So, there I was a bit flabbergasted (I don?t think I?ve ever actually written/typed that word before, so perhaps I?ll start a rule to use a new word with each post – okay, done) then later honored that Chad Mezera (he runs this whole IMC thing at WVU) had selected me as the fourth official IMC blogger?I swear I did not bribe him!

What does that mean to you? Well, for the next nine weeks or so, I?ll be reflecting openly and honestly on my experience to you all?prospective and current students?in an unrestricted effort to paint a REAL picture of what you can expect (the good and the not so good) from the IMC 616 Direct Marketing grad course (taught by Alexia Vanides) in REAL time. I may inject some of my own personal trials as well, as most of us are juggling underpaid jobs and limited social lives, in addition to working feverishly to advance our education.

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That said, allow myself to introduce, well myself. My name is Jamie Pachomski. The jury is till out on whether Pachomski is Polish or Ukrainian, but either way, I?ll still respond to Jamie, Mr. Pachomski or Hunny, but of course that?s reserved for my wife. The dishes are making a funky, ceramic mountain in the kitchen sink, so here?s the short of the long about me:

After serving honorably for three years as a psychological operations specialist in the U.S. Army?s elite special operations branch located on Fort Bragg (North Carolina), I returned home to Rhode Island where I wholeheartedly leapt back into the swing of pursuing my college education. Three more years went by with lightning speed and I received a bachelor?s degree in communications with a specialization in public relations from Rhode Island College. It wasn?t enough, nor was Rhode Island for that matter.

In the months leading up to my graduation, I had spent a great deal of time researching graduate programs all over the country in journalism and IMC. In the ensuing two weeks after graduation in May 2004, this now-31-year-old found himself driving to Chicago with a job (marketing/public relations coordinator for Hospice of Northeastern Illinois), graduate assistantship in journalism (Roosevelt University) and new courses waiting for me. The job thing worked well for about a year and a half, as did school (after a skipped semester), but the assistantship didn?t ? I had to decline. Much to my dismay, the school made the decision for me that I couldn?t handle all three.

In September 2005, my then girlfriend/fiancée/now wife, who moved out to Chicago seven months after I had originally (we were on a break!), finally got the call from CCRI – a school here in Rhode Island – that her nursing slot (after a sluggish, two-year wait) was officially available for the following spring semester. A month later, it was bye-bye Windy City, hello again Lil? Rhody.

Upon our return, I landed a job as a public relations specialist with FM Global – a worldwide Fortune 500 commercial and industrial property insurance company. As I mentioned in my Question 1 posting this week for class, I?ve learned a great deal about how different the proverbial ?Corporate America? culture is to that of a small non-profit. To my advantage, however, I have duly learned about how to enthusiastically adapt, and more so how to become a better public relations strategist, rather than simply?an order-taking tactician! I?ve worked on projects like promoting our company?s new fire prevention grant program developing, implementing and managing public relations strategies for the company?s forest products division; building a speaker?s program to support the company?s local workforce recruitment plan; and the list goes on?press releases, case studies, media coaching/pitching/relations, feature articles, award nominations, and so on. Most recently, I got involved in managing client/corporate relations during the development of client profiles for our company?s annual report, which, like my other responsibilities, has given rise to much more travel than I and my supervisor had ever expected. For example, I turned in my team?s final project during my last course (Brand Management) from Stuttgart, Germany?where a last-minute business trip took me all over Europe (Amsterdam, Germany, Sweden, France and the UK) one week before Christmas! Lesson: Life, especially work, does not stop just because you have a final to complete.

I suppose I?ve told this now way-too-long story to help you get better acquainted with me personally, but also to help you reflect on your own story, as we all have one to tell. I think it helps sometimes to take?if for only a moment?time to recognize that really, in large order, we?re all sailing similar boats. It?s that common ground that we all have when starting something new like a relationship, job or some other new endeavor?not to mention the sometimes arduous experience of pursuing a master?s degree.

So, share your story with me and with others during the next nine weeks. Feel free, as in previous blogs, to ?Ask Jamie? anything about the IMC 616 Direct Marketing course, the IMC program in general and anything else that comes to mind. I?ve presented some thoughts (and personal insights) to ponder during the next week below. Perhaps we can all learn a thing or two from each other.

Best of luck to all for the Spring 2008 semester!

-Jamie

How do you prepare for a grad course in the IMC program?

It?s all about organization. I try to get all non-school-related matters in order (bills, any lingering errands, work, etc.) in an effort to mitigate any undue stress as much as humanly possible. My wife and I also plan our meals during the week and assign each other ?cooking? nights based on our busy schedules. I have found that the more prepared I am in advance of a class, the more effective I can be when participating in the weekly discussions and writing assignments.

How do you balance life, work and school?

It?s isn?t easy, but it is necessary. I think it?s best to heed to a respectful schedule that takes your work, school and personal life into account, as well as your health. Lack of balance is sure to catch up with you if not properly managed.

How do you cope with stress?

Remove as many distractions as possible whether it be in your life or in the moment when studying or writing. Shut off the TV. Put on music that relaxes you – I?ve found solace in Yoga music. Though somewhat costly, invest in a set of earbuds for your IPod, Mp3 or CD player. They are designed to block out noise. Believe me, in a one-bedroom apartment?populated by two humans and three very active dogs, this is a worthy investment! Exercising is great, too ? even if it?s only a 10 or 15-minute walk. I?m told that exercise releases endorphins. And endorphins make people happy. Can you guess the movie I stole that one from?