BET news anchor, Ed Gordon was pleased to give the 2011 Spring Convocation Address here at Claflin University for the new 2011 school year. Before speaking to the Claflin University family Ed Gordon spoke at a Press Conference held in the G.T.K. studio to faculty, staff, and students in the Mass Communications department.
Ed Gordon spoke with the Mass Communication department, but mainly directed his message to the students giving advice, answering questions from students, and sharing his life story about how he got his success in being one of the top journalists of our generation.
As a number of students who took turn one at a time to ask questions, Ed Gordon used the students’ questions to relate and give personal examples about his life. For example, a student by the name of Phyllis Duncan, a sophomore Mass Communication major here at Claflin asked a question and read directly off her paper, so Mr. Gordon gave a little advice by telling her when asking questions “never read directly from your paper and know what question you want to ask before asking it and to stop being afraid of what you think is going to happen”. Although, giving constructive criticism he did compliment Miss. Phyllis on preparing a good question with the background information, and told her she had done her homework with the facts about his life. This also brought Mr. Gordon into a discussion about the broadcast industry as a whole and what students can do to prepare for a career in this particular field of work.
The broadcasting industry is one of the top most competitive fields in the world. It requires you to be the best at what you do and to always be an asset to the company for whom you are working for. Ed Gordon talked about how constructive criticism is a big deal and to be prepared because “people are always going to be there to tell you what to do”, and as workers who are just beginning this career we should just listen and learn but to also have thick skin. He mentions as neophytes we should wait for our time to shine because if we work hard and remain dedicated success is bond to come. Lastly, he discussed that students coming into the industry to make sure we are well rounded and to have versatility such as being able to be the talent on the screen, working lighting, editing footage, and producing the show but to also know your strengths and weakness and never be dead weight.
Overall, I feel that Ed Gordon had a lot to say about Mass Communications. He was able to relate to the students one on one and give real life experience situations to help us relate to him. I believe as a future writer, Ed Gordon was a great pick to be the speaker at the 2011 Spring Convocation. He was able to give advice that could help the students in the Mass communication department while we are still in school trying to earn a degree and for the future when we are ready to start careers in whatever field we chose.
