Hali Hollman. Communication: Broadcast and Digital Journalism

When I first began my college career at Mississippi State University, I felt confident I was on the correct path for my success. I began studying business management as a freshman, thinking that I was on the best path for me. I enjoyed learning about different aspects of business and how decisions are made in the business world. Many courses I took were interesting to me, but I stuggled in a few courses due to lack of interest. I always though that business would be the perfect major for me and I could see myself working in a similar field, so I stuck it out. At this point in time, I thought the practicality of a business degree would be enough to keep me motivated.

As I moved into my sophomore year, I realized that I did not enjoy the math that went into so many of my courses. As I looked at my future and had learned about more career opportunities, I decided I wanted to pursue other studies. I wanted to work with people and with writing. My second semester of sophomore year I changed my major to Broadcast and Digital Journalism. I considered print as a major, but I worried that I would not get the social interactions and teamwork aspect that I wanted. I also picked up a minor in Pre-Law. Changing my major and picking up a minor has been the best decision I have ever made. I found my niche within law and media. Although I do not plan to work in any kind of Broadcasting, I think this major has greatly benefited my creative and social skills that I will use for the rest of my life.

Majoring in Broadcast and Digital Journalism within the Communication department has brought me my greatest joys. The Communication department and Mississippi State University is centered around teamwork and community. I have met some of the most wonderful people and worked on my skills for communicating effectively and efficiently. I love how my major brings people together to work as a team. Whether supporting one another in our own journalistic processes or building an entire news broadcast as a team, this major has taught me the importance of community and teamwork that I spent my first year of college looking for.

One of my favorite college courses has been Photographic Communication. I took a few photography classes in high school, and I loved capturing intriguing images that make people stop and stare. My favorite project in this course was working with portraits. I learned how to frame a headshot, full body shot and everything in between and how to edit in photo raw. This project gave me confidence and experience that opened up a small business opportunity for me. Since the course, I have taken photos for many graduations at the end of each semester and have been able to make money from these side projects. I hope to continue photography as a side-hustle or hobby for years to come.

Another project that changed the trajectory of my future plans was an assignment for a case study in mass media law. This was a difficult class, but I fell in love with the combination of legal activity and the First Amendment rights that we use in media. For my final project in this course I studied Frisby v. Shultz, a case involving picketing. This case involved a doctor preforming legal abortions for clients and citizens protesting in his yard against it. Learning the laws around freedom of speech and petition and how they cross the line was so fascinating to me. This project pushed me to pursue a career in mass media law or legal personal relations.

For as long as I can remember, I have always had a passion for writing. When I was little, I would write stories and have my grandparents staple pages together so I could write books. I have always loved creative writing and enjoyed learning about the different ways you can tell a story. Going into the legal field, I am having to train my brain to move away from the creative writing style into a more streamline, legal style, which is very difficult, but I think it will make me an even more well-rounded writer.

I have already begun to get excited for this course and how it will teach me new ways to combine media for conveying stories, news and information to the public. From our reading of “Snowfall at Tunnel Creek” I was able to gain an understanding of the course material we will be working with going forward. I loved the interactive elements that keep you entertained in longer form writing. I am excited to continue to see how multimedia elements put together can capture an audience’s attention and keep them entertained and engaged throughout the duration of the story.

This upcoming August I will be attending law school at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. I am excited to combine my experience in journalism with my legal knowledge. I currently plan to work as a legal personal relations advisor for a law firm or as an attorney for a media law firm. This career path, shaped by my shift in course studies, is something that I am confident I will excel in for years to come.

As a legal PR advisor, I would handle personal relations for a law firm and guide them in the right direction when handling client outreach, media communication, ethical reporting and more. If I go in the direction of mass media law, I will work as an attorney to represent clients in cases involving many types of media. Although the First Amendment protects freedom of speech, there are limitations that most people are not fully aware of. I would like to serve as a guide for these laws and limitations for my clients and bridge the gap between media and law.

Overall, I am so thankful for the people and experiences during college that have shaped me. I am excited to wrap up my senior year this May with all of the amazing memories college has brought me. Mississippi State University will always be a massive part of my life journey. I am so excited to bring the skills I have learned during my time here into the professional legal media world to make a difference in the lives of others.

Email me at hnh222@msstate.edu with any questions