I'm a hustler, baby...

On Friday I attend a workshop and panel discussion on convergence media for part of University of Miami’s Communication Week. During the first half of the discussion we were given the chance to work with professionals and receive some very important advice. My group met with Will Payne, who works for CurrentTV, a new station that prides itself in airing user generated content and proving that young journalists deserve to have their voice heard.

I am really excited about where Current is taking new media. Allowing younger generations to produce their own packages and have them aired on television is something that truly takes vision. Will is a firm believer in there being many roads to success. He recognized how important internships are but also challenged students to go out and get their work published. There will also be many opportunities for young journalists to work in this new media, he affirmed.

Finally, since this new technology has only been available for a few years, younger generations are exhibiting great skill in producing their own news. Therefore, if we can capture the four components of content (character, information, movement, and conflict) according to Will, then we are ready.

“You need to be hustlers,” Will said. “You need to know how to get content to the people who want content.”