The Feeling Of Being Picked As The ‘Super IA’
If you get picked as the ‘Super IA’ for your master’s class at Newhouse, it’s a great feeling. I still remember less than a year ago, I was in my second week of summer bootcamp for Broadcast and Digital Journalism. We were in our live radio newscast, and I was under deadline of being the day-of reporter (which can be stressful in itself because you can’t pitch your story until the actual news day and hope someone will be willing to talk to you in less than a few hours), then 10 minutes before we go live Professor Tuohey emailed me in all caps saying, “COME TO MY OFFICE NOW”. I was terrified because we had just gotten to Newhouse and I’m a still a “newbie”. I promptly emailed him back and said, will be down to you in 20 minutes, going live for newscast in 5. So after, I’m basically shaking because I thought maybe I was in trouble. I walked in and sat down and he says, “Have you ever heard of the Super IA?” I said no. I only knew of the regular IA position that I had been offered for the fall and spring of my tenure at SU. Then he goes on to say, “Well, they don’t wear a cape, I’ll tell you that,” and starts laughing. I was so nervous, I didn’t laugh and I think he finally caught on I had no idea what was going on. He proceeded to explain to me that I was my cohort’s top pick for the Super Instructional Assistant; meaning, I am the person that was chosen due to high leadership, grades, recommendations, and so on and so forth. So, I got this leadership here to be somewhat “above” my classmates in a certain way. I have to lead in a light that will continue on not only for me and my classmates, but also the next master’s class. The only stipulation: I have to stay at Newhouse for an extra fall semester, everything will still be paid for though.
I immediately said yes. I said yes in one day after telling my mom, not asking. I felt on top of the word because I am a young woman from Atlanta, GA who had no intention let journalism find me as my passion, had no one in my family do what I do, and went out of state to Jackson, MS for my undergrad, creating something as legacy for a student-run newscast and studio, and now getting accepted into my top and only choice for grad school and moving all the way to Upstate NY. It’s a great decision that I believe I made and to know that my classmates and I lean on each other for help is amazing. I don’t feel “out” at all with my decision and I can only imagine what it’s going to be like when the new master’s class comes in just a short few months.
I remember the Super IA for the previous class was Isabel Sanchez. She was so amazing to us and for us. She helped us during day or night and would drop anything, if she could, to make sure we had the help we needed. She is now in a great MMJ job for WBOC-16 in Maryland. Even now when she’s able to make trips back here, she’s still so sweet and she has so many teachers who adore her. I can only hope to make them as proud of me as they are with her. I have big shoes to fill and I think I’m doing okay. Whoever is the new Super IA, I hope you feel as great as I do and don’t hesitate to ask me any questions!
