The OICB Radio & TV Career Tips Blog

A Dream Realized/ 5 Minutes with a Successful Graduate

It doesn't take more than a few minutes to be infected with the enthusiam of someone who is living each day with the knowledge that they alone have the power to grab a dream and make it their reality.

We were able to check in with DaVida Branch, a Chicago graduate, to find out what her life has been like since graduation.

"The world of Broadcasting is so wonderful! The reward of putting a smile on someone's face while being yourself is unexplainable. I have been in broadcasting for quite some time now and I am glad I decided to take that step to get here. As a graduate from ICB, (class of 09). I have learned so many things and have met many great individuals along the way.

Passion goes a long way and as long as you have that you are bound to shine and enjoy it!

After graduating I knew what I wanted to do and I did it.

I have had the opportunity to work for The Softball Channel, where I met the Chicago Bandits (Jennie French). I created commercials, and even started my own television show. I also do a radio show based on my TV show called Real Talk Radio. The show airs on www.windycityunderground.com. It's tremendous fun being a radio host.

I feel as if I have unlimited opportunities, and who doesn't want that?

This business is hard work and tremendous dedication is involved. It won't always be fun and games. When it's time to work you have to put your best foot forward in order to achieve the highest level of success. It is up to YOU to determine how far you want to go. One of my favorite motivational quotes is: "The only person considered a failure is the one who didn't try" .

We wanted to ask some additional questions to find out exactly when her dream of working in broadcasting materialized.

ICB: Why is this industry your passion?

DaVida: I have always had the drive to be a people person. I started young by being involved in a lot of social activities. I always wanted to be the one in the class to dive in first when it came to addressing the class with a speech. When I looked into broadcasting I knew this would be a perfect fit for me. I wanted to be the voice for people and to encourage them to be themselves and enjoy it.
 
ICB: Why did you choose ICB?

Davida: I chose ICB because I kept hearing the ad on the radio and it felt like every time I heard it, they were talking to me! Although it took me three years, I finally enrolled and was amazed at the opportunities that lied ahead!
 
ICB: What kind of internships did you have? Did you have more than one?

DaVida: I had a very exciting internship in promotions and camera production for the Softball Channel.  I learned so much and it was hard work, but so worth it. We would go out and cover The Chicago Bandits, (Jennie French) in Elgin every weekend during the summer.  
 
ICB: Was there any special person who you felt mentored you along the way?

DaVida: I would say all of my instructors were my mentors. I would contact them outside of class with questions. I think I drove them crazy sometimes, but they were wonderful. 
 
OCB: Did you land your first job before or after graduation?

DaVida: I created my own television show, Real Talk Television, which airs on CANTV as well as Comcast 17 in the northern suburb.  My co-host is the co-founder.  We travel all over, and attend many events discussing crazy topics or whatever is requested, while interviewing people and getting their opinions.  We also host a radio ahow titled Real Talk Radio on windycityunderground.com on Wednesday nights.
 
ICB:  Aside from your favorite motivational phrase, what would be the one piece of advice you’d give anyone considering a career in broadcasting? 

DaVida: Hardwork and Dedication will take you a long way.

If you're ready to make your dream of working in broadcasting a reality, schedule a tour to visit one of our schools today!

Mayor Rahm Emanuel visits ICB Chicago

Illinois Center for Broadcasting Chicago Campus student Jessica Guido internviews Mayor Rahm Emanuel about his current educational initiatives.

By Bill Natale
Executive Director - Chicago Campus
natale.b@beonair.com

The Illinois Center for Broadcasting (ICB), Chicago Campus was honored on Monday, November 7, 2011 with the visit of Mayor Rahm Emmanuel.

On January 16, 2011, Mayor Michael B. Hancock will grace our Denver campus with his presence.

Mayors in major cities such as Denver and Chicago get thousands of requests each year from corporations, organizations and schools (elementary, secondary and post-secondary institutions) for a visit from the CEO of the city. 

So why are these visits so significant?

Like the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval that marketers vie to acquire for their product, a Mayoral visit provides credibility that is not easy to come by. 

In the case of the Chicago Campus, it took several petitions, some requests made in person at public events (literally approaching the Mayor as he entered or left a venue) and some made in writing to get his Honor to consider a request to visit our institution.  Once we had the Mayor’s attention, his press attaché and scheduling teams requested materials (print and, in our case, video) regarding the purpose and mission of ICB.  In the materials we sent, it didn’t hurt that esteemed Congressman Danny Davis, Secretary of State Jesse White and State Senator Kirk Dillard provided remarks of praise for the curriculum and program of the Ohio/Illinois Centers for Broadcasting.  

Once gaining a “green light” for consideration of an actual visit, we still had to undergo an inspection of the campus by the advance team for security, press exposure and other considerations.   

Initially, the Mayor was scheduled to appear as a commencement speaker for our October 26 graduation ceremony for our January Days Classes of Chicago and Lombard campuses.   Unfortunately, the Mayor had to cancel that appearance at the last minute, which is not unusual when dealing with such high a high profile public official.  We were elated when the Mayor’s team called immediately after that cancellation to see if a visit could be rescheduled.

And so on the afternoon of Monday, November 7, ICB was pleased to have Mayor Rahm Emanuel greet our students in the audio studios at La Salle; ask them about their projects; address a class about the importance of staying in school and learn about the marketable skills that we teach at the college.  To the Mayor’s credit, he apologized publicly during his time with us for not making the visit on October 26^th.  

It is truly an honor and a “seal of approval” that both the Chicago and Denver campuses had their Mayors, within a span of only a few months, take time from their incredibly busy schedules to see why we are the place where broadcasting careers begin.