The first class offered in the program is Media Literacy and Research Methodologies. I had the opportunity to learn about the proper way to approach researching and gathering information on a variety of topics. This course teaches ways to spot unprofessional information being published and presented as fact. This is obviously very important to begin with, as you cannot build a solid company based on information that is skewed to support a single point of view or opinion. This course points out the importance of not only having a variety of sources for information, but also the importance of knowing where the information is coming from. I spend a large portion of this class researching information about what is required to develop a new company.
The next course in the program is
known as Executive Leadership. Focusing on the structure of modern businesses,
the material presented points out the key basics to becoming an effective
leader in any organization. Introducing the students to computer programs like
Keynote, Executive Leadership provides students with the tools to present
themselves and their ideas in the upmost professional manner. This course gives
students their first glance into what it takes to lead a competitive company in
today’s industry. During my time in Executive Leadership I would spend a lot of
time working on my personal leadership habits in order to lead a new organization
to the best of my ability. This would also be my first introduction to the
Keynote computer program; I would quickly develop a passion for the program and
the various tools it had to offer.
Project and Team Management is the
following class in the degree program. This class focuses on ensuring that each
student is comfortable working in a team-based environment. Among many other
things presented in the course, students are required to gather into teams to
discuss the business plan ideas. Being that the basis for my initial business
plan was to help students of Full Sail University, many students in my class
seemed to have a positive reaction to the idea. However during one of our
required team meetings in the class, a fellow student pointed out that as much
as I may want to, I wouldn’t be able to help every student that graduates from
Full Sail University. In the team meeting the idea was developed to create a
student organization that would have a requirements for admittance. This would provide
the opportunity to observe and gage the various student performances prior to
inviting them to work with our group. Using the information I had learned in
the previous months I began to research student organizations while working to develop one. Very
quickly the opportunities provided by fraternal organizations came to the
forefront. It was then I realized the advantages of working in teams. Since it
was not my idea that would lead me to this path I have a great deal of
respect for the teachers of this class, my classmates, and all of their
creative ideas.
The following class is known as
Business Storytelling and Brand Development. With a strong passion and
disposition for drawing, painting, and design I could be considered somewhat of
a traditional artist. Naturally this class was one that would speak to my core
while helping progress our group’s vision. This class focused in on the key
element of developing a brand for our organization. Entering the class I was
primary only thinking about logo development, however thought the course of
this class I was shown how a brand is much more than just a logo. The brand of
a company reaches into every aspect of operation and is what tells the story of
your business. During this class I was able to see how true this fact was and
how a brand was built into the different aspects of businesses. Using the
knowledge from the previous classes our student society developed an initial
business plan. We then sent the business plan to the extension department of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Shortly after our group began working with the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity; SAE is currently the largest social
fraternity in the United States. Working with the fraternity it was easy to see
the various teachings of Business Storytelling and Brand Development used in a
very effective manner.
The next class in the program is
Entertainment Business Finance. Covering topics from daily operations to startup
funds, this class takes an in-depth look into the finances of running or
developing a business. There are various avenues and ways to establish a new
business; in entertainment business finance we covered the various tax benefits
of each avenue available. It was during this month that I also had the
opportunity to meet the President of Full Sail University in the hallway.
Taking the opportunity to set up a one on one meeting with Mr. Garry Jones, I
was able to present our initial business plan for developing a fraternal
organization at Full Sail University. After our meeting and reviewing our
student’s efforts, Mr. Garry Jones was kind enough to write a letter of
recommendation on behalf of our organization to specific members of Full Sail University's administration.
The following class in the
Entertainment Business Masters Degree Program is Negotiation and Deal-Making. This
class is heavily oriented around the various laws and regulations pertaining to
business operations. Dealing with the different aspects of arbitration and
mediation, students are asked to mediate and take part in the various roles of
negotiating. Developing contracts in class, all mediations that took part in
class help develop the confidence in the students to handle these situations in
the real world.
The next class in the program is
Product and Artist Management. This class is primarily oriented around the
development of being an artist’s manager. Developing projects to promote
artists and their events, the students learn to various aspects involved in
hosting these events. From setting up concerts and other large events to
meeting the individual needs of high profile entertainment artists, being a
manager is a job that absolutely requires the ability to multitask. It was also
during this class that our student society was recognized as an Interest Group
of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, becoming formally known as the Florida
Omega Society.
The following month I would take a
leave of absence from Full Sail University. Our group was invited to
attend Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s 77th Annual John O. Moseley Leadership School. During leadership school our members would attend seminars and classes
that would focus on fundraising, chapter management, accountability, and other
advanced strategies of running a fraternity. Having the opportunity to learn from members and leaders
within the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, we could not be more grateful for
the honor to work with and get to know some of the brothers and
operations of this prestigious organization.
Upon returning to Full Sail University I entered Advanced Entertainment Law. This class takes an in-depth
look into the various legal aspects of working with or developing a business.
During this class students have the opportunity to learn the various ways to
utilize the legal system in any organization. From the definition of the
individual organization themselves to the opportunities they offer, this class
covers the many differences between LLC, S & C Corporations, as well as
non-profit organizations.
Entertainment Media Publishing and
Distribution is the next class in the program. This class covers the
professional development and opportunities provided by social media. Using these
new networking and media outlets to benefit your business, students learn about
becoming their own publisher. There are a vast variety of avenues to produce
and distribute material from for individual organizations. Developing projects
for a mock publishing project, I learned about the best available opportunity to
promote a company’s productions through social media as well as publishing companies.
During
Digital Marketing our class learned about the importance of a company’s online
presence. The class taught new computer programs like Adobe Illustrator to
develop company logo designs. After learning this computer program the students were
taught the best way too not only promote their organization but how to measure
the effectiveness of their online marketing. Using the data provided through
various websites, students would optimize blogs and websites for Internet
search engines. It was during this class, on October 14th 2012, that
our fraternity voted to remain independent from the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity
in order to best serve the students in our local community. This date will
eternally be known as the founding date of the Chi Epsilon Omega Fraternity. Having
a thorough understanding of why our fraternity felt the need to take action, we still maintain a positive
relationship with many members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
The next
class in the program is called Business Plan Development. It is during this
class that students must rely on the research skills developed during their
first class. Using all of the assets now available each student will begin to
compile the information required for developing a professional business plan. Through
out the course of the class students’ study the choices made by investors
similar to those featured on ABC’s television show “Shark Tank.” It is in
Business Plan Development that students are given the opportunity to completely
dive into the information directly relating to their individual business plans.
The final
class in the Entertainment Business Masters Degree Program is known as Final
Project: Business Plan. During this class our students learn the most
professional way to develop their business plans. Taking into account all of
their previous training, students are required to present the business plans in
a variety of forms for critiquing. Students will first present their businesses
financials and written business plans for approval before progressing to formal
presentation of their businesses. The primary instructor of the course has
previously worked for the New York Stock Exchange, Charles Schwab, Dean Witter,
and currently votes for the Grammy Awards in a variety of categories. Our instructor compiles a panel of University instructors for the students to
present their business plans to. It is during this class that students learn to
present not only themselves but also their business plans in a professional
manner.
During the
course of my time in my Masters Degree, I have had the opportunity to be a part
of one of the most elite Universities in the country. While attending Full Sail University I have had the honor of meeting and working with some of the most
experienced and qualified instructors in education to date. I have also been
blessed enough to be able to work with one of the most prestigious and the
single largest and fraternal organizations in the country, while having the opportunity to build lifelong relationships with my brothers in the Chi Epsilon Omega fraternity. As I progress
forward with my career, my only hope is that I will be able to share my
experiences with other students to help make their experience as memorable as my own. I would like to thank you for taking the time to read
about my experiences, and I would like to encourage everyone to explore to
opportunities available to them at Full Sail University.
If you are a student at Full Sail University and you are interested in the opportunities provided by joining a Greek Letter Organization, you can e-mail us at ceofraternity@gmail.com or you can simply follow the links to our fraternity's webpages listed below.
CEO Facebook
CEO Twitter
CEO Website
If you are a student at Full Sail University and you are interested in the opportunities provided by joining a Greek Letter Organization, you can e-mail us at ceofraternity@gmail.com or you can simply follow the links to our fraternity's webpages listed below.
CEO Facebook
CEO Twitter
CEO Website
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ReplyDeleteI had a great experience during my master's program at Full Sail University. I am a part of a fraternity called Chi Epsilon Omega that is comprised entirely by Full Sail Students and Alumni. Once we are further established we are looking to expand online to offer the fraternity experience to online students. Keep in touch and let us know how your online schooling is and hopefully we will be able to further connect with you.
DeleteGiven the nature of the opening comments, I was expecting your article to end by informing readers whether or not you found a job with this particular Masters program. Did you? I am interested in attending Full Sail.
ReplyDeleteI have found work through various brothers/pledges family members of our fraternity. I have also received call backs in other areas of work that I am currently not entertaining due to my passion for our fraternity. I have focused my attention on developing our network as well as preparing to approach investors/VC's to develop housing for our membership. I truly believe in what our fraternity has to offer the students of Full Sail University and we aim to make it not only a memorable but unique experience from what any other Greek Organization has to offer. I have learned and been able to pursue my dream because of the programs I have taken at Full Sail. The Entertainment Business Program offered more than I could have hoped for and I would encourage you to pursue your passion at Full Sail. On a more personal note, if you are able to attend Full Sail feel free to reach out and connect with the brothers of XEΩ or any member of the Greek Council when you get there. I know everyone would be more than happy to get to know you a bit and help you to feel more at home once you are able to get there. Orlando may be a big area but joining a fraternity/sorority will provide you with a family in your new hometown to rely on.
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ReplyDeletei am very interested in attending this program at full sail, and have actually met someone who is doing this program, online though. but how do i know this is real and not someone hired by the school. i am very interested and im actually thinking of beginning in the September start....
ReplyDeletewhere are you working currently?
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