CMJ 236 Welcome Post

I'm a third year student at the University of Maine studying Forest Ecosystem Science (FES) and Journalism. This past semester I decided to expand my opportunities in the working world by adding a Journalism Major to my almost completed FES major. This is, therefore, the first journalism course I have taken in the three years I have spent at the University. For me, it is worth staying an extra semester to get two degrees. With these two diverse majors, I will be qualified for a variety of jobs such as working in a lab, writing scientific articles on the environment, or writing on any topic that may interest me at the time. In addition to job opportunity, I added a journalism major out of sheer enjoyment of learning and writing, especially on topics of social justice. Due to the inclusion of the Journalism Major, I will need to take 18 credits each semester for the remaining 4 semesters. Although this will be challenging, I have confidence that I will be able to succeed.

Adding to the challenges of taking 18 credits per semester, I will be missing a few weeks of classes to donate the left lobe of my liver to my ill niece. She has a rare liver disease called Biliary Atresia where her liver is underdeveloped and is unable to let poisonous bile pass through her body. Because of this, she is experiencing liver failure and needs a transplant within the next 4 months. I will attempt to complete these few weeks online and make up what can't be done online once I have recovered enough to return to the University. I hope to do well in this course and to develop my writing skills as a future journalist.