Congratulations to every student who received an award at the Scripps Banquet. It is truly an honor to go to school with such brilliant peers, especially the ones I’ve had the opportunity to know personally.
But what about the students who work just as hard to advance themselves here at OU? The E.W. Scripps School of Journalism is known to be one of the most competitive schools at this university. This is evident on the first week of any journalism class when students are competing for a professor’s attention, making sure their opinion is heard among their peers. Journalism-affiliated clubs can be just as aggressive and intimidating. These elite students are often recognized with scholarships, networking opportunities and awards.
Now, I understand this is the primary route to make it in this business. Stepping out of your comfort zone and showing involvement is something that is ingrained into a college student’s brain from day one. But three years later, I’m still the kid who struggles, wanting to get to the top just like my journalism colleagues.
It’s not motivation that hinders me from recognition. I have three jobs on campus and a 3.76 GPA. I don’t spend all my time doing academic work, ignoring hands-on opportunity.
I work with the College of Fine Arts as a communications and marketing assistant, developing skills necessary for my specialization. I work at the Lasher Hall computer lab because I couldn’t find a faculty member who would write a solid recommendation letter for the Scripps computer lab prior to this year.
Lastly, I raise money for the College of Communications at the OU Phonathon, a task I thought would suck the life out of me but has done just the opposite: It has strengthened my interpersonal communication skills and has also allowed me to network with some truly amazing alumni.
It sounds like I’m complaining, but I’m simply pointing out the hundreds of students like myself who work just as hard as anyone to secure a future with a college degree. I wish I could find the time to get involved with extracurricular activities to build my resume and receive major awards and scholarships, but my financial situation is a burden on me. I have to focus on opportunities with monetary incentive because without them, I truly would have to drop out of school. Even with my credentials, my parents have to pay tuition out of pocket to supplement my own federal loans.
For future consideration, take a look at the students who raise money so these students can receive scholarships. Take a look at a competitive major in which students are figuring out other affordable ways to complete their degrees, all while building their resume. Lastly, take a look at the kid who won’t be able to go to school next year because he couldn’t even receive the Scripps College of Communication General Scholarship with three jobs and an academic record that hasn’t come easy.
Ryan Judy is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University.
