The J-education that almost killed me

Looking back on journalism coursework so far, one class sticks out big time: J415. It's been a year since I took it, but my heart rate still goes up every time I walk toward Dole. But just like a shot of nasty cough medicine, 415 was good for me in the end. It wasn't my favorite class, but 415 taught me most of the skills that other classes in the J-school have since honed:

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and J415 definitely taught me how to manage my time to achieve maximum productivity.

• Writing and editing: This one is kind of a given, but perhaps the most important. Stats still show that employees who can communicate effectively and accurately through writing are in demand.
• How to tell a story different ways: 415 taught me how to turn a print story into a TV package and vice versa. Then we learned how to put it on the Web and add interactive and visual elements. These days journalists have to wear many hats if they want to keep a job, so it's important that they know how to do a little bit of everything.
• How to work with unpleasant individuals: City commissioners can be cranky, professors can be unorganized, partners can be lazy. Taking 415 taught me how to interact with all sorts of people while keeping my cool and staying on deadline, an important job skill in any field.
• How to make a counseling appointment at Watkin's Health Center: The first thing J415 gave me was a mental breakdown. No joke.
• Networking and namedropping: When you say "I'm a journalism student working on a project," sometimes people don't have time for you. But when you say "Good afternoon. My name is Ima Reporter and Mr. Big Shot told me you were an excellent source for an article I'm working on," you tend to get somewhere. Then you can call Mr. Big Shot later for another article, or perhaps when you're looking for a job.
• Always panic early: 415 enhanced my already neurotic tendencies to be obsessively on time and over-organized. These traits could end up killing me, but for now I am a pro at time management and working under pressure.

So, was this worth $40,000+? Ask me again after I graduate next May, but so far the skills I've learned have paid off. I'm pretty confident these skills will get me a journalism job, and if not, I will make a damn good secretary.