I Want To Work In Mass Media

       In eighth grade, I was one of the few persons in the class without a smartphone. I didn’t have Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp or Twitter. I felt isolated, inferior, I wasn't fully connected with my classmates. Finally, that Christmas year, my parents gave me my first smartphone, a present that completely changed my life, forever. At that moment, I got access to a new dimension, a digital world that would become as much important and essential as my authentic reality. At that moment, I became a full mass media consumer. I daily spent about two hours in front of a television screen during dinner and lunch, watching series, reality shows, news reports or athletic events. I listened to the radio for an hour when my dad had to drove me to soccer practice; we loved discussing the show's topic and guessing the quizzes' answers. On Sundays, at my grandmother's house, I read the local newspaper and my grandad's favorite sports magazine, which was the main subject of our long and passionate conversations. Every afternoon, I worked on my laptop for two hours to meet with my academic responsibilities. However, if my phone buzzed, I stopped whatever I was doing and gave priority to my iPhone 4. I surrendered myself to that device, to the point of using it for four hours per day. In conclusion, by the age of thirteen, I was investing about ten hours of my daily routine in mass media. A shocking data that I discovered some years ago, as a senior in high school, while doing a research project about “the influence of media in our lives”. This assignment introduced myself to the mass media world and, from then, I never wanted to leave it.

       At first, it was difficult for me to admit that I was spending almost half of my day in front of screens. I was curious to know if my classmates were also victims of that phenomenon. So, as a part of that schoolwork, I decided to survey them. To my surprise, the class average of mass media consumption was similar to mine, around ten hours per day. That made me realize that we all share an imperative relationship with media. Yes, it is imperative, because the inherent human need of social belonging force us to participate in these platforms and be connected to the mediatic pop culture. “Because everyone does it”, that was the winner answer to the survey question: “Why do you have a phone, watch TV, read the press, or listen to the radio?” For most people becoming a media consumer is an unconscious process, a natural life cycle without a previous reflection or reasoning behind. They innocently allowed mass media to enter their lives, ignoring the dangers and consequences of that action. Which, over time, led into media manipulating or even controlling their lives.

       Lucky for me, that school project removed the blindfold from my eyes, allowing me to perceive the supreme power that mass media exerts over the blind society. Once aware of this dark, hidden reality, I was able to see myself reflected in the protagonist of The Truman Show. At the beginning of this academic research about mass media, our teacher suggested that we watch this movie once we had finished the project, in order to fully comprehend the metaphor and emphasize with Truman. Well, she was right. After doing the research, that movie perfectly captured my vital course from a blinded mass media puppet to an enlightened, free media consumer. I had never felt that close to a fictional character, I deeply sympathized with Truman. I would never forget the renowned final scene of the protagonist climbing the sky-colored stairs, opening the door, saying “In case I don’t see you, good afternoon, good evening, and goodnight”, walking to the mysterious dark reality, and leaving that fake mediatic world. That’s when I realize that, like Truman, I didn’t want to be a member of an artificial society ruled by media. It’s more, I wanted to join those powerful few in charge of controlling and feeding the multitude.

       Exactly, I wanted to work on mass media. I wanted to be on the other side of the screen, getting involved in the creation of any type of mediatic content. Music, movies, radio, television, press, or even social networks. My main role in this area will be providing the audience with the entertainment they are searching for but adding the positive and enriching moralities that the society is lacking. I want to use the influential power of media for virtuous causes, such as spread revolutionary ideas, promote humanitarian values, fight for justice and equality, and encourage innovation. In conclusion, contribute in my way to make the world a better place. It’s quite an unattainable goal trying to change the current role of mass media, of mastering and conditioning the society. I know. However, I refuse to feel associated with a group whose purpose is limiting people’s lives. Therefore, I have promised myself that my work in mass media will be strictly focused on recreation and morality. I might not be able to revolutionize the mediatic sector or improve the planet, but at least I will have tried. I will have peace of mind that my job takes into consideration human development and ethical principles. In some way or another, I will positively influence someone’s life, make someone’s day; and that must be the best feeling ever.

       A feeling that has always been a requirement for my ideal profession. I was about seven when my parents asked me for the first time: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”. I said, “firefighter because I want to rescue people”. Years later I took that idea out of my mind, but I kept the desire of choosing a job oriented to help and improve the world. Then, in high school, after doing that research project and watching The Truman Show, I saw it clear. Mass media was the most efficient and attractive method to make a social impact. This area would be my battlefield for fulfilling my altruistic goal and encouraging humanity to choose the right path.