Being a development communicator is not an easy job, especially when you are just starting out as one. That is why here are some backpack essentials that a development communicator-in-training should always carry to do his/her job.
Phone and earphones
These tools are both for recording the data we need to get. Whether audio or video recording, you could never go wrong with a handy phone you can bring anywhere and earphones that has a mic to keep up with the interviewee’s speaking voice.
Laptop
Basically a college essential and a devcomm student’s bestfriend. Every paperwork, transcript and editing can be made easier using a laptop.
Umbrella
Even if this is actually a need one must never forget when you are studying in Elbi, devcomm students more so! With the fieldworks assigned to the program we are in, the places we go to in order to gather the information we need, we must always be ready with what the heavens decided to throw to us(like rain).
Pen and Paper
Though there were already applications in our mobile phones where we can take note of what we need to remember and stuff, nothing beats the original of writing your thoughts using pen and paper. There is just something stimulating when you write that you cannot get when you type.
Storage Device
Of course, when we have information, we need something to store it with so that we have a safe place to keep our back-up and extra copies. Here comes storage devices like USB and hard drives. “
Category: Week 04
The best shortcut is to know there isn’t one.
A development communication student is many things; they are a writer, a speaker, an active community member, and sometimes a struggler. They encounter hardships and trials that will take them out of their comfort zones and bring them face to face with the world and its problems. Here, I will talk about 5 things development communication students should have.
The first tip I can give is that you need to steel yourself. Development communication is not an easy course, and the tasks that you will undertake will challenge you in many new ways. Prepare yourself for sleepless nights on the first month and a blinking cursor on a blank paper for many times to come. These are parts of the journey that will always be with you.
Secondly, you need to have enthusiasm for reading. To write well is to read well; expose yourself to many types and styles of literature and it will shape you as a writer. It will shine through your style of writing, and how deep your pool of knowledge is on several topics.
Following that up, you can’t just say “no”. You need to have a go-getter attitude especially in UP’s Devcom course. If you aren’t adept at talking to people and getting to know them and their environment, if you aren’t into reading boring and long texts, you have no choice but to tackle them. You will get used to it the more you say yes to the act, just keep on keeping on.
Aside from these, you should have technical know-how on writing and many important editing softwares. You are both a media writer living in the age of the internet where audio-visual stimuli is the key to capturing audiences. Crafting well-made articles and visuals to complement these is essential to making sure you succeed in university and the industry.
Finally, you should have the mindset that there are no shortcuts. Easy data is not good data, and the same goes for the quality of education and work. There are things in the course where you won’t be able to find on google so easily and certain things that require arduous amounts of research and study. You have to go through all of these, but it will be worth it. They are meant to mold you into an amazing product of passion, hardship and determination that ultimately only you can create. Godspeed, development communicators.
Buhay Devcom: Lifehack Series #1
As a development communicator-in-training, we should always be prepared. Here are the things that can help you.
Mobile phone is the most essential device a development communicator-in-training should have. It is useful in audio and video recording during an interview and can save important files. It will also keep you updated in current development-oriented related issues and can be used in online discussions.
A laptop is also an essential tool for a DevCom student. A substitute for pen and notebook since it is handy. We can use this in writing and editing news articles, audios and videos. It can also serve as a storage device.
We should not only save important files in your phone and laptops. It is useful when you forgot to bring your laptop and you need to access the data you need. If you need to clear some space in your gadgets, you can transfer it and use flash drive or external drive.
Even though we have our gadgets, we still need a pen and a notebook to take notes of the important information we need. Note taking is one of the media writer skills.
The weather is unpredictable. It will protect you and your stuffs from getting wet and sunburn. You will never know when it’ll rain so bring it you always.
The DEVCOM Must-Haves
It’s kinda funny how the blog description for this write-up says Student Survival Kit. UP students don’t really live, I guess? Kidding.
The journey as a DevCom student is going to be a hell ride, and I am going to need more than what my mind and hands can manage. This is where the DevCom survival tools come in place. These are your essential materials that you will, no doubt, be using when writing your way through the loads of task and activities in the semester.
Call it the Holy Grails of sorts. I honestly can’t finish my tasks efficiently even if at least one is not available to me. I cannot survive without the five. (There, I said it.)
Read on if you want to know my five DevCom must-haves:
Laptop
One thing’s for sure: my laptop costs me my soul. I put this as the first and most important tool because for people like me who are interested in editing, a laptop provides you with the editing and publication software you will need in creating and upgrading your documents or write-ups. Laptops are also portable. If you need to write an article or two on the spot, just put out your laptop and you’re off to writing! Just make sure you bring your charger, because the two are the unspoken package deal.
Earphones/Headphones
Ah, yes. You’ve met your interviewee. You had a great talk. The answers were amazing and informative. Now comes your favorite part.
Transcription.
Your headphones or earphones are your best allies when working with different types of audio or videos. Pro tip: do NOT transcribe without your earphones on. Other than the fact that you will understand the audio better when you use them, be mindful of the noise you can make around you. If you’re in a public area of you have a room mate in your dormitory, do them a favor and listen on your own.
Headphones can also set the mood when you’re on the verge of a mental breakdown due to loads of academic work. Pick a song. Volume up. Ignore everyone around you. (Again, I’m kidding.)
Journal
Am I the only one who keeps buying journals but never uses them anyway because they look too pretty to write in?
For the ones I do use, journals let me keep track of my daily tasks and immediately lets me write down ideas before I forget them. Also, in case you don’t have a laptop with you, you can always write your essays or articles in your journal. (Why would you even leave your laptop?)
I need not say more. You can never go wrong with the classic pen and paper.
Cellphone
This, I guess, was a given. Your cellphones are your best contact devices and as communication students there is the need to be up-to-date with news, announcements, or even the occasional writing tasks. (no, i am not referring to weekly writes.)
Your phone is your all-in-one tool and having it with you, you can already do so many. Have to record an interview? No problem. Need to take a picture? Whip your phone out and you have a camera. Want to write something down? Phones have notepads you can use! The same with your laptops, make sure you have your phones on full charge before you go out or carry a charger or power bank with you.
Storage Device
With mounds and mounds of documents and files slowly filling up your computer storage, you have to put them away somewhere sooner or later. Having an external hard drive, for me, is extremely helpful because I don’t have to worry about deleting important files for the sake of room for storage. Soft wares also take up a lot of MB, even GB. I transfer my installers and other documents with large storage in my external hard drive, and if ever I’ll be needing those files I can just carry the drive along with me.
Most often, you use your flash drives when wanting to print out documents for academic requirements, especially when you don’t have your own printer. I also use my flash drive to print my readings. Of course, readings. Who doesn’t have them?
There you have it. My five must-have items. The tools you will need in DevCom are not limited to these. In fact, it’s different for every one of use. I think, what matters most is that you know what you are doing and you are doing it at your best interest. The rest will only follow.
Essential.
When we think of a T-square, we associate it with architects and engineers. When we see a stethoscope, we immediately think of doctors. There are certain things that we associate with certain professions and that is because these are the objects that they commonly use.
Development Communicators also have their own set of things that they commonly use. A set of tools that you would find inside any competent Development Communicator – the DevCom Starter Pack
1. Mobile Phone
We are fortunate enough to live in an era where mobile phones exist. A pocket-sized piece of technology that offers various useful features. This is the top 1 most used tool of a development communicator. It can be used to record audio, take notes, take pictures, record videos, research online and many other features. Essentially, having a phone is having an entire toolbox in your hand.
2. Laptop
As an extension of the mobile phone, the laptop offers a more comprehensive and conducive interface that every development communicator needs. A significant portion of being a development communication student requires writing, and video/photo editing. Laptops are one of the most popular and convenient devices to where you could accomplish said tasks.
3. Notebook and Ballpen
Technology is in fact vital in our society as everywhere we look, we can see gadgets and devices all around us. This is also true in the field of development communication. However, we must not abandon the old-school tools as these are the most reliable. Technology may be prone to hardware and/or software issues but the trusty pen and paper is not. It is essential to always have a notebook and a ballpen as a development communicator even if you prefer using your gadgets to take notes and write down ideas.
Buhay Devcom: Lifehack Series #1 (Student Survival Kit)
As development communication students, we are trained to manifest the quality of being service-oriented. Our purpose is to provide our audience with the information they need to make the best possible decisions about their lives, their communities, their societies, and their governments. News is the part of communication that keeps us informed of the changing events, issues, and characters happening around us. We, students, are then trained to open the eyes of our audiences and encourage them to do their parts through writing and communicating. To fulfill our roles, here are the top five tools a development communication student must have:
The Must-Have List
I consider my mobile phone as one of my most valuable possession. It allows me to accomplish many things especially as a development communication student. It enables me to capture photos and record audios and videos for my news stories. It also allows me to take notes easily whenever I needed. Imagine how it can make your life easier.
It stores most of my important files and papers that are needed to be passed to our professors. It keeps them clean and neat and it helps prevent any damages from taking place.
In making those more difficult requirements, it is best to use a laptop for it is much easier because of its more advanced features. It is better than smartphones in terms of efficiency and it also makes multitasking easier which are essential for completing multiple requirements.
This plays an essential part for it recharges my mobile phone, one of my most valuable possession, whenever it reaches low battery. What will you do if in case of emergency, your phone died and there are no sockets around? Powerbank to the rescue!
The last but not the least, a pen and a paper. These two are the basic needs of every student entering school. They are essential for quizzes, exams, and note-takings done inside and outside of the classroom. Especially when you are in development communication, many additional information were being stated every lesson and every single one of them is important.
[Buhay Devcom: Lifehack Series #1 (Student Survival Kit)
Back to Basics!
Being a development communication student has its materials needed for working either in academic works or with just anything that can be done under the sun. But one thing is for certain; there will be a lot of activities done through writing.
You may ask “How do I start to write for my works and activities?”
Well, the most probable answer for that is you must get your materials first. It is essential to pack up your devices as you take the road to learning and discovery. For me, the following tools/devices are what I think has helped me in this DevCom journey.
Pen and Paper. This comes as the most basic but the most essential thing in DevCom. For writers, this tool is great for taking notes when electronic devices are not allowed during your interviews or conference reviews. It helps writers to retain information to their memory through writing the data gathered.
Laptop. This device is great in working for your documents and publication materials. Especially with a great editing software, you are able to create your works with fast and ease; as long as your device doesn’t get too bombarded with your works.
Mobile Phone. Just as its name, this device is great for working on-the-go. This device helps to set certain tasks for your daily activities, create the drafts upon your writing works, record different events through audio, photos and videos, and communicate with other people through calls or text. Just don’t let yourself be too occupied with mobile games/apps.
Charger. With the need for better technology comes the need for power or electricity. As writers, always keep in mind that when you use electronic devices, always bring their chargers with them. It would be such a bad time when you see your gadget getting depleted in the middle of your work.
Thumb drives. These are tools that are deem small but mighty. With an insert away from your hardware, these tools bring light in providing more spaces for your digital files. As small storage drives, these tools help writers to easily disseminate files to other people with a click away.
Overall, these tools/devices are what I think that a DevCom student must have for their works in the college life. It may be different for each and everyone but it is important to know that everyone must always go back with the basics to work in life.
[Buhay Devcom: Lifehack Series #1 (Student Survival Kit)
Laptop- Everyone could agree that laptop is one of the most useful tool a media writer should have. It is everyone’s best friend because it can perform a lot of tasks such as typing, editing pictures & videos, web search and a lot more.
Laptop
Everyone could agree that laptop is one of the most useful tool a media writer should have. It is everyone’s best friend because it can perform a lot of tasks such as typing or transcribing interviews, editing pictures & videos, web search and a lot more. The best part about a laptop is its portability. One can basically bring it anywhere and it will be convenient for a writer since they are usually tasked to go different places to cover certain events.
Mobile Phone
The primary purpose of a mobile phone is for communication. However, it has evolved overtime with almost all the feature you will ever need. With the recent apps, your phone can function in many ways you like. It is helpful in taking photos, audio recording, calendar planning, e-notes etc. It is very handy and it fits your pocket. This one’s definitely a must-have.
Storage Devices
This tool is a life-saver for a Devcom student. Flash drive, a compact and lightweight tool, functions as a storage device for different kinds of files depending on its capacity. It is important to back up your files at all times because problems arise at the most unexpected moments. It is also used for easy transmission of files from one device to another.
Powerbank
Our phones do have a limited amount of battery percentage. This is where powerbank comes in. The good thing about it is that it allows you to store electrical energy and then later use it to charge up a mobile device. It is very useful specially when you are travelling and in situations where you can’t find a place to easily charge your phone. You’ll be doomed if your device ran out of battery at the exact moment that you’ll be covering an important event.
Pen and Paper
Of course, we can never go wrong with the traditional. Despite having all these gadgets, a pen and paper is still be valuable and useful. I prefer to use them when I write down immediate notes, edit a writing, and produce a physical copy of my to-do-lists.
Besides having all these tools, it is important to gain proficiency in using them because it will make your work more efficient and will produce a high-quality output. We should also remember to take extra care of these tools because it will be our greatest companions throughout our stay in Devcom.
Image References:
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