How Summer Work Experiences Benefit Undergraduates

image: Lukas Politis

In addition to studying media and strategic communications at Iona College in New York, Lukas Politis is involved in a number of on- and off-campus activities. In addition to his volunteer experience with his fraternity, Zeta Kappa Chi, Lukas Politis has spent the past three summer breaks working in various industries.

Taking a short-term job during the summer break can be beneficial for college students. They can use the money they earn in the summer to defray tuition and living costs for the upcoming semester. However, the benefits go beyond the financial.

Even if the job is not directly related to their desired career field, all students can practice important soft-skills, such as time management and collaboration, which are necessary to succeed in any position.

Temporary jobs also can lead to long-lasting professional connections that can help students find work. For many, a temporary summer job can transition into ongoing part-time work or a full-time offer after graduation.

The Rise of Digital Broadcasting

Lukas Politis image

A recipient of a merit-based scholarship, undergraduate Lukas Politis attends Iona College in New Rochelle, New York. Lukas Politis is working toward a bachelor’s degree in media and strategic communications, a program that includes courses in digital media and broadcasting.

Traditionally, broadcast media has been defined as audio or video for mass consumption over mediums such as radio and television. Today, however, the advent of the Internet and digital transmission platforms has increased the capacity of the broadcasting industry. The amount of information broadcast through digital channels more than tripled between 2000 and 2007.

Digital signals take less space, which allows more broadcasting stations to exist simultaneously. Further, digital signals have less interference than analog channels.

These factors have resulted in the ability of broadcasters to provide high-quality niche content to a wide audience. To partake in these benefits, governments around the world are in various stages of transitioning their entire broadcasting infrastructure to digital platforms.

Sports and Good Grades: How Are They Connected?

image - Lukas Politis

Majoring in media and strategic communications, Lukas Politis received the Gael Scholarship grant from Iona College. Lukas Politis is a sports enthusiast who regularly plays basketball as a hobby and was once a winner during the 3×3 fundraiser tournament in his college intramurals. In addition, he has a personal trainer which keeps him fit for his active lifestyle.

Studies suggest that physically active individuals are not only healthier but perform better on tests related to intellectual ability. A Harvard University psychiatrist named John Ratey synthesized volumes of research works in his book, “Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.” The book mentioned that the MRI scans of sedentary persons who get involved in fitness activities showed an increase in the frontal lobes and the hippocampus. These parts of the brain are responsible for cognitive function, learning, and memory.

Another study conducted by the universities of Dundee and Strathclyde among 5,000 adolescents and children showed strong links between physical exercise and success in english, science, and math exams. According to the study, children between the ages of 11 and 16 who exercised regularly are more academically inclined.

The Centers for Disease and Control Prevention also reported in 2010 that in 50 studies revolving around the subjects of physical activity and academic performance, 251 associations between the two subjects were noted, representing measures of cognitive attitudes and skills, academic behavior, and academic achievement.

The Academic Preparations for a Career in Sports Broadcasting

photo: Lukas Politis

Lukas Politis took several jobs around New York while he was pursuing his studies. He is currently enrolled at Iona College where he is majoring in media and strategic communications. Lukas Politis is particularly interested in topics related to journalism, news broadcasting, and sports broadcasting.

Sports broadcasting involves a lot of tasks, such as play-by-play announcing, color-commentating, conducting interviews with coaches and players, anchoring sports news, writing press releases and news materials, and participating in radio shows. Lukas’ passion and knowledge for sports is his starting point for a career in sports broadcasting.

Most sports broadcasters pursued a college degree in communications. Others have taken broadcast journalism in college. Classes that emphasize audio production and media writing would be valuable. A high school student who is determined to pursue a career in sports broadcasting has to intelligently choose the college program he or she wants to take and the university or college that offers the program.

When choosing the right undergraduate school, some factors have to be considered such as availability of facilities like school TV or radio station, which would provide hands-on experience in game announcing, statistics tracking, and marketing.

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