Educator In Dallas Believes Education Is A Foundation For Success
Erica Edwards is the lead faculty and program coordinator for journalism and student media at the Dallas County Community College District's Richland College.
Edwards earned a Bachelor's of Arts in Journalism with a broadcast emphasis from the University of Minnesota.
The media world can be extremely volatile; she worked in the radio industry during the age of deregulation. It wasn't necessarily bad, but there was always a lot of movement. Edwards was laid off, and worked for a while for an advertising agency. She ended up back at the same radio station and then was part of another round of lay offs. Working in jobs that weren't necessarily a good fit taught her that she could do what she needed to do to survive, but it also convinced her that she needed to pursue her master's degree. She thought, "If not now, when?" Edwards was looking to transition to a new career and felt that earning a master's degree would help her accomplish that.
Seven years had passed from the time Edwards had graduated with her bachelor's degree to the time she started her master's degree. "I felt ready and excited to start this new adventure," said Edwards.
She earned a Master's of Science in Public Relations from Syracuse University. "I was offered a job even before graduation. I had completed my coursework and was contemplating my thesis when I was offered a job," said Edwards.
"We have to be willing, able and prepared to make a lot of adjustments. My career path has taken a lot of twists and turns. I am in a job that I love now. There is no question in my mind that my master's degree enabled me to successfully navigate the path that brought me here. And a master's degree is an absolute requirement for my current position. It is critically important that tomorrow's journalists have a sound foundation. There is not one right path for one to become a journalist; but, I do have the experience and the education to help students become really solid professionals," said Edwards.
Robin D. Everson is a native Chicagoan who resides in Dallas, Texas. Her appreciation for art, food, wine, people and places has helped her become a well-respected journalist. A life-long lover of education, Robin seeks to learn and enlighten others about culture. You can find her work at Examiner.com
