Kelli

Is The Economy Pushing More Students Towards Graduate School

2009-03-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

With the economy being so bad lately, and the reports of numerous layoffs and hiring freezes, it led me to wonder how many college students are looking at graduate school as a possibility to buy time.
Students who are graduating soon may feel a little overwhelmed, as I am, at the thought of not being able to find a job. I know that throughout my college years, I always knew it would be hard, especially in my field of Journalism, but I always figured I would find a position that I could start out in and work my way up to a position that I have always dreamed of. However, now I don’t know if I will even be able to find a job of any type.
While I have never thought of graduate school before, I now find that I am finding more and more people say, “Have you ever thought about going through graduate school?” This is driving me crazy. No, it’s never crossed my mind before and really, I want to go through more school no more than I want a pencil shoved in my eye.
I always dreamed of this time in my life where I could say, “I’m finished! I stuck to it, and I made it!” and now I have people telling me to go through graduate school to buy time. That’s not really an option for me because I am completely ready to starting working. I mean what happens if I go through graduate school and the economy still isn’t better? I would be 25 and just getting out of school with no experience, and more in debt with jobs still unavailable, not to mention, some employers may think that I would be over-qualified.
This idea doesn’t seem appealing to me but I was curious as to how many other people may be concerned about finding a job and considering furthering their career through graduate school.
“I am very worried about finding a job when I graduate college. I am supposed to graduate in December and have already pushed that back. I could have graduated this June but am buying more time. I am thinking about graduate school but am not really sure what to do! Honestly I would even take a babysitting position full time if I can't find a job, its just a scary market no one is hiring, especially in our field. I feel like so many more people are more qualified as well because I have no camera skills or any idea how to do final cut pro etc. I think the economy has really impacted me and my attitude towards finding a job,” says Rachel Plowden
Eric Lose who is already on the path to obtaining a doctorate says, “I am finishing my doctorate, and along with the degree comes massive student loan debt. The doctorate is necessary to get a college teaching job, but right now almost every college colleges has a hiring freeze. I am screwed, adjunct work pays less than McDonalds, but that's about all I can get right now. I am totally screwed for the time being.”
David Barnhorn, a senior says, “I am graduating at the end of the quarter and the economy has totally reshaped my plans. When the economy started hurting I wasn't worried and I continued to plan on taking the year off and working some. Luckily I went through all the prep to apply to law school still because the economy became very scary, very quickly. I decided to start law school fall 2009 and have been accepted. If I were going into the journalism market now, I would be scared to death. The market is extremely rough, papers are closing, layoffs are everywhere and no one knows where its going. Journalism skills also seem limited to writing, which is taking a hit everywhere; news, books, everything. I am definitely not going to law school to kill time until the economy gets better, but it did push me into it sooner than I might have intended.”
So, whether your thinking about grad school or not, there is no denying that the job market is slim and very competitive for all. Hopefully this downward spiral will start to get better for the sake of all the millions of people nationwide who have lost their jobs, and for the new graduates stepping out into the workforce for the very first time.

Sex Offender Kills 13-year-old Esme Kenney

2009-03-10T19:56:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, March 7, 2009, young Esme Kenney,13, went out for a jog near her Winton Woods home but never returned. Her body was found later that evening. She had been strangled by someone who had tried to sexually assault her.
Anthony Kirkland, 40, was found that same evening near the woods and was taken in for questioning. He is now being held for allegedly killing Kenney that fateful night.
Kirkland, a repeated felon, had been living in the Pogue Rehabilitation Center, located on West McMicken Avenue, but was released on February 27th after he got into a fight with another resident. This rehabilitation center currently houses 62 sex offenders, according to WCPO.
Kirkland had previously served 16 years in prison for beating Leola Douglas and then setting her on fire-she later died from her injuries.
Along with Douglas, there have now been questions as to whether he is the one responsible for three other deaths of women who were killed in the same manner. Authorities are currently investigating this possibility.
But how can this man, who has been charged in the death of one woman and has served time in prison for numerous other violent crimes be free on the streets?
The Pogue Rehabilitation Center is located in the middle of a large city and is near many schools and neighborhoods, but yet this is where many sex offenders are housed together.
This topic raises issues as to how sexual offenders should be kept away from the unsuspecting residents.
Since the death of Esme Kenney, most of the Cincinnati City Council members are asking for Gov. Ted Strickland to close the center.
Unfortunately, most of the public probably had no idea this center even existed (I know I didn't), and so this tragic death of a child comes as such a surprise. But how is it that all of these sex offenders can be housed up together and expected to stay out trouble? Is it that there is not enough money to be able to keep these sick individuals locked up somewhere and so they have to be trusted to live in the middle of a big city with many children, where they can easily prey upon innocent victims just as Kennedy did?
This is just a terrible way to have had awareness brought to the problem of sexual predators within neighborhoods.
Esme Kenney was a young girl with a very promising future ahead of her. She was a 7th grader at the School For Creative And Performing Arts (SCPA) where she had many friends who adored her, along with her family who will miss her very much.
This poor child had her life taken away from her way too soon and the people affected by her death will never forget how this may have been prevented had Mr. Kirkland still been in prison, doing time for all the violent crimes he has committed.

Are we Drugging our Kids with ADD Medications?

2009-02-24T16:39:00.000-08:00

Today it seems as though there have been more cases of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) than ever before. I know I see commercials all the time about new and improved medications that can be used to treat ADD, but is it worth it? Do the pros really outweigh the negatives when placing a child on such a strong medication?
Many of the drugs used to treat ADD have very serious side effects like: dizziness, nausea, weight loss, loss of appetite, depression, and anxiety. In addition, many common drugs for ADD (such as Ritalin, Methylphenidate, Cylert), which have the same Class 2 classification as cocaine and morphine. So, is this really a safe way to treat ADD in children? I mean, I know that parents are probably concerned about their children and want them to be able to improve in school by paying better attention and concentrating more but are they willing to risk their child's health just to have them get better grades?
Damon Hafner is a tenth grader who was placed on Strattera at an early age and has seen the dramatic effects it has had, physically and emotionally. His teachers told Suzanne that he suffered from ADD because he was not concentrating at school and was not completing his work. Immediately she thought, “How can this be, he isn’t a problem at all. He’s a good kid”.
Right away, the doctors wanted to place him on either Concerta or Strattera even though he had never been given an Individual Education Plan Test (IEP), which is the test given to diagnose a learning disability in children.
After much debate, Suzanne decided to go ahead and place Damon on Dexedrine. She saw an immediate change in Damon. “He had a tremendous loss in appetite, became more moody, and still was not able to finish his school work”.
Even though these medications are being prescribed to children in order to help them concentrate at school, it is astounding to find that these drugs can sometimes cause serious issues in children who are still developing. Strattera is an FDA approved non-stimulant medication but yet the FDA sent out an advisory for the warning signs to be aware of. The FDA reported:
-Strattera increases the risk of suicidal thinking in children and adolescents with ADHD.
-Anyone considering the use of Strattera in a child or adolescent for ADHD must balance the increased risk of suicidal thinking with the clinical need for the drug.
-Patients who are started on therapy should be observed closely for clinical worsening, suicidal thinking or behaviors, or unusual changes in behavior.
-Families and caregivers should be advised to closely observe the patient and to communicate changes concerning behaviors with the prescriber. (fda.gov/cder/drug/advisory/atmoxetime.htm
This is just one example of a drug that could have serious implications. All of the ADD medications have very serious side effects that could result in huge changes among young children who are still developing.
I think this is just sad that we are resorting to drugging our children with these dangerous medications instead of taking the time to find a more helpful way for these students to learn. Many people learn in many different ways, that's just human nature. But let's first try to help these kids in a healthy more hands-on approach before we take risks with these dangerous medications. Drugs are already a huge problem across the world so I think it would be best if we kept these medications to a minimum.

Octuplet Mother Outrage

2009-02-15T15:49:00.000-08:00

In January, Nadya Suleman,33, gave birth to octuplets in California. At first everyone seemed excited about the new babies and were curious to learn more about the very proud mother. Only after the media got ahold of the story did the details really come out. Everyone then got to see the true motives this woman had, which in the end, set off much outrage across the globe.
Nadya already had six other children, three of which were special needs children. She then got impregnated again with six more embryos which turned out to be eight. All of these pregnancies were the result of In Vitro Fertilization. Nadya is neither married or in a relationship with anyone.
Scrutiny over the new mother came after the world found out, through records that Nadya is single, unemployed, living at home with her parents, and receiving food stamps and child disability payments.
It's not that I am against In Vitro Fertilization for women who can't have children or chose to get pregnant without a man in their life, however this woman already had six children that she clearly could not afford and then she went and had eight more. It just seems too outrageous to me that a woman who is getting help from the government and taxpayers is able to do this.
She is in pursuit of a master's degree at California State University, where she has already obtained a degree in child care development, all of which has been free to her.
So, this tells me that because this woman is irresponsible and had so many children without having adequate income, all of her school is payed for because she is a single mother. This truly bothers me because it shows that if you are responsible and do not get pregnant before your finished with school, you are punished in a way and are forced into debt the second you graduate. If you are a single mother, you are off free and clear with a free education.
Now if this woman truly needed the extra help, "for her children" then why in the world has she admitted to having lip injections and manicures? I know I don't have the money for things like that (not that I would want to) but that's not the point. I don't have that type of extra money because I am paying for my own school.d
This woman just completely infuriates me to no end because it just shows how irresponsible she is. She has put her own feelings ahead of her children by having eight more. She is clearly in it for the extra benefits she is getting from the government. Not to mention, she is asking for at least $2 million for each interview. That is so disgusting to me. She is exploiting herself and her children just to gain a ton of money.

How is the Economy Affecting You?

2009-02-14T12:41:00.000-08:00

With the economy being in a downward spiral recently, it is no wonder that college students are no exception to the affects that it is having on everyone. College is already expensive, and most students help to pay for their own tuition and work while their in school. Now, prices are rising, companies are having layoffs, and employers are even cutting back hours to try and save themselves from this gloomy era we have now entered.
Now, with these hard times, many students are finding that they are being forced to cut back on the things they love and are used to in order to survive and still be able to afford college.
Amy-Renee Stevens was under the impression that her schooling would be paid for by her parents with the help of the stock market. Unfortunately, she and her family were not able to forecast the downturn of the market. “If the stocks had continued in the up rise as they were in the 90's I would have 156,000 dollars in my college fund... Instead I have 36,000. I have had to apply for loans, but since FAFSA goes off the year before's taxes there was no help there. In order to still afford tuition I have moved back in with my parents, am trying to find someone to fill my apt, got a job, and don't enjoy any of the luxuries I once did,” says Amy.
As a result, Amy has now been picking up more hours than she ever has in order to save money for her own schooling.
Like Amy, other students from the University of Cincinnati are also finding themselves cutting back, even if that means cutting back at school. Amanda Woodruff says, “Driving/parking is overrated and unnecessary not too mention overly priced. By not parking my car at UC for class I save about $800 a year which is two months rent or four and half months worth of groceries.”
When gas prices rose, it really made people feel pain at the pump and thus, many people took the same approach that Amanda did and cut back on their driving and transportation means.
Although cutting back on your fuel intake is one way to save money, many other college students are cutting back in every little way they can. Jeff Geiser said, “I try not to spend money on things I can live without. Lately I've been packing my lunch and try to only eat what I bought at the grocery store. If I want to go out drinking on the weekends, I usually will pregame a lot this way I don't spend as much money at the bar.”
So, when it comes to the problems that people are facing with the economy and their money situations (or lack there of), know that you are not alone. Guesses are that it has affected you or someone you know. All I can say is that hopefully things get better soon, for all of us.

Is the Economy Pushing People Over the Edge?

2009-01-27T15:12:00.000-08:00

It seems as though the economic downfall has had an effect on everyone recently. More and more people have found themselves cutting back on little things that they used to not think twice about, like eating out on their lunch breaks or stopping for that Cappacino in the morning. Many businesses and corporations have had to resort to laying off employees, giving pay cuts, or even offering early retirement to ease their hardships.
With these difficult times, it is clear that everyone seems to be suffering somewhat but to what extent? Over the past few years I think it's astonishing how many people have resorted to hurting themselves or even their family members out of desperation to escape it all and to "save themselves".
Fox news recently reported on a story where a family of 7 was found shot dead in their California home. Apparently, Ervin Lupoe was so distraught over he and his wife losing their jobs as medical technicians in a Los Angeles medical center, that he took the lives of his family members and then himself.
His children were an 8-year-old girl, twin 5-year-old girls, and twin 2-year-old boys.
Although this is a devastating story, it brings light to how serious the economy is affecting individuals across the globe. It comes as an example of what kind of a toll the economy is having on some of the unemployed workers who, sadly, are resorting to violence, feeling that there is no other options.
Even though the world is suffering in a major economical way, it is sad that there has been such a rise in violence among families who feel that it is their only option out.
I just can't believe it every time I hear a story reported like this because I can't imagine being so distraught and overwhelmed that I would want to take any of my loved ones' lives.
These times may be hard but it is affecting everyone and there is always help out there for anyone. There are ways out and people should really pull together and lend helping hands to the ones most affected so that we will not have to hear about these devastating stories anymore.

Presidential Campaigns

2007-11-15T07:51:00.000-08:00

I'll be honest. I hate hearing about the presidential campaigns and everything that goes with it. One thing that drives me crazy is the commercials. I think it is awful how they try to bash each other into the ground to make themselves look better. They dig up things from peoples' past and then exploit it all over television. I don't see how it makes them look better to put their opponents down like that. It's just a sick way to try and get to the top.
Along with the commercials, I also hate how the media constantly talks about it over and over again. I honestly don't keep up on the presidential campaign. And probably because of these reasons. By the time the election date rolls around, I'm so sick of hearing about it that I just want it to be over with.
The talk shows like the O'Reily Factor drive me nuts because they tend to be so opinionated and think that their candidate of choice is the only right way to go. This drives me crazy because I don't really care to constantly hear about everyone else's opinions on issues. Maybe once in awhile, but not all the time.
Basically, I already can't wait for it to be over with.

What's really important to the media?

2007-11-07T19:01:00.000-08:00

One thing that drives me crazy about the media is that it seems they focus more on the celebrities and what's going on in their screwed up lives than on the subjects that really need to be addressed. One celebrity in particular is Britney Spears. I am so sick of hearing about her and her latest public outcry for attention. She along with Lindsey Lohan are two figures that the public hear way too much about.
In my opinion, I think there should be less of a focus on the irresponsible figures for the young people in the world and more of a focus on the serious issues that need to be addressed. Issues like: third world countries and the problems they are facing, the environmental issues that need some attention (extinction of animals, etc.), lives still being lost from the war, and the millions of children who are starving because they don't have any food and don't even have a home.
These are the issues that the public needs to hear about. Maybe then, there would be more people awakened to what is really going on in the world. The TV is filled with shows about celebrities and gossip about their lives but is that really important? I mean what do people get out of that for their own lives-nothing.
Kids growing up today are so brainwashed with everything in the media, like what your supposed to look like or what your supposed to wear. These children are looking up to the wrong figures and are going to lack the realistic direction in their life because they think that they should act as their favorite celebrity and if they act out it's ok.
It just really irritates me that there is such a focus on things of unimportance these days. I mean is this really the kind of thing that needs to be blasted over the TV everyday? It's irrelevant to the everday Americans life. What is relevant are the issues that are truly affecting people around the world and the truth is that something can be done about it.
Instead of focusing on Britney, Paris, and Lindsey, why doesn't the media turn their attention to the celebrities who are truly trying to make a difference and doing good for the people?

The strength of a Reporter

2007-10-24T17:47:00.000-07:00

In the wake of the wild fires of California, I have chosen to write about the reporter who's house was destroyed. I'm not sure of the man's name but I do know that the firefighters evacuated all of his neighborhood, including him because it was in the fire's path. Once the officials gave the ok for the residents to go see if their house was still standing, he still took to his job as a reporter and went in with a microphone in his hand.
It was heartbreaking to see his reaction to his destroyed home. He said, "On any other given day, I would say, "welcome to my home." Unfortunately this is all that is left".
I was amazed to see how strong he was during the whole ordeal. If it were me, I don't know that I would be able to remain composed and be able to still go on air. He basically saw what was left of his home in front of millions of people watching the news.
I feel that he probably knew that he had to show all of America how severe this fire truly is, however I think that it was one instance where I would draw the line. Once a story becomes personal, it takes on a whole other angle.
I give him a lot of respect for what he did. I'm not sure how others would have handled the situation if it where them.

My Blog about Blogging

2007-10-17T18:42:00.000-07:00

First of all, let me start out by saying that I am not a big fan of blogging--at all. I think that blogging is completely taking over every one's computers and Internet searches. I get so frustrated when I get on the computer to find out about a certain topic and then all of a sudden, I am overloaded with a ton of blogs that have nothing to do with what I'm searching about. The Blog may contain one word from my search and from that I am then bombarded by every ones opinions on the topic.
It's not like I didn't give blogging a chance, because I did. It took me a long time to even be able to obtain my own blog, which was highly frustrating. I can't tell you how many times I have forgotten my user name and password. Even through all of the frustration I thought maybe I would be able to get used to it. I am sorry to say that I haven't. I am now one of "them".
I feel that blogs are for people who are just dying to get their opinion out there. They feel that their voice has to be heard. I can somewhat understand this, however, I don't care to read others' opinions when all I'm trying to do is find legit information when doing an Internet search.
Now that I'm am part of the "blogoshere", I guess I have to just get used to it and realize that it does come in good use for certain aspects of the media. I think blogs are a good way for the media to get peoples opinions on certain issues (if they post it on their own website).
I guess I am now finished ranting about how much I dislike blogging for now.
Now, I hope I don't receive a ton of comments from the "pro blogging team" to inform me on how wrong I am.

Connecticut Post

2007-10-04T08:07:00.000-07:00

My opinion on the Connecticut Post goes like this....
I feel very strongly that the names and details of the jurors should not have been released to the public. There could have been information released about them but their names should never have been released.
In a case so severe as this, it is very possible that the advocates on both sides could possibly retaliate on the jurors if the outcome doesn't turn out the way they would like to. I fear that the victims families could turn on the jurors if Mr. Peeler is not prosecuted and sentenced to death as they feel he should. On the other hand, if Mr. Peeler is convicted and put to death his family and friends wouldn't be satisfied and they too could retaliate.
This is such a strong subject for both familes so I feel that the jurors names should never have been released, especially with their occupations and area they are located. With this information, anyone could find out where they live and come after them. This is the type of information I personally, would never want to get out about myself because you become vulnerable to all the crazies in the world. In this case, there would be many people upset with the jurors no matter which conclusion they come to. Either way they go, someone is not going to be happy with their decision.
I can't believe they would list that type of information about the jurors just because I too, would never want that information released about me to anyone. The world has become too dangerous to give out everyone's personal information. Now I sound way too old but it's true. There is way to much violence and craziness going on.

About Me

2007-09-26T21:15:00.000-07:00

My name is Kelli Ives. I am currently a Senior at UC studying Journalism in the hopes of becoming a News Broadcaster. I have always dreamnt of being on the news but actually started out wanting to become a Meteorologist. Once I realized how much Science and Math went into that profession, I just chose to be a Broadcaster instead.
I would probably classify myself as a news-junkie. I love to watch the news and catch up on the current events whenever I get a chance. It's like an addiction to me. I have to know what is going on and all the details, except I focus mainly on the tri-state news.
When I have time away from school and work, I like to do many things. I love to go to the gym and get in a good work-out, (which I do almost everyday). I like to read, take pictures, go boating, travel around the world, and hang out with my family. Although I like to try to get time to do these things, it rarely happens-I'm way to busy. I did, however get a break from school this summer to travel to Norway and Sweden. That trip was life-changing and something I will never forget. I got to see so many beautiful things and seen how other cultures live compared to Americans. I took way too many picures just like a crazy tourist.
Some issues that are important to me and I think need more attention are the issues relating to animal abuse and bullying in the schools. I would like it if there were more harsh charges on animal abusers and more attention brought to it period so that maybe people could see how too frequent it occurs and maybe pull together to do something about it.
I feel the same way about bullying in schools. It happens on a regular basis and something needs to be done about it. There are children who live with the fear of going to school or being made fun of because of bullies. Children these days are so scared to go to school that they get depressed and withdrawn from society which can lead to some serious affects later in life. There are way too many cases where kids have committed suicide because of being made fun of and to me this is absolutely horrifying and needs to be stopped by bringing more attention to the issue.
This is just a little bit of info. about me. I hope this is a good start to a little insight about who I am.