campus, here's why, here's what she said, and here's what people thought. But that isn't what I wanted to do. I wanted to tell a story that started a conversation.

With the always fabulous help, guidance and assistance from the University of Miami media relations team, we filed into the student media presser. Huffington arrived in the most chic white pantsuit with these amazing lace black flats. And that's the really important part.

Just kidding but she did look amazing. She introduced herself to everyone sitting in the front row with a handshake. I've seen it a few times (Rachel Maddow did the same thing) but it is always the most humbling thing I see at an event. Always. But beyond humble, Arianna proved to be graceful, gracious, lovely, classy and more.

We each asked a question, and since Arianna was being so generous with her time in answering, we actually ran out of time and ended after each outlet asked one question. The very best part about a presser is that you are recording the whole thing, so all the outlets are really working together in a way. If I like her response to the newspaper's question, I can still use it. And I love team coverage. It's my favorite thing.

The presser closed and we took a photo with Arianna. We do this every time a guest comes, and this time Arianna asked if we could take a selfie. I knew I liked her. She was just so cool.

We wrapped up as a group and went into the main room, where Huffington was to have a conversation with Donna Shalala. We each received a signed copy of the book and a spot on the press risers. We left toward the end of the Q&A session so we could sneak outside to grab a spot to grab some student reaction pieces.

If my story was about the fact that Huffington came to campus, my questions would probably be as follows:
Why did you want to come hear Arianna Huffington speak?
Did anything Huffington said today change your opinions of her?
What was your biggest take away from today?

But my questions were more like this:
Do you burn out?
Where do you think the pressure to work until you are burnt out comes from?
Why are we proud when we burn out? 
Huffington suggested students get a solid 8 hours of sleep, and if that's not possible then to sleep a half hour longer than you do now. Do you think that's possible or is there really no way to get things done unless you stay awake?
What would our campus be like if everyone did get 8 hours of sleep?
What was the biggest takeaway from today?

After talking to students, I realized the emphasis Arianna put on mindfulness. Be mindful of your energy, be mindful when your battery runs low and stop while there is time to recharge. Be mindful of how you are spending your time. Be mindful. Be fully alive. Be fully present. I loved watching the students I interviewed reflect on this. They are so thoughtful and intelligent, it is no surprise people want them to commit to various causes and they eventually burn out because of it.

We wrapped up and my parents came to town the next morning, so I didn't get to editing until the night before deadline at 10 p.m. Burnout not intended, I had a cup of coffee, stayed up until about 2 or 3 and finished the next day.

And I only had to skip one class to make it all happen.

You can see the piece as it aired below:

You heard it here first,
Jordan

0 Comments

Work Hard; Play Hard

4/2/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Instagram: @vicnews03 - Victoria latching onto AJ's leg on her last day so she'll stay with us!
I found out my direct supervisor AJ Goodwin was leaving NBC one day not too long ago when she started calling what seemed like everyone she had ever met in her 17-year-long career at this network. On her own terms, she decided to leave the business entirely for the opportunity to travel the world with her husband. She says she's sure they'll end up working again somewhere, but where and what that will be she does not know. They sold pretty much everything to their name except their car and carryon luggage, and were off.

The process of having a supervisor leave is a valuable work experience, I think, and it's had some very poetic moments. Here she is at the end (or at least the mid-point where it's time to take a bit of a break) of her 17-year journey with one company, and here I am at the very infant beginning of my own.

I almost always have words for a situation, and I'll try my best here, but the feeling I had at her going away party really is hard to describe. First off, I was just so flattered to be invited. I feel like I am just a blip on the radar that is her career at NBC.

I received an e-vite for the party and read through the list of invitees. I read over names of people I sit with at work every day, and names of people I've spoken to on the phone but had little idea who they were and what they did. I was excited to meet them all. I work with a producer named Victoria who is 27 years old, and across the room sits Lindsey, age 24. I knew the three of us would stick together amongst the crowd of 40-something professionals, and a joke that we were the "Kids' Table" did stick through the night.

I had permission to leave UMTV's NewsVision early to attend the party, so I did. I was wondering what the parking situation would be like, what I'd tell the hostess when I arrived (was I looking for the 'NBC' party? AJ's party?) and if I'd be the only one who didn't bring a gift. I was going to bring a gift, of course, but realized that my boss has just sold literally everything she ever owned, and I didn't want to burden her with one more thing before she left. I instead wrote a heartfelt card thanking her for everything she had done for me at this internship, and I truly meant every word of it.

I arrived at the party about 15 to 20 minutes late, but I knew it wouldn't be a big deal because I didn't think this party was as rigid as a business meeting, and I was still one of the first 10 people there. I did find Victoria and we did stick together. Victoria was in the NBC News Associate Program and has been at the bureau for about 2 years. She introduced me to many people by telling me their name, if I've probably/might ever interact with them and what they do at NBC.

My mom pointed out to me that maybe three years ago, I would've been too anxious, unsure and insecure to even give thought to attending this party by myself. But I did. I went alone, and I really did feel like I belonged, which is what I think 3-years-ago Jordan would've been most concerned about: belonging. I think the shift is due in part to my growth and newfound comfort in my own skin, but even more to the amazing people I work with who always, always, include me in every NBC task. A producer from the TODAY Show ended up next to me at one point in the party and told me that she was so glad I went. I hadn't thought about it at that early point in the night, but I was really glad I did, too. I felt like a dream had been realized: I have wanted to work with or for NBC for as long as I could remember, and here I was doing it, and it was every bit as good as I dreamed it would be.

I loved the chance to see my co-workers outside of work, and I was so impressed and intrigued by the conversations we had. They ranged from topics of news coverage to television to travel and just life in general, and I was so pleased with how enriching each one was. Sharing a room with people who are fundamentally similar to you, value the same things that you do and work hard to include you is truly wonderful. I don't know how other internships at other networks work, and I'm glad I get to find out at CBS this summer, but I will always look back on this semester with NBC with only the fondest of memories. It has been every single thing I wanted and more.

I can't find who said it, but one of my most favorite quotes is, "Create a life that feels good on the inside, not just one that looks good on the outside." It means it doesn't matter how gorgeous your house looks on the outside if it doesn't feel like a home to you on the inside. It doesn't matter if your nails are manicured and your hair is highlighted is if you're not truly a person you want to go to sleep as at the end of the day. This NBC party was another example of that. The party felt good on the inside. The television looks good on the outside, well, most days we hope. The organization functions on the outside looking in, and to some people's surprise, it feels good, too.

I knew early on in my internship with NBC that I would miss it when it was over. I'm lucky to have at least a month left at work. Though it is only an internship and it is only three days a week, I can imagine working being such a fulfilling part of life, and an important one. I am so grateful for the glimpse I get into that part of life every time I'm at NBC.

I'm glad to work for a company and in a bureau that never treats me like "just an intern." They don't give me tasks to do just because I am an intern, and they don't designate tasks for me because they themselves are above them. For what I sometimes feel I lack at UMiami, NBC has made me feel valued and important, and like I have a long lifetime of work -- and work parties -- to look forward to.

At this party, I realized the reason my stepdad returned to NBCUniversal 8 years ago after working there for 10 years and leaving for a brief 7. (That's a total 18 years with NBC.) My departing boss probably said it best when she said you don't expect such a big corporation to be such a family, yet it is.

We went outside at one point in the party to take a group photo. Someone made a joke about how one of our cameramen would find the best lighting for us. Initially, I felt awkward, as this seemed more like a family photo that would capture the stories and memories of AJ's 17 years at the network. I didn't want people to look back at it ten years from now and wonder who I was and why I was there. But with some convincing by Victoria, I did step into the photo.

And I'm glad I did, because they are, after all, my family, too.

You heard it here first,
Jordan
0 Comments

A Reflection on Friday, and Learning to Love the A Block

3/14/2014

0 Comments

 
I think I've always loved Fridays. I mean, what's not to love? Everyone has sat through rush hour together now four days in a row both ways to work, parents are excited for the sleepy faces and cuddly children they get to wake up tomorrow morning with pancakes, teenagers finally get to sleep past 7 a.m. for a brief two days to come. And at this internship, Fridays are almost always the busiest. A few Fridays ago, it was the day we covered the aunt who gave her nephew CPR on the expressway. And today on the way into work, a very nice man comped my parking, and a very nice woman in the elevator complimented my shoes (Target, leopard flats, clearance, 11 dollars [?!?!]).

In a newscast, the A block is the first block of the show, and traditionally the most important and pressing news of the day. The D Block is the last block, those stories that make you laugh and hopefully make you feel at some ease after the A, B and C blocks -- you know, the real adult stuff. In the days of the week, Friday is the D Block. Not necessarily the reason you turned on the TV, but it'll make you glad you did once it comes.

But this blog post is not as much about Fridays as it's about last Friday- the day we went back to the UMiami campus to get sound for a Nightly News story. I've gotten sound on UM's campus many times. Once, I did a story about texting and driving and I got sound from students who said: I never text and drive... I try not to. And a reluctant admittance: Yeahhhh, I text and drive.

But today, this sound would not make its way into a story that would live forever on my external hard drive. This sound would go to NY.

That Friday morning, the Pew Research Center released a study on millenials ages 18 to 33 (that's me!) saying that we essentially are unattached to everything except social media:
-Relatively unattached to organized politics and religion
-Linked by social media
-Burdened by debt
-Distrustful of people
-In no rush to marry
-Optimistic about future 

So we went to UMiami to ask millenials how they felt in reaction to this research. I first got changed so I looked a little more professional and then I met up with the cameraman, Bruce. Pay attention to Bruce. He's important to this story.

I received instruction from a producer in NY that we should interview 80% ethnic looking people, and diversity is huge. This is because the research from Pew also said that our generation is the most diverse yet. I knew this wouldn't be a challenge at Miami, where on the way to class I often hear conversations in up to 5 different languages.

I found two students sitting at a table, one African American and one Moroccan and we were able to interview both of them. I realized how in my element I felt, working for my internship but on a campus that is kind of a home base to me. The best part is that most of the students we interviewed didn't even know I was a student. To them, I was exactly who I introduced myself to be: "with NBC News."

The day continued like this and we interviewed about 5 students in total. There were people in LA also getting sound, so we really just needed a handful of really good bites, which we got. As I listened to this diverse sampling of students tell us their views on religion, politics, marriage and technology, I felt proud to attend a school with such smart and passionate people. I feel proud to attend a university where students are doing what Hillary Clinton urged us to do when she was here, which is not be a passerby in this world, and to get off of the sidelines and become an active participant. From the sound of what my peers were saying, I think they were doing just that.

At one point during a lull of passerby to choose from, Bruce said we should interview me. In a moment that was very unlike me, I was at first really resistant. I'm the intern- am I stepping on toes? Is it even appropriate? And that diversity thing. Hello white girl from the suburbs. It was honestly the first time in my life I initially said no to being on camera. But I sat down and did it. You know, an intern's gotta do what an intern's gotta do. And okay, I love the camera. You'll hear Bruce's voice in the clip below.

I ended up really loving the chance to explore these questions for myself, and have someone care for 6 whole minutes about what I thought.

We did one more interview after my own, and I really did hope Nightly would choose my bite. I came back to the bureau and logged all of our interviews. I always indicate what I think might be really good bites by putting ** next to them. While logging, I felt really awkward **ing my own bites. I mean, I thought they were good but that's kind of the same as liking your own Facebook photo. Of course you like it, you posted it. As in, of course I liked my bites... I said them.

But that awkward feeling did not stop me from saying to Mark Potter, "Hey Mark, look!!" while pointing to my own photo on our screen.

Picture

I finished at work and came home, and promptly invited all of my friends to a Nightly News viewing party in my room. No one came, such short notice and everything ;) but I was really pleased to see our story early in the show. As in, the last story in the A block (theoretically the most important news of the day!). I was expecting it to be D block, which is the fluffy stuff. You know, we spoke to a bunch of 20-year-olds and here's how they feel. 

Now, I love the D block. Do not get me wrong. On NewsVision at UMTV, I always joke that I can write the D block like nobody's business. It might be my favorite of all, I admit and then duck my head down to make sure the world hasn't fallen apart around me since I said it. I've written D block stories about the day Time Magazine posted a list of the most influential candy bars, National Pancake Day (closes the show!!),  and I've suggested my friends do packages on extremely unnecessary news... like how much students like the milkshakes at the baseball games.

But like I said, our story made the A Block. NBC had also done a bit with Buzzfeed for this spot, which made total sense because Buzzfeed is a company aimed entirely at millenials and their habits, but it meant fewer of our bites would make it into the story, and actually none of mine. But I was okay with that fact because they did use a bite we received at UM that day, over any of the ones gathered in LA, which is just a cool bonus.

It's true with more of our bites, I would've had a chance at instant fame and Brian Williams knowing who I was for a few seconds. But without Buzzfeed we would've been D Block.

And tonight, for the very first time, D Block is not where I wanted to be.

You heard it here first,
Jordan   

0 Comments

#ClintonOnCampus

3/3/2014

0 Comments

 
I can't remember the first time I heard Hillary Clinton would be coming to campus. I think it was earlier this year when someone said a "special guest" was coming. It was said kind of casually, probably by a professor to me and a group of my friends. We thought back to Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Les Moonves, Mitt Romney, Andy Cohen, all of these important guests who we've been lucky enough to host. And then an official announcement was made at another point I can't quite remember, and campus buzzed.

I learned about it through a press release, to which I replied faster than any reflex I've ever had.

One camera, one producer, one reporter (me).

That's not an excerpt from the e-mail I wrote back to media relations; that's the whole thing.

At work, my Bureau Chief told me Hillary Clinton was giving remarks at UM. I said, "I know, I'm covering it!" She was happy for me, obviously, and said if I wasn't covering it for UMTV, she would've credentialed me through NBC. That was too cool.

And then the night finally arrived.

I left work early because I had this awful feeling in my belly regarding the unknown traffic situation on the roads due to her appearance. When Joe Biden was nearby, the main road I take from work to home was closed off. I didn't realize initially the road was closed because of Biden until I saw what looked like a presidential car drive past me. Until that point, I thought something absolutely horrible had happened in Coral Gables. Dramatic, yes, but there were police officers at literally every single intersection.

Anyway, on the day Clinton came to campus, it took me a half hour to get back to campus. I curled my hair, decided what to wear and ended up with exactly what I initially planned on after trying on many outfits and not being satisfied. I made throat coat tea because my throat was scratchy and I had a long night ahead of me. I watched The Bachelor.

I arrived at the event and met up with my friend and producer for this shoot and the other reporter working for NewsVision with me. She was going to be on the media risers shooting the remarks and Q&A with President Donna Shalala. I would be in the press room to watch the speech, and my story would be on the student reaction.

University of Miami President Shalala and Hillary Clinton are great friends since Shalala served as U.S. President Bill Clinton's Secretary of Health and Human Services. 

Because former First Lady Hillary Clinton is still protected by Secret Service, all of the camera equipment gets sniffed by a bomb dog. After the sweep, my producer and I shot some exterior shots of the event and location, shot my stand up and also did 3 interviews with students who were waiting in line.

I was having genuine fun. 

Usually on shoots, I am by myself to deal with equipment and being a reporter all at once. So while I'm asking a person questions for the story, I'm also trying to look through the lens and make sure the shot is framed, the lighting is correct and the audio is working. It's a lot to think about, so I owe a huge thanks to my producer on this shoot, Carlee Rasner, who is largely the reason that on this night, I was able to do my job and enjoy myself all at once. 

So I was in the press room for the very first time. I love the press room. I want to live my whole life in the press room. There was free coffee, tea, water, cookies, etc. And I heard there was sushi although I missed it. Press rooms look just like they do in the movies: long tables with folding chairs, and reporters with laptops. 

We found "Reserved UMTV" and sat down. In case you're lost, it's the one directly behind, "Reserved NY Times."

I grabbed my laptop and opened TweetDeck, also known as the greatest program to ever exist. TweetDeck makes it insanely easy for you to keep tabs on way too many things at once (which is what we were all doing in the press room). My TweetDeck is set up with columns: my personal Twitter feed, my TV/media Twitter feed, news, news about the media, and mentions to me. I was glad to see so many other laptops with TweetDeck open too. I tweeted, "Does @HillaryClinton have butterflies?" 

At a point, the playlist that had been on in the press room played Fleetwood Mac's "Don't Stop." This was Bill Clinton's campaign song in the 90s and as soon as it came on I, for lack of a better description, freaked out.

Me: This was Clinton's campaign song in the 90s, are you dying? I'm dying.
Everyone else: **keyboards typing, Twitters tweeting, free coffee pouring**

Alright, well. That happened.

I went into the event room where 6,000 people were waiting for Hillary Clinton and I waited too. I'd spend the rest of the evening in the press room, but I wanted to see her come out. She did. I teared up. Put your politics aside for just a moment and understand and consider that this woman is among the most powerful women in the world… and potentially the next POTUS. Just think about the doors that have been closed so she could have a conversation. Or the times she's sat in the situation room more aware of how a decision she made would impact us than we could probably ever be.

The magnitude of the night was not lost on me. I felt very lucky to be exactly where I was at that exact moment doing what I was doing.

After Clinton's speech, I headed outside with Carlee to conduct some more student reaction interviews.

We finished up and I felt like we definitely had more than enough to make a great story. I met up with the other reporter to share and swap footage. Afterward, Taco Bell. Because dinner. 

I started editing my story and went to sleep around 3 a.m. with it mostly done. I woke up at 8 a.m to finish other things and get on with my day. After so little sleep, I felt like a zombie re-incarnate for most of the day. 

I went to my first class to hand in a paper and stayed, but I skipped my next two classes so I could eat lunch and take a shower before anchoring NewsVision that night. 

We opened the show with teases relating to Hillary's visit. We aired the packages back to back, and I said, "THE ONE QUESTION STILL ON EVERYONE'S MIND- WILL SHE COME BACK AS A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE?" 

I breathed a big sigh. And I slept really well that night.

Sometimes the former Secretary of State comes to campus and just throws everything off… or reminds you that your priorities are just where they should be.

You heard it here first,
Jordan

See the package here.


0 Comments

The Day Al Roker Rocked Twitter

1/28/2013

0 Comments

 
In a moment of unity, on a day when partisanship was obvious yet ignored, Al Roker was trending on Twitter.

For out of all of the people waiting on Pennsylvania Avenue one week ago today for the 57th Presidential Inauguration, hoping for just a glimpse of the newly re-inaugurated President of the United States, Al Roker was the one who yelled after Mr. Obama and asked about the weather.

I couldn't help but smile while watching it, and hearing the rest of the Today Show cast giggling into their mics at the fact that it was even happening filled my heart with joy and was a big slice of humble pie... that yes, even Today Show anchors get interviews they never dreamed of or planned on.

To me, that moment gave every aspiring journalist and meteorologist a glimmer of hope. And a large slice of insight.

When I covered the President's visit to the BankUnited Center on the University of Miami campus, I submitted my request for media credentials like many other local journalists and networks did, and I waited for a response. It came, and I sent it to everyone I know, with something resembling the fact that not only was I going to be in the same room as the POTUS, but I'd be filming it for use on our very own evening newscast! I was working on deadline, and it was awesome.

When Al Roker got the "interview," as Brian Williams calls it, with President Obama I realized that someone requested media credentials for him to stand exactly where he stood, too. And someone got a confirmation email, and Al Roker probably told his family about it at the dinner table that night. And I'm sure his kids thought it was pretty cool. In a way, I guess I realized that Today Show anchors are just like us. The POTUS is a big freaking deal to them, too.

I still have my "White House Press Pool" press pass from that day, and I probably will forever. Not only was it my first press pass, but it was from the White House. The White House! To see the President!

And though I can't say for sure, I have a feeling when Al Roker actually caught President Obama's attention and exchanged words with him, he had similar thoughts. "That's the president!!" ... "From the White House!!"

I liked it. Because it doesn't matter who you voted for, and it doesn't matter what you believe. This is the President of the United States. (Isn't that what inaugurations are really all about anyway?) And something a Today Show anchor did made the entire country look, and not so long after, he was trending on Twitter.

And if that wasn't enough, after a year full of shootings, debates, crime scenes, accidents and natural disasters, Joe Biden did something that made me forget about the laundry list above. The actual Vice President of the United States broke format and shook Al Roker's hand. It unified America, and for a short minute, the news personality made the news.

And while all of the Secret Service had a momentary freak out, it was great television. ( <-- See it here!)

And you can't beat that.

You heard it here first,
Jordan

There he is! Follow the "O" in Florida down to a white spot... right before the guy in striped polo.
A screenshot of my confirmation e-mail for media credentials.
0 Comments

    Categories

    All
    26.2
    ABC
    A Block
    Al Diaz
    Al Roker
    Ann Curry
    Anxiety
    Arianna Huffington
    Atlanta
    Baby
    Bank United Center
    Bill Clinton
    Birmingham
    Book
    Boston Marathon
    Boston Marathon Bombings
    Brian Stelter
    Brian Williams
    Bureau
    Cameraman
    Campaign
    Career
    CBS
    CBS News
    CBS This Morning
    Coffee
    College
    Columbia
    Commencement
    Company
    Connecticut
    Coral Gables
    Cosmopolitan
    Courthouse
    Coverage
    D Block
    Dolphin Expressway
    Donna Shalala
    DUI
    Ernest Hemingway
    Evening News
    Family
    Fear Of Missing Out
    Finish Line
    First Lady
    Friday
    Fusion
    George Stinney
    Georgia
    Going Away
    Good Morning America
    Hillary Clinton
    Hillary Rodham Clinton
    Inauguration
    Intern
    Internship
    Interview
    Jeff Fager
    Job
    Joe Biden
    Jordan Schuman
    Journalism
    Justin Bieber
    Kate White
    Katie Couric
    Kerry Sanders
    Kindergarten
    Lessons
    Life
    Linda Ellerbee
    List
    Lunch
    Magazine
    Manhattan
    Marathon
    Mark Potter
    Maternity
    Matt Lauer
    Memoir
    Miami
    Michael Dunn
    Millenial
    Mom
    Motherhood
    Motto
    Mr. Rogers
    NBC
    NBC Internship
    NBC News
    Network News
    Newscast
    NewsVision
    Newtown
    New York
    New York City
    Nick News
    Nightly News
    Obama
    Olympics
    Pew Research Center
    POTUS
    President
    Ratings
    Reporter
    Resident Assistant
    Resume
    Sacrifice
    Savannah Guthrie
    School
    Scott Pelley
    Secretary Of State
    Secret Service
    Semester
    Shoes
    Sirius XM
    Sleep
    Social Media
    Someday
    South Carolina
    Special Report
    Sports
    Strangers
    Summer
    Susan Zirinsky
    Television
    The Boston Globe
    The Chicago Tribune
    The Huffington Post
    The Miami Herald
    Thrive
    TODAY Show
    To-Do
    Trial
    Twitter
    UMTV
    University Of Miami
    Valentines
    Washington DC
    Washington Post
    Weather
    Wedding
    Work

    Archives

    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    October 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012

    RSS Feed

    Get in touch. 

    -
    -
Submit