Who I am (Beth Nalewajk)

I am 35 years old with 3 kids and have been with my husband for almost 14 years.  I have a certificate in video production from Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts, a broadcasting "trade school" in Michigan.  I have produced several commercials and disc golf documentary projects.  My two youngest children were born after I graduated from Specs and by the time I was ready to return to the business, digital had taken over the industry.  

I had to get a Bachelor's in order to get a job in Michigan because the job market has nearly disappeared.  There used to be a time in Michigan when a person wanting to earn their needed experience had to relocate to the Northern or less populated areas of the state, stay on the job for 6 months to a year and then be able to begin looking for employment back in the Metro Detroit area or elsewhere.  However, all of the experienced people began to take those jobs and left those of us still trying to break in or needing more experience with no options.

I have a B.S. in Mass Communications and one in Business Communications from Rochester College, a small Christian college that is really working to make their mark in the academic world.  I served as Opinions Editor for the school newspaper and staff writer for the alumni magazine for 3 semesters, but found it hard to be asked to write more soft stories. 

The program is very tough and we had to complete a Senior Project to graduate.  I began to study race in the media and became interested in what is occasionally called "the young, pretty, white girl syndrome."  As a mother of 3 kids, I find it wrong that any one person or persons would be given more media time than another in a case like this.  A missing individual is a tragedy to family members, friends, classmates, etc.  My research began almost 2 1/2 years ago and I am still very passionate about my subject.

I am interested in history, researching and some day sharing my knowledge and experience with other students.  I currently work with Dr. Park as his research assistant and Dr. Chavez as his T.A. for Journalism history.  I am a geek and I love doing this stuff!  I hope to continue to explore my research topic and others related to race and the media in the hopes that someday a change can be made that treats every person equally.