Wk2 Project: StoryboardBy Lauren Benzo

Before I started the MCBS Program, I was a little indecisive on returning back to school.

With over 10 years from working in the industry,

I have learned and grew from my personal life experiences.

My dreams of working in the industry started with me wanting to be a rapper.

I became an assistant to a group named The LOX in 2002.

After I learned how much money you actually make as artists

at times being taken advantaged by a major label,

I chose to take a different route.

I took the name of the rap group that my sister and myself created and made it a promotional company named D.Y.M.E.ndz Inc.,

which stands for Driven Young Motivated Entrepreneurs.

I got my feet wet in promotions,

landing some PR jobs,

and I started doing radio.

I have always thought I wanted to make sure I could leave my mark in the industry as a radio personality/DJ,

but then I started doing interviews for websites and publications around the country.

Never in a million years would I have thought being a writer would be so exciting.

Because of that, my eyes were beginning to open up to the world of journalism.

I would say after the 5th article that I posted for a website called ThatsHipHop.com,

I began to receive emails from various websites to cover events and give my input on hip hop projects that were being released from major music labels.

Because of that, I started traveling the country,

attending events,

shaking hands with my peers,

and meeting very important people in the industry.

I am going places I never thought I would be able to see,

even getting the chance to meet and interview people that I respect and love.

Because of that, I knew I wanted to pursue my career professionally as a journalist.

I was just a little hesitant to really go for it, until finally my hard work paid off.

I was offered a job at Complex Magazine

and ever since I decided to pursue my passion for media.

It was just one more thing I felt I had to accomplish.

This gave me the ambition

to attend Full Sail for the MCBS Program.