Fin.

The end is finally here. The last eight months have gone by so fast. Is it because I’ve been busy? Or having fun? Probably both… In just a few days, I’ll be done with the photojournalism graduate program and my classes and BU will be a thing of the past. Have I learned? Yea. Have I grown? Sure. Would I do it again?

Maybe…

There are things I’ve loved about the last eight months, and things I wish had happened differently. It’s been a couple of crazy semesters, so let’s take some time to reflect. Join me, won’t you? Won’t you…..?

I came to the BU photojournalism program because I wanted to surround myself in a professional environment, with professional people, to prepare myself for the professional world. There was a big variance in skill level among my peers (some people didn’t have any experience in photojournalism, and now some don’t want to go into photojournalism). I wish there had been more of an even playing ground. Now that the eight classes are over, I see that the world of photojournalism has changed over. It looked a lot more hopeful than it does now. The profession of photojournalism looks like it’s disappearing. Have I made a mistake?

From the start, I was worried that I might be wasting my time going back to school for graduate degree. A lot of people say the only thing that matters is the ability to get the picture every time and that a formal education in photojournalism is a waste of time. I disagreed, feeling as though it was essential to be trained as a journalist with a camera, and not just be another guy with a camera. I wanted to understand the laws that protect me, and to understand the concepts and ethics of photojournalism.

Did I accomplish that? Yes, absolutely, but it’s hard to stay positive when every other person I talk to tells me to get out of photojournalism while I still can, to head for the hills and learn a “real” trade. Then again, every other person I talk to tell me that there’s never been a better time for visual journalism, and soon organizations will be looking to hire people just like me. I’m confused. Just give me a straight answer! Or a job.

So I’ve got half the people telling me to try something new, and half the other people telling me hang in there. Sure, I’ll try to hang in there, but student loans are on their way, and I can only hang so for long.

My first semester here at BU was considerably more fun, and considerably easier. But “easy,” doesn’t enter into adult life, does it? I enjoyed my classes more, the professors were great, and everything was new. The difference between grad school and undergrad was obvious-more responsibility, higher standards, and there was a sense of professionalism among my peers. I had more free time to pursue stories and projects and create things I was proud of.

This semester was a lot more hectic. With 20 credits, two internships, a job, freelancing and roommate drama, I think I had too much to juggle at once. I spent the entire semester behind the camera, or in front of a computer. Or running around Boston. I didn’t have enough time or energy to put 100% effort into anything, and that was frustrating. I was shooting for one class in between freelancing, writing while I was editing, and interviewing while I was working. OK, maybe that’s what “real” life is like, but c’mon… seriously? Give me a break.

I realize I can be a pessimist at times, but I really only enjoyed about half my classes. Yes, I gained something from every class, but I found a lot of the material not only repetitive from what I had learned from experience before coming here, but there was also a lot of repetition from within the program. I kept getting, literally, the same assignments in different classes, learning software I had learned the semester before, and listening to the same guest speakers lecture our class.

There needs to be communication within the department about the course material. When the program is so short, you only have so much time to learn, and it was frustrating having to do something I had already done. It’s also expensive. Time is money, and when it’s more than a dollar a minute to be in the classroom, I wanted to be getting my money’s worth of information. Has this experience paid off? Yea, I’ve made some good contacts, I’ve learned more about the profession and myself as a photographer, but the answer to that question won’t come anytime soon.

I think I came here expecting to be handed a job as soon as classes were over. But the profession took a hit, and the economy took a hit, and things have changed. Only time will tell… Part of me wishes I had gone from undergrad straight into a job. By this time, I think I could have made myself a valuable member of a staff and survived cutbacks to some degree. But who knows? I can’t go back in time. Although I have my complaints, I’d recommend the program to anyone who is looking for a crash course in photojournalism, and anyone who doesn’t have a significant amount of experience with it. You’ll learn a lot about your style of shooting, how to improve, and you’ll have some of the best brains to tap for information. Not to mention, you’ll be doing it in an incredible city.

I love Boston. I think I’ve always been a city boy at heart and living in the city has been an experience in itself. Having gone to undergrad in upstate New York, the city was a nice change from what I’ve experienced. The ways I’ve grown came not only from classes, but also from living in this city for the last eight months. From the Head of the Charles, to surviving the T, to the whole Obama thing, to St. Patty’s Day, to BU Hockey, to the Marathon, there’s always something exciting going on. There’s so much energy, and so much history – I’m going to try my best to stay here. However, the eagerness to stay in Boston could close doors on job opportunities elsewhere.

So what now? I’m going to continue to freelance and pull in some money while I continue looking for full-time work. It may be a little unstable, but it’s going to take some time until newspapers figure things out and get back on their feet. I’m glad I did it, but I’m glad I don’t have to do it again. I’m eager to start working, to start making money and produce important work. I’ll always have the degree in my pocket to fall back on.

So until I find work, wish me luck, and I’ll keep shooting.

Go Sox.