The Signal Vol. 87 No. 7

RÉSUMÉ GUIDE

EXPOSED

SHAWN ELLIOTT

SUDOKU

PAGE 14

Here’s what to include to get your résumé noticed and how you can tailor your goals.

Georgia State student shares their experience as a nude model at The Bakery.

What goes into the job and life of a college football head coach? More than you’d expect.

CROSSWORD

PAGE 14

SIGNAL STAFF

PAGE 19

NEWS

PAGE 4

ARTS & LIVING

PAGE 13

SPORTS PAGE 15

VOL. 87 | NO. 7

OCT. 8 - OCT. 15, 2019

The Jobs Issue |

Your resource for navigating from college to career

ILLUSTRATION BY DEVIN PHILLIPS

@gsusignal

georgiastatesignal.com

LOOKING FOR A PART-TIME JOB? FULL-TIME JOB? INTERNSHIP? CO-OP?

Career Drop-Ins Monday - Friday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

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UNIVERSITY CAREER SERVICES CAN HELP YOU! Other Services: Resume Reviews Career Counseling Job Search On-Campus Interview Professional Headshot Career Fairs Career Workshops Graduate School Planning

Student Center West, Room 270 career.gsu.edu (404) 413-1820 @panthercareer

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2019

www.georgiastatesignal.com/news

Changing majors is more common than you think Students discuss reasons and stigma behind changing degree paths NATE HARRIS Staff Reporter

N

inoshka Wilson enrolled at Georgia State as an exercise science major. But she intended on a career traveling around and working closely with professional sports leagues as a physical therapist. A few semesters into her classes, that idea wasn’t sparking the same joy in her it once had.

“I just lost my passion for physical therapy, and along the way, I wasn’t doing as good in my classes,” Wilson said. “So, I’m like, ‘Do I tackle this and go hard for it or do I change my major? Maybe it’s not something that I really want.’”

After taking a year away from school, Wilson re-discovered herself and her passions, realizing that she loves to create.

“I’m a creator, and I want to create and help people along the way,” she said.

Two years into her college career, Wilson decided to chase her new-found love for creating and switched her major from exercise science to social entrepreneurship.

Wilson is one of thousands of Georgia State students who have changed their major at least once during their time at the university.

“Seven years ago, the average Georgia State student was changing majors 2.6 times, with many of the changes after their first year of studies,” said Timothy Renick, senior vice president for Student Success at Georgia State. While that number has trended down following changes to freshman curriculum, nearly 900 students have changed their major since the beginning of August.

Approximately 60 percent of students who change their major stay within a general academic area, according to Renick, such as sophomore Briana Guzman, who switched from interdisciplinary studies to philosophy.

“I thought interdisciplinary studies was too general,” Guzman said, who changed during her freshman year. “I knew I wanted to be a lawyer when I was in interdisciplinary studies, and I just felt like I wasn’t getting what I needed to get out of it.”

The remaining 40 percent switch to an entirely different field of study, as Christian Marthone did.

Marthone, a junior history major, enrolled as a biology student,

but was convinced to switch after one of his professors inspired him.

“Dr. Woodrum from the Decatur campus, his teaching and his passion behind what he was teaching [influenced me],” Marthone said. “I’m Haitian, so he was able to tell me stuff about the Haitian Rebellion and all this that caused me to go out and seek that information.”

To solidify his choice between the two majors, Mathrone decided to let his grades determine his future.

“It was kind of trivial,” he said. “It was like, ‘Whichever grade I get higher in this history class or microbiology, I’ll go with that.’ So, I got a higher grade in history, no surprise, but it was pretty close.”

The process of changing a major is relatively simple. Students must meet with an advisor and complete a Change of Major form.

Wilson visited her advisor, not knowing what she wanted to do, only knowing she did not want to do exercise science anymore.

“I was like, ‘I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. Can you help me out?’ and he was like, ‘Well, describe yourself to me. Tell me about yourself,’” she said. “I like healthcare, I like business. I told him about myself and he said, ‘This is the major for you.’”

There is no limit on how many times a student can change their major, but there are a number of things to take into consideration when making the switch.

“They may not realize that there are hidden implications to the change, or to choosing one major over another,” Renick said.

Most notably, changing your major can add extra semesters to your college career, which could affect HOPE Scholarship or other financial aid funding, both of which have caps and limits to the number of credit hours they can apply to.

“I have to take a whole bunch of summer courses now,” said Armando Rodriguez. ”It’s always unfortunate, but that’s the case.”

Rodriquez, a junior who switched from exercise science to health and provisions, changed his major over the summer after concerns about whether his major would lead to a satisfying career.

“I was scared, to be honest, that I was going to pick the wrong career,” he said.

Renick said the majority of students do not end up graduating with the major they chose when they first enrolled.

Sager Siwakoti, a sophomore accounting major, for example, had no experience with accounting prior to coming to Georgia State.

“In high school, I took biology and it interested me, so I thought I might just go for bio,” Siwatoki said.

A freshman year course involving accounting inspired Siwakoti to change his degree path.

“I thought, ‘This is pretty cool. I’m going to change my major.

This is what I want to do,’” he said.

As for how their new degree choice will affect their career aspirations, the students aren’t letting the uncertainty hold them back.

“With social entrepreneurship, I’m still trying to figure that out,” said Wilson, who, in the meantime, has already launched her own cosmetic brand.

Marthone, ironically, already has a job at Piedmont Henry Hospital using his old biology major.

“I was trying to be a general practitioner, so now I’m going to have to find a new job in my field, which is pretty funny,” he said.

“But I’m planning on going into law in a little bit. So, I’m going to have to shape what I’m doing at the moment to match that.”

Both said they had the majority of their family and friends supporting them in their decision to change paths, though agree there is a stigma behind switching majors.

Marthone has heard the argument before, that college students are young and unaware of what they want, so they should just stick with something they know will pay later on.

“I think it’s perpetuated from the older generation of students.

‘Well, I went in there and was science all the way through. I never thought about switching. I just got it done and got a job,’” he said. “But there’s more ambiguity to the system now, there’s more avenues you can take.”

Wilson felt some pushback from others on her decision as well.

“A handful of people were like, ‘All of your credits are gone?

You’re starting over?’ But I feel like, it’s not more so about what’s on paper, it’s more about how I feel, and I feel way better about it,” she said.

Renick thinks the most important thing for a student to take into account when contemplating changing a major is their happiness.

“Students who major in a field because they believe it will make others happy or because they think they will earn more money are often disappointed,” he said. “The best advice is the simplest: do something that your love, something that you are passionate about.”

707 forms submitted August 2019

501 forms submitted September 2019

1,208 total change of major forms submitted for August and September 2019

47.26% changed to a major in the same college 27.98% changed or added a minor or concentration 17.38% changed to a major in a different college 7.36% changed to undeclared

ILLUSTRATION BY DEVIN PHILLIPS

NEWS

4

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

Being an alum — now, in four years and in 30

Networking and career building with past and present Panthers JORDAN FREDERICK Staff Reporter

G

raduating college is one of the biggest stepping stone in a person’s life. In the course of getting a degree, a stable job and figuring out what to do next, one may forget their roots. But Panthers have a way to stay connected to their alma mater through the Georgia State Alumni Association.

While “Alumni” and “graduates” can be synonymous terms, just because a student graduates from Georgia State it doesn’t mean they are automatically a member of the Alumni Association.

Members are graduates who are dues-paying members of the association, whose fees pay for resources and connections that the association provides.

The association prides itself on the number of members that are a part of it. Most alumni from Georgia State remain in the state. As of May 2019, more than 190,000 alumni from Georgia State are still in Georgia, according to the association’s website.

Florida, North Carolina, California and Texas are the states with the next largest number of alumni. Some alumni leave the U.S., with 2,978 alumni either identified they were living abroad or left their location unidentified.

“Our association tends to host events around the Atlanta area to cater to our alumni who have traveled here or stayed here,” Chauncey Walker, the Alumni Association’s constituent relations coordinator, said.

The association provides Georgia State students and graduates many opportunities to build their résumé within the university and network outside of it for their career.

When alumni pay the $75 fee for the association, they receive access to six appointments with a career adviser on campus and a career drop-in session, where the alumni can receive résumé reviews and quick job searches.

“The biggest impact the association had on Georgia State is connecting,” Walker said.

Alumni also can receive awards and can attend events through the Alumni Association. One important night for the association is the Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner held on Friday, during which the association awards an alum who exemplifies leadership and passion through the association.

This year’s nominees include alumni dating back to 1968.

Besides the awards dinner, the Alumni Association holds other events including a homecoming tailgate on Saturday and an Alumni Happy Hour networking event hosted in Washington, D.C. On Tuesday the association held the Young Alumni Mixer

Georgia State alumni sign in at the Young Alumni Mixer at Ormsby’s on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

for recently graduated alumni.

Kierra Nelson, who attended the mixer, graduated from Georgia State with a bachelor’s degree in science and chemistry in August 2015 and came back for her master’s degree in public health. Nelson joined the Young Alumni Council, in hopes to give back to Georgia State.

“I wasn’t highly involved in the association during my undergraduate years. After I started my master’s degree, I got more involved in the association to network for my field of work,” Nelson said. “I joined the Young Alumni Council to step my foot in the The Young Alumni Council focuses on the recent alumni from Georgia State and keeping them engaged with the university.

“We hope to get our Young Alumni more engaged,” Walker said. “The face of Georgia State has changed [a lot] from 1913 to today, and we want to make our young alumni feel connected and supported.”

PHOTO BY ZACH BUTLER | THE SIGNAL

Recent graduate Cody Post joined the YAC this year.

“I joined the council because I wanted to help out my fellow alumni and to encourage current students throughout their time at Georgia State,” Post said. “The council allows alumni to give back to the university; we can help each other out by mentoring each other and making new connections.”

To be eligible for the council, which has 30 members, the applicant must have graduated within the last ten years or must be under the age of forty.

Once on the council, members have responsibilities to uphold, such as serving a minimum of two years, donating a minimum of $100 to the Georgia State Alumni Scholarship Fund and attended two events hosted by the Alumni Association.

The association caters to current students of Georgia State as well. The Student Alumni Association hosts a program called Dinner with 12 Panthers, pairing current students with alumni to foster connections over a meal.

A résumé builder’s perfect résumé

What are the must-haves, and how can you make yours unique?

DANIELLA JOHNSON Staff Reporter

T

he fall semester has kicked into high gear, midterms are around the corner and deadlines for spring and summer internships are rapidly approaching. The University Career Services center located on the second floor of Student Center West has résumé and cover letter services to help students offer their best selves to their prospective employers.

While the perfect résumé does not exist because each employer looks for different things, there are a few important aspects each résumé format needs to get as close as possible.

“My perfect résumé elaborates on work experience and is tailored to what you want to do,” Tia Reed, team lead at University Career Services, said.

According to the team leads in the Career Center, work experience, education, leadership, skills and extracurriculars — preferably in the same field — are the top four most important things to include in a résumé. If a student does not have work experience, they can substitute that with general experiences,

such as volunteer work or coursework.

“I get students sometimes that think they have nothing to put on there,” Ashley Staine, Career Services graduate assistant, said. “Even if you’re a freshman or sophomore, you may have written a paper in your literature class but that took a certain amount of research so that’s a skill … and it still gives you something to put on there.”

According to Jasmine Daniels, another Career Services team lead, tailoring your résumé isn’t hard at all. Students should look at the job description and what the company or employer wants and apply the skills they already have that are most relevant but be sure to avoid “fluff skills.”

“Read the job description, see what they repeat multiple times and then you put that in your résumé if you have it — obviously you don’t want to lie,” Daniels said.

Including a cover letter tailored for the desired job can also make a résumé more appealing to employers. In a cover letter, applicants have the opportunity to say things that they are unable to say in a résumé. According to Staine, as you dive deeper into internships and fellowships, a cover letter is a musthave.

“If your major is kind of broad, I would say, yeah, [having a cover letter is important] and also if your field of study does not

apply to what you’re applying for,” Daniels said.

Generic cover letters aren’t always the best route, though; many times, there are other details that are more applicable to one job than another. A cover letter needs to be formulated and directed towards the employer or company. So, it’s best to write a new one with each application. If a student is set on having a generic cover letter, team lead Tia Reed advises students to fill in the blank spaces to personalize it for each job.

“You can tell your life story if that pertains to what you want to do and it can just be full circle,” Reed said.

TIPS FROM ASHLEY STAINE 1. Visit the Career Services and take advantage of the resources they provide.

2. Don’t sell yourself short — everything counts.

3. Be confident in the things you do — you earn skills everywhere.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2019

NEWS

5

‘College to Career’ shifts focus in classrooms NEWS BRIEFS How to take advantage of Career Services’ resources

LOCAL

SARA MUNOZ Staff Reporter

Georgia Board of Regents member charged with racketeering

W

hen it comes to college, it’s hard not to wonder if the assignments and classes will really apply to the career you want.

And how can you take the time now to prepare yourself for a job later?

Two places you might be able to get some of those answers at Georgia State are through the College to Career Initiative and the Career Services center.

After receiving a grant from Strada Education Network last school year, Georgia State decided to allocate some of the money received toward Career Services, specifically the College to Career Initiative, which aims to assist students in “becoming aware of career competencies, connecting those competencies to the work they do and demonstrating their proficiency of transferable skills.”

In essence, the goal is to help students realize exactly how these courses and assignments will be transferable to the real world and less like abstract assignments just to get a degree.

This program was first implemented in fall 2018, then recently picked up by the Quality Enhancement Program as a primary focus and launched together this semester.

“We think Georgia State is one of the few — if not the only — universit[ies] that is making this intentional and strategic focus on how inherent career readiness is in coursework when the coursework is not specifically career focused,” Catherine Neiner, director of Career Services, said.

Since the implementation, introductory freshman courses across all campuses, such as GSU 1010 and PCO 1020, have been modified to include a College to Career module. This is intended to introduce students to the initiative at the earliest possible stages.

“This [module] is not to force students to decide what career to pursue,” Neiner said. “But rather to help students become aware of potential careers and then learn what actions should be taken to develop the skills and experiences that will make him or her a viable candidate for the ultimate career.”

In addition to the College to Career modules, with help from state funding, State Farm LIFT and Goizueta grants, Georgia State was able to develop a stronger connection with e-portfolio systems.

Portfolium is the e-portfolio system Georgia State uses. It allows students to display their work, skills and achievements. In addition to creating their portfolios, students can connect with other Georgia State students and alumni. This provides students the opportunity to network with over 3,000 companies and apply for internships or fulltime jobs.

Funding for Georgia State’s career-focused initiatives are also applied to faculty fellowship and training and departmental incentive grants. Departments wishing to receive funding to support College to Career projects must submit proposals to the Quality Enhancement Committee.

Faculty fellows develop pathway mapping, which plans the classes a Perimeter student takes years in advance, CTC focused in-class assignments for 2000-level and gateway courses, orientation materials for GSU 1010 and PCO 1020 and other College to Career-specific projects.

The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) also supports faculty training through several online and in-person training sessions available each week. Classes for faculty include “Mastering Online Teaching,” “Responding to Failing Students” and “Developing Effective Communication with Students.”

C. Dean Alford, a former member of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents, was forced to resign from his position at USG Thursday after being charged with racketeering and attempted theft by taking, after a GBI investigation. Alford is accused of stealing $1.8 million through a process called “factoring,” WSB-TV reports. Alford was allegedly using the factoring process to move money out of USG accounts and into Allied Energy accounts, Alford’s private business based out of Rockdale County, in order to pay debts acquired by his company.

NATIONAL California Governor Newsom signs SB 206 into law

Students can get help from and connect with Career Services to discuss opportunities and future career paths.

According to Dr. Angela Christie, the faculty director of College to Career, the training is meant to “teach faculty how to talk to students about career preparation and how to redo their pedagogical approach in class regardless of discipline.”

“When combined with the efforts of faculty to help students make coursework connection to career and with an e-portfolio to demonstrate career readiness, students should be betterequipped to navigate toward a satisfying career,” Neiner said.

In addition to College to Career Initiative, Career Services offers students a wide variety of opportunities. But are students taking advantage of them?

“All Career Services departments face the challenge of reaching all students,” Neiner said.

“We want to not only be accessible but want students to feel comfortable to seek us out and then to have a good experience that helps relieve some of the anxiety of pursuing career.”

Neiner does not want students to think they have to be sure of the career path they want to take before coming to Career Services, because they can help students decide not only how to pursue a career but what skills, interests and abilities they can learn or use to point them toward the career that’s best for them.

“On the flip side, I wish students would come to us rather than to their friends — or even their

PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL

parents — for advice,” she said. “We are up-todate on the best practices and have so many resources that we can share with any student.”

Many students may already be aware of Georgia State’s job board, Handshake, a tool for students on the job hunt. From searching for part-time or full-time internships to after-school serving and hosting jobs, Handshake has opportunities for all types of students. The platform, which is also available via mobile app, includes résumé crafting software and event notifications related to Georgia State.

If you’re looking to update or set up your LinkedIn, free professional headshots are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. at Career Services in Student Center West, Suite 270.

To name a few other resources available, individual career counseling, graduate school preparation and several job search tools such as “What Can I Do With This Major,” “Career Shift” and “O*Net” are accessible through the University Career Services website (career.gsu.edu) for student use.

For students looking for an in-person experience, there will be two career fairs held on October 8 and 9 for students of all majors, and a Graduate School career fair Oct. 29. All events will take place on the first floor of Student Center East.

On Sep. 30, Gov. Gavin Newsom of California signed SB 206 into law, which will allow college athletes in California to profit off of their name and likeness, starting January 2023. The bill was introduced this summer by state Sen. Nancy Skinner and passed both houses of the California State Legislature unanimously.

Historically, the NCAA has prohibited its athletes from making any money in relation to their athletic abilities.

GLOBAL Protests and violence in Iraq leave 65 dead

Anti-government protests broke out in Baghdad and several other cities in Iraq on Thursday against unemployment, poor services and corruption, according to Al Jazeera. The protestors were confronted by police, tear gas and live fire that left up to 65 people dead, with the death toll expected to rise in the coming days.

Authorities in the area have been expanding curfews and cutting internet access in the area in attempts to end the protests.

NEWS

6

Guide to the Greeks

Meet the National Pan-Hellenic Council DANIELLA JOHNSON Staff Reporter

G

eorgia State’s National Pan-Hellenic Council includes eight of nine “Divine Nine” fraternities and sororities: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Iota Phi Theta, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma, Sigma Gamma Rho and Zeta Phi Beta.

The historically black organizations under the NPHC were founded to embrace and aid in the development of “collegetrained” minorities.

WORK

These organizations strive to uplift and give back to their communities through a variety of services. The NPHC often host community service projects for its entire council to participate in.

“For me, giving back to my community has always been something I aim to do in my life,” Christian Amica, president of Phi Beta Sigma, said. “My organization’s motto is ‘culture for service and service for humanity’ and that resonated with me when I was doing research on the fraternity.”

Alpha Phi Alpha has four national programs they use to serve the community: A Voteless People is a Hopeless People (VPHP), Project Alpha, Brother’s Keeper and Go-to-High School, Go-to-College.

A Voteless People is a Hopeless People encourages voter registration, education and voting in elections. Project Alpha was designed to educate and motivate young men from the ages of 12 to 15 on subjects about responsibility, relationships, teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Brother’s Keeper was created to to support the senior brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., spouses and widows; brothers who are retired and have disabilities or ailments; and vulnerable community members Lastly, Go-to-High School, Go-toCollege is focused on education as a way of growth and improvement.

“While our organization tends to complete over 200 community service hours, host/co-host more than 25 programs, and maintain well above a 3.0 GPA each year, the NPHC influences our actions through our own competitive spirits and aspiration to be the best,” Avion Cainion, President of Alpha Phi Alpha, said.

LEADERSHIP

For current Alpha Kappa Alpha president Lauren Deas, service has always been a part of her life. Deas was previously a member of major service organizations such as Girl Scouts of America and Jack and Jill of America. Upon enrolling into college, Deas wanted to serve her community on a wider scale.

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM NPHC “DIVINE NINE” LEADERSHIP

ALPHA PHI ALPHA

After she was initiated into the Eta Mu chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Deas began doing chapter work as the chapter parliamentarian and eventually worked her way up to the vice president position. In November 2018, Deas won the election.

“I had the goals of implementing interactive, innovative, and award winning programs and with the support of my sisters we were able to accomplish those goals,” Deas said.

Similar to his organization being the first of the Divine Nine to be founded, current president of Alpha Phi Alpha Avion Cainion is the first of his family to accomplish many things.

He is a first generation college student, the first of his family to own a business and the first to join a Divine Nine Greek organization.

Cainion claims to have always had a passion for leading ever since being captain of his high school football team. While leading is hard, he takes pride in starting projects and seeing them through.

“As a Presidential Ambassador of The 1913 Society and Immediate Past President of Building Leaders and Cultivating Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K.), my decision to run for Chapter President was certain,” Cainion said.

Amica has always wanted to give back to his community.

Amica’s fraternity is dedicated to being an integral part of the community it is immersed in. After asking for advice and opinions from brothers in his fraternity, Amica felt confident in his run for president.

“I knew since I joined the organization I wanted to be a part of some form of leadership within my chapter,” Amica said.

• • • •

FUTURE CHANGES & PLANS

SIGMA GAMMA RHO

According to President Deas, there aren’t any current upcoming changes for Eta Mu. Deas encourages her sisters to continue to lead the NPHC with the highest GPA and engage in a variety of programs that are open to all students at Georgia State.

“Chapter Members will also continue to be leaders on the Georgia State campus by being active members in other student organizations,” Deas said.

President Cainion and Alpha Phi Alpha have acknowledged the effects of climate change and global warming, and are taking initiative with a program titled “Melted Ice.” Melted Ice will educate Georgia State students on the effects on CO2 emissions and other pollutants.

“Soon, The Zeta Mu Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will launch an initiative to begin to advocate for better care of our community and Earth, as Atlanta as a big city serves as one of the nation’s largest pollutants of CO2,” Cainion said.

The brothers of Phi Beta Sigma are looking towards the events they plan to host throughout the school year.

“Some big things that we are looking forward to is our Sigma Week and some of our staple events and programs such as …

Blulight Cafe,” Amica said.

President Avion Cainion Vice President Terry Thomas, Jr. Treasurer Gerald Fredrick, Jr. Corresponding Secretary Joshua Morgan

PHI BETA SIGMA • • • • • • • •

President Christian Amica Vice President Brandon Byrd Secretary Marque Hill Treasurer Zachary Chenault Director of Bigger & Better Business Terry Robinson Director of Social Action Takia Tinsley Director of Education Nathan Wallace Director of Publicity Raymond Oluigbo

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA DELTA SIGMA THETA IOTA PHI THETA OMEGA PSI PHI

ZETA PHI BETA

ILLUSTRATION BY DEVIN PHILLIPS | THE SIGNAL

TUESDAY, OCTOBER15, 8, 2019 TUESDAY, JANUARY 2019

www.georgiastatesignal.com/opinions

So you’ve secured the bag, but what did it cost you?

Experience versus money: Are students making the right choice?

JASMINE BARROW Staff Columnist

A

ccording to the University System of Georgia enrollment reports for the 2015-16 fiscal school year, there were a total of 77,263 students enrolled at Georgia State across all campuses. This includes fall, spring and summer semesters and undergrad and graduate students.

The total number of students who participated in study abroad programs for the 2015-2016 school year was 1,010, or approximately 1.3% of the student population at Georgia State.

This number is most likely so small because students would rather choose to stay in Georgia to work and make money over studying internationally and not making money.

What does this say about our generation? Does the need for “securing the bag” inhibit us from taking advantage of opportunities?

When it comes down to a scenario that’s along the lines of ‘do something and not get paid against doing something and get paid’, students will pick the latter. If you search up the phrase “securing the bag,” one of the first things to appear in an article titled “If ‘securing the bag’ isn’t on your 2018 agenda you’re f------ up in a big way”.

Chelsea LaFrance is a student at Florida A&M University who runs a braiding business to secure her bag. She began the business in her junior year of high school, but the summer before her freshman year of college, she had to stop braiding because of the physical pain it was causing her.

“I knew I had to take a break when it was taking a tremendous toll on my body,” LaFrance said. “I was taking about five or six appointments a week when I started feeling the effects because I was doing hair almost every day or two heads a day which would take all day.”

There is nothing wrong with wanting to secure your bag.

However, I feel like people do it for the wrong reasons.

It seems like half the reasons students are working so hard to secure the bag is so they can buy something to show for it and post it all across social media.

The other half are students who need to work to survive and to secure their future. They work their tails off so they can invest in a better life for themselves. Sometimes, this comes

ILLUSTRATION BY DEMETRI BURKE | THE SIGNAL

with a price, like dark under-eye bags and 5 hours of sleep.

Securing the bag culture might be toxic in some ways, but it’s basically a way of life now in today’s day and age.

“I think securing the bag is a great wave because it causes people to work and make their own money,” LaFrance said.

“However, I feel like some people can take it too far and want

money so bad and forget about other things.”

Overall, securing the bag culture has its positives and negatives. Students are working hard to better themselves. But in doing so, they’re missing out on opportunities like studying abroad and instead overwork themselves to the point of physical pain. It’s a coin toss whether securing the bag is a good or bad thing. Just know yourself and do what’s best for you.

Workplace readiness — or the lack thereof Why employers don’t think college students are ready ITUNUOLUWA TALABI Staff Columnist

U

niversity is much more than just an institution wherein students learn and get degrees; rather, it is a place where students have the opportunity to build a life that they envision for themselves. You learn how to do “adult” things that you thought just did itself, such as filing taxes and paying the utility bill.

Students struggle to make it both to and through college with the hopes that all their blood, sweat and tears will pay off and that they will have a secure job when they graduate. In addition to that, many are in debt trying to obtain a degree for jobs that employers say we are not equipped enough to handle.

Unfortunately, it takes a lot more than an impressive résumé to not only secure a job but keep one.

Within the last few years, it is apparent that employers don’t think college graduates have the skills necessary for the workforce. Employers feel that college students lack professionalism, work ethic, problem-solving and leadership skills among others.

Although more students are acquiring bachelor’s degrees than ever before and are more formally educated out of college, there is a discrepancy between how confident students feel about their skills going into the workforce. Additionally, how confident employers feel that recent college grads can perform at work.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers Job Outlook for 2019 states that among “the four top-rated competencies in terms of need—critical thinking/problem solving, teamwork, professionalism/work ethic, and oral/ written communications—the difference between the need and proficiency ratings are the greatest. 100 percent of employers rated the competency as very or extremely essential.”

A cause of these gaps between a student’s personal view of their own capabilities and their employers’ views can be tied to the younger generation’s increasing dependence on and access to technology.

The accessibility of information by the mere click of a button can be perceived as an advantage. While this thought is valid — knowledge is power, after all — instantaneous answers are taking away the ability for students to think for themselves, weakening critical thinking skills.

Another huge area that this generation’s college graduates

are said to be missing is professionalism and work ethic. We live in an age of self-indulgent social media, where the need to document and broadcast every detail via pictures and videos takes precedence over living in the moment. This can translate into a heightened sense of self-awareness and form into warped perceptions of confidence.

Teamwork is an attribute that’s among the most highly sought-after traits by employers. However, this is also a category in which college seniors and graduates are only deemed “somewhat” proficient in.

In history’s arguably most “connected” era, we are the most disconnected. Our level of friendship is measured by how quickly they like or comment and quantity as opposed to quality. It’s a lot more difficult now to create meaningful interactions with our peers, and we are more awkward when it comes to collaborating with people in person.

Every generation has its drawbacks. Baby boomers dealt with being financially irresponsible, and for our generation, it’s how the past generations see us and how capable we are to work in professional capacities even though we are pursuing more education.

OPINIONS

8

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

Careers Services: they can show you the future We all need help choosing the right path. Get it for free!

executive president & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Daniel Varitek

LISA-QUINN NDEGWA

editor@georgiastatesignal.com creative director Devin Phillips managing editor Will Solomons

Staff Columnist

director of business operations Ira Livnat

H

igh school graduation marks the end of an era and the beginning of another. For some people, they jump right into the workforce, while for others, it marks the beginning of another two or more years of intense studying just to earn that piece of paper that secures the bag.

With this comes immense pressure to decide on what career path one wants to follow. Ranging from some of the glamorous career paths, such as medicine and I.T., to some “unrecognized” career paths, such as art, students are forced to choose between passions of interest and money.

People in society, for example parents, tend to feel compelled to impose their opinions on young people who end up choosing careers based on what they were told and not what they like, leading to either a miserable future or a surprisingly happy outcome.

To avoid such incidents, colleges incorporate career services in their student resource centers. For instance, each Georgia State campus have a career center in their respective campus to make it accessible to all of its students.

With their open-door policy, it makes it easier for students to get help when the need arises in between their busy schedules. Many students, however, are unaware of this resource.

I remember walking into the office of my career advisor about a month ago feeling confused. I did not know what to expect. Would they judge me for joining college without knowing what I want out of it? How much help could they possibly give me? What exactly do they do?

These were some of the questions rushing through my mind as I approached her door and apparently, according to a recent Gallup poll, a lot of students have asked similar questions.

Surprisingly, my advisor exceeded my expectations.

After having me answer a couple of general online questions, she walked me through my results, which eventually narrowed down my choices and helped me

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settle on one major.

Among the things she walked me through was Handshake, an application Georgia State uses to connect students to potential employers. Through this app, one can set up a profile for themselves that markets their skills to the outside world-leading employers to them.

With experience gained from getting employed by any of these companies, students can build their résumés, with which their schools’ Career Services also helps, which comes in handy after graduation. These internships have the potential to turn into long-term employment opportunities.

Career Services often holds career fairs around

campus, allowing students to meet with employers and helping them understand what exactly is required in the workforce. From dress code to required skills, they will be equipped with the knowledge and experience that will significantly aid them in interviewing for jobs later in life.

My experience with Career Services opened my eyes to a lot of opportunities that I would have probably missed if not for the initiative I took. It makes college feel a tad bit easier knowing that other than my degree, I know what employers are looking for in prospective employees.

The nightmare of the dream job

Inside the predatory job scouting for college students JANNEYN SIMMONS Staff Columnist

F

ollowing rush week, a colorful, chalk-written advertisement made students aware of a rare opportunity. I glance down at the neatly written chalk, and a young woman pops up from the staircase and ushered me to her friend.

Both flashed a bright smile, as they gave me a basic interrogation. They obtained my first and last name, student email and phone number while asking about my major and why I chose it.

The conversation concluded with the promise of a call to “exceptional” applicants. A week later, I received a call from the spunky recruiter, she set up an interview with me. Everything was going perfectly until I was asked one question that shattered my bubble: “What’s the name of the company?”

The company is called Vector Marietta, the Atlanta division of Vector Marketing, a multilevel marketing subsidiary under Cutco Corporation, a direct sales company specializing in knives and other cutting utensils. Multilevel marketing companies like Vector Marketing are essentially legal pyramid schemes. The company does indeed offer a tangible product, but this

company is indeed sketchy.

First and foremost, they are incredibly secretive about the name of the company. The advertisements, phone calls, voice mail and emails do not include the company name. When the representatives speak with applicants, they refer to themselves with their name, “who you spoke with, in front of [Classroom South.]” I found the company name, throughout the office line provided in their instructions to their interview location. I delved deeper into their reviews and history, to find that my experience with their representatives wasn’t unique.

Though I didn’t participate in the interview, it has become apparent that the vague and secretive rhetoric of the company is typical. A group of anonymous West Chester applicants, speaking with The Quad, disclosed their experiences with the company.

“The interviewer asked me very vague questions that are typical of an interview, but she made sure to never explicitly state what exactly I would be doing,” one student from West Chester University said. “She brushed around the subject and said I’d be doing sales and customer service. She said she’d like to offer me a job and gave me a date and time to come back for training.”

Another student alleges that the company doesn’t welcome questions of safety. When he asked about safety, he said that the Vector management “immediately, and quite harshly, shot me down.”

During my research, I uncovered some of their alarming past. For example, I found that the promising $15 an hour wage is the base of a majority of their legal suits. The company has a history of not paying its employees. The company has endured consistent litigation in reference to their alleged wage and labor violations, with their most recent case being in 2017.

It’s safe to say that my excitement for the “opportunity” diminished greatly, and I ultimately didn’t participate in the interview. While this is an anecdote to look back on and laugh at, this unveils a serious issue in our generation. Companies prey on the financial vulnerability of students, knowing that we are willing to jump at any opportunity that can alleviate the strain of college financial obligations.

I’m not trying to stop students from seeking early career advancement. But I do advise everyone to take the time to research the companies that offer these toogood-to-be-true opportunities, especially when they are off-campus and are not a nationally recognized brand.

“Securing the bag,” financial stability and career gain is a vital portion of the career-building process, but it should have limits. Intuition is important, even when it comes to selecting a job. If the company or position gives you an uneasy feeling or doesn’t seem reliable, your safety and wellbeing should always precede any and all wages and benefits. I implore you to secure your safety while securing your bag.

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ARTS & LIVING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2019

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Devin Henfield: black classically trained musician Twelve years of training led to a discovery of his passion for music EMMA SUE PARTRIDGE Staff Reporter

D

evin Henfield, a graphic design major at Georgia State, hasan undying passion for music. He began his musical journey when his parents signed him up for piano lessons at the age of 5 years old.

His parents hired an elderly German lady who studied at Yale to teach him how to play the piano. She was his teacher for 12 years. Although he was grateful for his experience, Henfield didn’t really enjoy playing the piano that much at the time.

Henfield’s desire to create and explore music is credited to his years of playing the piano.

“It formed the foundation for everything I know now,” he said, “If I hadn’t played piano, I probably wouldn’t be into music now.”

Henfield can play the guitar, drums and bass as well. Guitar is his favorite instrument to play.

“You can make the most sounds with a guitar,” he said. “With a piano, you’re kind of limited because you just press a button and the sound comes out. With a guitar, you can bend and slide and get a larger variety of different sounds.”

He began picking up other instruments in high school.

Inspired by a friend who made beats, Henield began making beats of his own. He also used his knowledge from piano to teach himself how to play other instruments as well. High school is when he really started to fall in love with music.

His adoration for music led to him creating a mini studio Devin Henfield is a Georgia State student who has been a classically trained musician for 12 years, beginning at the age of five. in his room. When purchasing equipment for his studio at a music store, an employee asked if he needed help with his the listener to have while listening to the song? How do I want SoundCloud page. He assumed Henfield was a “SoundCloud to make people feel?’” Henfield said. “Once I have that down, rapper” based on his appearance.

“I like the fact that people expect one thing and get the next,” that’s when I start thinking, ‘What pace should it go at? What he said. “I think that actually would open doors for me because sort of instruments should be in there? How danceable should it be? Should it be groovy or should it drag or should it be its kinda different and people aren’t expecting it.” really crazy and wild?’”

Henfield’s creative process seems so complex to someone After this process that “happens in a matter of minutes,” he who hasn’t been playing instruments for over twelve years. He thinks of a simple chord progression in his head, then he will won’t even touch a single instrument or button until he has a modify the chords to fit the emotion of the song, after which he fully developed idea in his head. finally picks up the guitar.

“Here’s this idea that I have to put into words somehow, and then I think to myself, ‘What is the overall feeling that I want A career in music would be a dream for Henfield. With a

PHOTO BY SYLVESTER SILVER III | THE SIGNAL

major in graphic design, he would like to create tour posters, album covers, magazine design, film posters, or really anything that could involve his passion for music with his degree in the future.

His dream job, though, is to be a recording artist.

“I would be 100% content on my deathbed with what I’ve done with music, as long as I know that I didn’t give up and I gave it my all,” Henfield said. “It’s super corny, but I literally do not need to travel the world and be famous and have fans. I don’t need that. I just want to know that I never decided to put it down because it’s what I love.”

The competitive lives of audio engineers in Atlanta The pros and cons of a career in the music industry GUILLERMO RIVERA Staff Reporter

A

career in music can consist of many different pathways.

A variety of different jobs make up the music industry, one of these being an audio engineer. When it comes to music, audio engineers make sure recording sessions go smoothly and work on the more technical aspects of music production.

“The first time I ever went to a professional studio, I was amazed by the engineer running the session,” Isaiah Silva, an Atlanta-based audio engineer, said. “I knew immediately I had to learn this stuff.”

However, a career in this field typically begins with many years of musical education, which includes knowledge of instruments, theory and other things music-related.

“I started getting serious about guitar in the 6th grade [and] joined my first band in 7th grade, which was 2009,” Adam

Dumas, an Atlanta-based producer, said. “I went to SAE Institute for audio engineering, but that was after 7 years of experience.”

For audio engineers, a career in music can bring a variety of advantages to them, such as being able to do what they love all the time. The job itself is making music and making it sound good, so engineers always get to fulfill their creative needs.

“I’ve been obsessed with creating since I was a kid, so, really, I love and need to be making things,” Dumas said.

A career in music can also provide many connections to people, and ultimately make great creative experiences for an aspiring musician.

“You get the opportunity to connect with so many amazing creatives and make something that can really resonate with them,” Silva said. “Music is the universal language, and frequencies can truly heal people.”

Audio engineering and production also come with pitfalls that make it a difficult career in which to thrive. A musician never really knows when their career might fall off completely, which makes it a very unpredictable and competitive job.

“It may take a long time until you start making money; it

is also an extremely competitive industry because everyone is trying to make music now,” Kenyatta Jones another Atlantabased engineer, said.

The job is also underpaying and is full of criticism from others, making it difficult for a lot of people to maintain a longlasting career.

“There’s going to be a lot of long nights and a lot of criticism, but if you can’t handle that, then this isn’t for you,” Silva said. “If you want to do this because of the money it’s also not for you.

There will be times where it may seem like there’s no money in this career but that’s just part of the process, and you have to be ok with that.”

However, a career in music values originality. Audio engineers are focused and hard-working, which allows them to go further in their career and build relationships with people, building their clientele.

“I try to be irreplaceable,” Silva said. “People will value relationships more than money sometimes, so always try and maintain a good relationship with anyone you run into.

Atlanta’s music industry seems huge but it’s much smaller than you think. Everyone knows the same people.”

Becoming Felicita Pineda Bilingual student musician’s path to success Bria Suggs | arts & living editor

D

uring her first performance in high school, she was so filled with anxiety that her voice trembled and all of the lyrics she had rehearsed slipped from her mind. The stage fright consumed her that night, but it wasn’t permanent.

Determined for redemption, she’d sneak into karaoke bars to get over the fear of performing. The first couple of attempts were similar to the experience on that high school stage, but eventually, she grew comfortable.

Those moments of being choked by panic were worth it because now, when the stage lights are focused on her, she feels at home. This is the story of Felicita Pineda, a studentmusician at Georgia State.

“people would tell me their problems and I’d write what they were going through. Once I started experiencing more life, I started writing more of my own.”

PAGE DESIGN BY DEVIN PHILLIPS PHOTOS BY SYLVESTER SILVER III | THE SIGNAL

Becoming Felicita

Growing up, Pineda listened to all kinds of genres of music, from rhythm and blues to cumbia, a Latin music genre and dance. Selena, a famous cumbia style artist, was a major inspiration for Pineda.

Pineda is not only inspired by studying legends, but also by the people she surrounds herself with.

“People inspire me. When I first started writing, people would tell me their problems and I’d write what they were going through,” Pineda said. “Once I started experiencing more life, I started writing more of my own. Every song that I’ve released has a story behind it.”

Pineda wasn’t always a performer, though. In fact, she didn’t discover her talent until high school.

“We moved to Mableton when I was, like, 16. I had to go to a performing arts high school,” she said.

“The only department I could get into was [either] voice or drama, and I chose voice,” Pineda said.

“That’s what I ended up graduating in. I learned so much in those two years, and that’s when everything started spiraling.”

But Pineda doesn’t just sing in English but also in Spanish, setting herself apart from other local musicians.

“I’m bilingual,” Pineda said. “When I perform, it’s a mixture of the Latin culture that I grew up listening to and the American culture I grew up listening to. I try to mix both of them because my audience is also a mixture of that as well.”

A large source of her inspiration is her Latin American culture. Although Pineda is an Atlanta native, her family is from Guatemala. She believes her singing in two languages is a great representation of the blending of cultures, and to ensure that everyone can enjoy her music.

Something that’s very important to Pineda is representation and inclusion. She wants to make sure that no one feels excluded as she sometimes did growing up.

“I’ll go to Guatemala and I’m too American, but when I’m here, I’m too Latin. I’m Latin American.

I’m both. Not either,” Pineda said.

That’s the source of Pineda’s sound.

“One of my goals is to make sure that everything is bilingual — English and Spanish,” Pineda said.

“So, if someone only speaks English they can still listen and connect and vice-versa for Spanish. It feels natural; it doesn’t feel like I’m faking anything.”

Although she didn’t start performing until high school, music has always been an important part of

her life.

“It’s like my safe haven. It comes around in all parts of my life — when I’m sad, when I’m happy, when I’m angry,” Pineda said. “Spiritually, I’ve always found a really deep connection with music.

It’s a nice getaway.”

She’s also accomplished what other artists might consider a dream: opening for musicians she grew up listening to.

“I opened up for Nina Sky. It was really cool opening up for them because I listened to them when I was little,” Pineda said.

The Life of a Student Musician

At 24 years old, Pineda is a media entrepreneurship major and attends classes on the Atlanta campus. She’s currently a junior transitioning into being a senior.

Going to classes, recording songs, booking gigs and performing may sound like a lot, but after being a singer for eight years, Pineda doesn’t seem to think so.

“At first I thought of it that way, but in recent years it hasn’t been that bad,” she said. “I’ve learned to navigate business situations and learned to network.”

Pineda sees it as an opportunity to better herself and her music.

“I really enjoy learning and everything that I learn,” she said. “I try to keep it for my business to make business decisions.”

Up and Coming

This past summer, Pineda released a video for her song “Cry Baby.” In the video, she had some of her friends and fellow artists who are also a part of the Latinx community make appearances — featuring their art in the video alongside them.

After the release of the music video, Pineda started to see a lot more engagement. She started getting more bookings and more followers, which allowed her to be where she is today. That’s why she considers it to be her most important song to date.

“Cry Baby” also led to Pineda having the ability to open for other musical artists.

“Over the summer I opened up for Flor de Toloache. They’re an all-female mariachi band.

They just won a Latin Grammy,” she said. “They’ve worked with so many artists — they have a song with John Legend. They’re one of my favorite artists.

They’re everything that I aspire to be.”

Pineda has also opened for a ten-piece salsa band, along with a band from Kansas.

“They [the salsa band] kinda do what I do. They have a strong American influence but it’s also very Latin,” Pineda said.

“I’m Latin American. I’m both, Not either.”

The Present and the Future

Currently, Pineda has two songs that will be released soon. “Out of Sight” will be released on Friday. Her second single is “Mi Suerte” and the release date has yet to be announced.

She is also the founder of Travelin’ Music Lessons, where she teaches children piano and guitar.

So, what’s next for Felicita Pineda?

“My goal right now is to be on tour. Once I release these songs, maybe go on someone else’s tour,” she said.

Pineda’s long-term goals aren’t too far out of reach either.

“Long term, I’d like to have a long career in music performing and singing,” she said. “I’d also like to open a music school because I really care about music education, like what it’s done for me and what it can do for other people.”

Another one of her dreams on her bucket list would be flown out somewhere to perform.

“I really like performing,” Pineda said. “There’s this adrenaline right before you go on stage, and it’s gone after a couple minutes. It’s a feeling I can’t really replace anywhere else.”

While Pineda doesn’t know exactly what the future has in store, she is sure about one thing. “[Music] makes me super happy,” she said. “It’s all I want to do.”

WAYS TO FIND FELICITA Website: iamfelicita.com

Instagram: felicita_xo

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/Kitty94Purry

spotify: Felicita

ARTS & LIVING

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GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

Tired of your day job? Check out these odd jobs Georgia State GroupMe blows up with easy jobs for students DANIELLA BOIK

Associate Arts & Living Editor

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eed a quality paper written before 11:59 P.M.? Look no further than the Odd Jobs GroupMe created by Georgia State student Raheel Jooma. Jooma created the GroupMe last month on Sept. 13 to help out fellow students who could use some extra money every now and then.

“Someone in another large group[chat] mentioned how students in college are low-income and how it was a problem,” he said. “I asked in the chat if anyone would be willing to join a chat where students can make a quick buck for ‘odd jobs.’”

Just like that, the idea blew up. Several students had a positive response to the idea, and the Odd Jobs GroupMe was born. In less than a month, almost 200 people have joined the chat and are posting away.

“I was very surprised by how many students joined and posted a few jobs like doing someone’s laundry, walking someone’s dog or needing an experienced nanny,” he said.

Not only are all sorts of jobs being posted but a community of supportive people is being created through the GroupMe. “One time, someone wanted their reading journals finished and offered a sum amount,” Jooma said. “What surprised me was the quick responses that were given. Everyone offered their skills, so that way, if anyone needed help in one of those skills posted, those people could reach out to them.”

For the people joining the chat expecting jobs that are really “out there,” that isn’t necessarily the goal but that doesn’t mean some estranged jobs haven’t been posted.

“One funny job that came up was someone in the chat who was a bit inactive decided to mess around and offered a job where they would pay someone to eat their a—,” he said.

“Obviously, it was a joke but the chat sparked up really fast after that.”

Aside from truly odd jobs being posted in the group, people have also used the group as a platform to promote their own creative pursuits in hopes to get more traction. For example, friends posting Homecoming campaign links to support candidates or even YouTube videos to gain more likes and subscribers.

ILLUSTRATION BY SHANCHEZE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

Whether it be students posting their own creative businesses, making some side money on homework assignments, tutoring students or engaging in some “favors,” the Odd Job GroupMe is drawing in lots of attention.

“It’s awesome because it’s developing into a community,” Jooma said. “A community of college kids coming together under one com one thing, to make some small and quick money.”

A look into The Masquerade’s internship program Alumni talk about the internship that kick-started their careers AMBER CHRISTMAN Staff Reporter

T

he music industry can be incredibly confusing, for creatives and business-people alike. With the fall semester in full swing, more and more students are thinking about their futures. Though Mmany students attend Georgia State’s School of Music, other aficionados might be seeking alternative degrees. Everyone is welcomed at The Masquerade, however, as the venue seeks applicants for their internship program.

“The Masquerade is the best venue in the Southeast,” Joe Warren said.laughs Joe Warren, Warren is an ex-intern and Georgia State graduate who now works as a talent buyer for the long-running establishment.

The popular venue, now located in the heart of Underground Atlanta, has taken many forms since its opening in 1989. It has also hosted some of the biggest alternative acts around, from Nirvana and Soundgarden to Future and Taking Back Sunday.

As talent buyer, it is Warren’s job to keep up with bands across several genres and reach out to acts that he feels would do well at The Masquerade. These days, Warren can be seen scurrying around Kenny’s Alley; often running entire shows. It wasn’t always this way, however - work at a venue for live music

isn’t what one would expect for an Economics major.

“I was basically the kid who loved going to shows, and wanted to be a part of it,” Warren saidsays Warren when asked how he snagged his internship at the Masq. “I literally had no formal background experience in the music industry. The only thing I really had was going to like, Warped Tour and that kind-of related sort of shows.”

Warren’s passion and dedication to learning new things shone through, however. His initial responsibilities for the internship would run along the lines of social media and event promotion. Eventually, this progressed to “postering”; printing show flyers and covering all three stages with show bills for three months straight.

“Basically, I was thrown to the wolves,”Warren said says Warren. “Obviously, if you have some questions [people will] answer your questions. A lot of it was figuring it out for myself... But they were receptive to ambition and determination and stuff like that.”

Of course, degrees in-field are also always welcomed. Last year, Blake Objartel graduated from Georgia State with a degree in Music Management and an internship at the Masquerade under his belt.

To Objartel, the primary obstacle wasn’t lack of relevant education, but rather balancing his passions.

“I think the hardest realization for me about trying to succeed in the music industry is you’re either strictly on the

business side of the equation or you’re on the side of just being an artist and musician,” he says. “So my advice is just be ready to work extremely hard anyways, but even more so if you’re trying to focus on helping yourself succeed as a musician [in addition to] helping others succeed as a business person.”

Objartel now works part-time with Live Nation, though he still picks up the odd job at The Masq.

Regardless of schooling, The Masquerade’s internship program strives to provide experience for those who need it.

Prospective applicants can expect news for the fall semester to be posted on social media. Those eager to get their résumés in can contact the venue personally to apply, or even ask for an employee face-to-face during a show.

So what might life after The Masquerade look like? At Live Nation, the tasks that Objartel performs fall in line with standard customer service - from ushering people to their seats, to checking people into the venue’s private lounge., to the occasional administrative task. However, he hopes differently for the future.But in the future?

“The first [ideal scenario] would be to make a living as a traveling musician. Then once I’m a little older and tired of being on the road, either work for - or start - my own publishing company. The second scenario would have the same ending, but just be a tour manager instead.”

The Masquerade will be posting further news regarding internships to their social media soon.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2019

ARTS & LIVING

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Childish Brendino makes local music videos Georgia State student speaks on his experience in production SHARAYAH DAVIS Staff Reporter

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rendan McGregor, who goes by the alias Brendino, is a 20-year-old Georgia State student who has been making music videos for over two years. Starting before leaving for college in the summer of 2017, McGregor developed an existing interest in filmmaking into an entirely new project with the production of a music video for an artist by the name of BAMBI K. “It was a video shot in a parking garage and at the High Museum [of Art],” McGregor said. “I reached out to him saying, ‘Hey, I’m not really that experienced making music videos, but I can make one for you for free.’ I showed him some of the other stuff I had been working on, and he was down to work. That was the start of it all.”

Since starting in Georgia State’s film program and the Georgia Film Academy, McGregor’s production quality is improving exponentially.

“Nowadays, I actually plan out the shoot,” he said. “There’s more stuff that goes into the production of it. It’s now overall just more of a professional project.”

In terms of what his future plans for production are, McGregor plans to build up his repertoire of artists and genres that he works with.

“I honestly want to separate myself from just being a rap video shooter because I want to work with a variety of artists,” he said.

“I’ve been slowly branching out, and I hope to continue that. It’s more fun that way.”

Most recently, McGregor started working with rap artist De Apollo on his songs “Command S,” “Shine” and “Marble Floors”.

He considers his experience with De Apollo as one of his best working experiences to date.

“He’s super easy to work with and cooperative and he actually comes to me with his own ideas which you don’t see often,” he said.

De Apollo spoke highly of working with McGregor.

“Any idea I came [up] with, Brendan matched it in a way to make it cooler,” De Apollo said. “I wanted something people would love to watch over and over.”

McGregor and De Apollo co-directed the live music video for the song “Shine” along with Ghost Hallmon. The humorous video follows De Apollo and a mysterious woman played by LonelyGirl in a variety of settings from carnivals to winding hallways along with striking visuals and colors.

“Really, I get inspiration from anything,” McGregor said. “It sounds kind of weird, but I’ll get inspiration from even a really basic commercial. It’s just a matter of surrounding myself with

Brendan, an up-and-coming music video producer, has most recently worked with De Apollo, a local rap artist.

things that contribute to my art, so watching movies or watching TV shows help too. Also, my friend circle is surrounded by people who have their own creative outlets, whether its making music or designing clothes. All of that plays a role in how I get inspired.”

The art and artists that McGregor surrounds himself with continue to improve the production quality of his work. Many of his early videos started out with just a couple hundred views. Now, his most viewed video has 6.4k views on YouTube. His education and inspirations allow him to work with a wider variety of people and produce higher quality content which will contribute to his future endeavors.

PHOTO BY MAYOWA AMOSU | THE SIGNAL

HOW TO FIND CHILDISH BRENDINO Brendan’s Instagram: @childishbrendiino Brendan’s music videos on YouTube: brendino De Apollo’s Instagram: @deapollomusic

Figure this: getting naked for work

One student’s account of being a nude model at The Bakery RO PARKER Staff Reporter

A

dramatized scoff vibrates through the phone as a familiar motherly tone escapes the speaker, “You’re posing nude?!”

This was the phone call received by Tamar Levy (they/ them), a third-year art major at Georgia State after sharing that they would be the model for a figure drawing class at The Bakery Atlanta on May 14 on Facebook. Disregarding the comment, Levy desired to partake in this uncommon venture as they simply thought it would be interesting to see the outcomes of people drawing them.

“Bodies are just bodies,” said Levy. “[Drawing] becomes very clinical. It’s just shapes. It wasn’t an exhibitionist thing at all. I forgot I was naked.”

Exposed before everyone, Levy noted that they were, for lack of better words, feeling themselves. It can be an

empowering act to consciously decide and experience something that, for many, would be outside of their comfort zones.

Nudity is stigmatized and sexualized in the majority of today’s contexts, as displayed by Levy’s mother’s concerned and almost fearful reaction to the concept. But naked and unafraid, Levy shared that the hardest part of modeling was simply holding position, not hesitation at the idea of posing nude.

Levy is currently enrolled in a figure drawing class on the Atlanta campus. Highly enjoying the class, it lacks in one department: transgender and gender-nonconforming inclusion. Models and their features are only spoken of on a binary.

At The Bakery, figure drawing is more structurally fluid.

Curated by Lo Pararo (they/them), a Georgia State alum and artist, the figure drawing series is designed to foster individual creativity for the models as well as the artists participating. Pararo strives to create a space in which there are no rules, “without the pressure to draw or imitate ‘correctly,’” encouraging unique artistic interpretations.

First, the foundation of the space: Figure drawing at The Bakery, occurring every second Tuesday of every month, is usually set within the facilities’ art gallery. Pararo positions couches, draperies and often eclectic artistic pieces, including pillows resembling eyeballs and painted mannequins, around where the model will be.

The props are meant to encourage the model to try poses that allow them to explore, free of judgement, as models are given the liberty to pose however they choose.

Sometimes playing music themselves or often bringing in DJs, Pararo evades the space with binaural beats, isochronic tones and relaxing vibes in order to transcend the art gallery into a tranquil and meditative zone. The gentle flow of incense smoke drifts around the room as artists who bring their own materials sit in silence and create.

Levy noted that it felt like a safe environment: a chill, small and intimate class where onlookers were respectful.

Modeling for figure drawing at The Bakery is open to anyone who desires. No prior experience of any sort is necessary.

ARTS & LIVING

14

games

SuD0KU medium

easy

games

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

crossword

1.

HARD

3.

2.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

this week’s theme: Celebrity Odd Jobs 13.

Everyone from Beyoncé to Brad Pitt worked odd jobs before landing their big break. See if you can match the celebrity to the job with this week’s crossword. We hope you enjoy!

To suggest a topic, email us: signalgamespage@gmail.com

across

15.

14.

16.

17.

18.

19.

4. ___ Del Rey loved working as a waitress while living with her aunt and uncle in Long Island.

5. Tom Cruise attended seminary and aspired to be a Catholic ___ before he shifted his interest to acting.

7. As you could guess from his performance in Magic Mike, Channing Tatum was a ___ before he was an actor.

8. Know for painting happy little trees, ___ ___ was a former air force sergeant.

11. When he was 16. Christopher Walken was a ___ tamer in a circus.

14. Before she was Wonder Woman, ___ ___ served in the Israeli Defense Forces.

15. ___ Mendes wanted to be a nun before she found out

they didn’t get paid.

17. Madonna worked at ___ Donuts but was fired for squiring jelly filling at a customer.

18. Many 1D fans know that ___ ___ worked in a bakery in Holmes Chapel before being discovered on X Factor.

19. Jim ___ worked as a janitor to support his family when he was younger.

DOWN

1. Beyoncé used to earn extra cash by sweeping ___ in her mother’s salon.

2. ___ was famously a stripper before becoming a rapper.

3. Danny ___ was a hairdresser for corpses before he became an actor.

5. Brad ____ used to dress up as a chicken for an El Pollo Loco restaurant in Hollywood.

6. Before he was an actor. Steve Buscemi was a ___. He even returned to this job to help during the 9/11 attacks.

9. Before gaining fame for songs like “Umbrella” and “Work”, ___ was an army cadet.

10. Rachel McAddams, Queen Latifiah, James Franco and P!nk all worked at this popular fast food franchise.

12. Barack Obama served ___ at Baskin Robbins before he was President.

13. Jeremy ___ worked as a paper boy, in a bowling alley and makeup artist before becoming an Avenger.

16. Before becoming a billionaire rapper, songwriter, producer and entrepreneur, ___ was a drug dealer.

have an idea for a crossword theme?

Email signalgamespage@gmail.com

SPORTS TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2019

www.georgiastatesignal.com/sports

Shawn Elliott: life of a college football head coach From bowl victories to childbirth, Elliott has seen a lot ESPEN INDRISANO Sports Editor

S

hawn Elliott is drenched in sweat. His Georgia State squad has just finished up a key training session in the heat of Georgia “fall,” as they prepare for the Homecoming game against Arkansas State.

Prior to taking over as the Georgia State head football coach in 2016, Elliott built quite the résumé around the sport he’s had a love affair with for most of his life.

From leading Georgia State to its first bowl victory in 2017, to this season’s shock victory over the Tennessee Volunteers, Elliott has been at the forefront of some of the program’s proudest moments in recent history.

So, what goes into the role of a college football coach? How did he come to find himself as the head football coach of the Panthers? And most importantly, what is Elliott like off the field?

“Georgia State is a special place, to tell you the truth,” Elliott said. “What makes it so special is the people you work for, the people you work with and, of course, the players that you are around every single day.”

As the head coach, it is Elliott’s job to ensure his players are mentally and physically prepared to take on their opponents. For Elliott, preparation is key.

“It is all about preparation and making sure you can reach the individuals you are coaching,” he said. “I think it is often overlooked.”

The job is one that Elliott holds in a special place in his heart.

“It is a phenomenal job,” he said. “It is something that I cherish every single day and am very fortunate to be able to do.”

Elliott has has a long history with football.

Before arriving at Georgia State, he was a four-year letterman as a defensive end for the Appalachian State Mountaineers. Elliott was the co-captain of the 1995 Mountaineers team that finished 12-1.

“If you take advantage of the coaching that you get and are influenced by the coaches that you have, it pays a huge dividend [in becoming a head coach],” Elliott said. “I was very fortunate to be coached in college by Jerry Moore. Coach Moore is in the College Football Hall of Fame now.”

After graduating from Appalachian State in 1996, Elliott immediately landed a coaching position at his alma mater. He began as a defensive assistant in 1997 and later took over the offensive line coach position in 2001.

It was at Appalachian State where Elliott says he made one of his best memories throughout his time in the sport.

“My wife went into labor when I was coaching a game,” Elliott said. “I actually had to leave the ballgame in the middle of the third quarter because my daughter was being born. It was so funny because it was being televised by ESPNU. Our associate [athletic director] at that time walked up to me and said, ‘Hey coach, I’ve missed eight calls. You might want to call your

Coach Shawn Elliot watches intensly during the Georgia State versus Tennessee football game.

wife.’ I bolted out of there and we were fortunate enough to be up by a pretty good margin and [ESPNU] televised the entire thing. They were like, ‘There goes Coach Elliott. His daughter is fixing to be born and he is running off the sidelines.’ So, that’s probably the fondest memory I have.”

During his 13 seasons at Appalachian State, Elliott helped lead the team to 10 NCAA Division I-AA playoff appearances, including three consecutive championships from 20052007.

His accomplishments landed him a position at the University of South Carolina, where he began working under the legendary Steve Spurrier. Elliott began coaching the offensive line and coordinating the running game in 2010 and 2011, before being promoted to co-offensive coordinator in 2012. “[Working with Spurrier] was just unbelievable,” Elliott said. “It was kind of like working with Jerry Moore. Coach Spurrier was really spontaneous. He enjoyed the game of football and was probably the most competitive man I’ve ever been around.”

During his time at South Carolina, Elliott gained plenty of SEC experience, something he used to his advantage earlier this season, when he helped guide the Panthers to what was arguably the program’s most historic win against the Tennessee Volunteers at the historic Neyland Stadium.

“That is going to be looked upon as a special win for many, many years to come,” Elliott said.

“The fact that we believed and executed and came out of there with a victory against a storied program like Tennessee, it was a great feeling.”

When Spurrier retired from football in 2015, Elliott had the chance to step in as the Gamecocks’ interim head coach. He finished up with a record of 1-5 and lost the permanent job to Will Muschamp, who remains the head coach to this day.

The rest is history. Elliott, as aforementioned, accepted the head coaching position at Georgia State in 2017 and made his mark straight away.

His first season as the Panthers’ head coach saw the team finish with a school-record seven wins and a shiny piece of silverware, the AutoNation Cure Bowl.

Off the field, Elliott enjoys nothing more than spending time with his family. Whenever he can find the time, chances are he is relaxing and living his life on the water.

“I have a wife and two beautiful kids. They are eleven and thirteen,” Elliott said. “We spend most of our time on the water. We are either in a boat or on a beach. We love it to death. If I am not coaching football, I want to be doing something outside around the water.”

For Elliott, the Charleston area is a favorite destination.

“Being from South Carolina, I love the Charleston area,” he said. “I am there every chance I get and we love to travel in the boat and get to go see things you don’t see every single day, whether it be the marine life or just the sunset. There is just something about the sun and the water that really just makes me crazy.”

PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL

SPORTS

16

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

How intramurals offer students a fun way to work Referee positions allow students ways to make some cash ERIK INDRISANO Staff Reporter

I

ntramural sports are a fantastic way for students on any campus to stay active and play the sports they most enjoy.

At Georgia State, intramurals have existed for as long as most people can remember. Most students end up participating in these events at some point, but if you’re a student looking for a way to make some spending money, the intramural program offers paid referee jobs.

“We’ll run anywhere between six to seven sports per semester,” Joaquin Vidal-Collazo, competitive sports coordinator at Georgia State, said.

Interested students are in a good spot. The Recreation Center is always looking for students to apply in need of more employees, namely referees.

“Right now, we are a little bit short-handed,” Vidal-Collazo said. “I would like to have a few more referees on staff because the ones that are on staff right now are being stretched a bit thin.”

This is a problem the Recreation Center has seen in its time on campus. As Georgia State and its Recreation Center are located in downtown Atlanta, competition amongst businesses for applicants is highly competitive.

“Our biggest challenge is being in the city of Atlanta,” Vidal-Collazo said. “You can work at essentially an infinite number of places.”

The job offers flexible hours for students. Each employee has the ability to revolve his or her schedule around class time.

“The average official works about 15 hours a week,” VidalCollazo said In addition to the flexible hours, the benefits for working at the Recreation Center are plentiful.

“They get a one-third sized locker [and] they get their regular pay. There are many different development opportunities,” Vidal-Collazo said Third-year students Malik Galbraith Jr. and Trent Laurentino Jr. have both been referees at Georgia State for about two and a half years.

“It’s a fun job,” Galbraith Jr. said. “I didn’t intend to ref at all, but after doing it, if I had to choose a job on campus it would probably be reffing.”

For Laurentino Jr., the opportunity to experience a wide range of sporting events is an enjoyable one.

“All the different sports are fun, even the ones you don’t like,” Laurentino Jr. said.

ILLUSTRATION BY AMBER KIRLEW | THE SIGNAL

Both Galbraith Jr. and Laurentino Jr. have been very pleased with the work flexibility.

“They schedule around you,” Galbraith Jr. said. “You never have to miss school to work.”

The referee position offers much more than just a job.

Students that join the team get to meet a plethora of new students. The experience is like joining a new family.

“It’s a pretty fun group to work with,” Galbraith Jr. said. “We

talk a lot about sports [and] everyone is pretty similar on staff.”

The satisfaction that referees feel after each game is something that holds a special place for Laurentino Jr..

“You definitely get a sense of pride knowing that you reffed a game,” he said.

Students interested in joining the intramural team are encouraged to head over to the Recreation Center’s website and apply as soon as possible.

The double life of Georgia State football players How collegiate athletes balance school with sports NADIA OSBEY Staff Reporter

W

e know them as football players, but just like you and me, they are students who go through similar struggles with class and sport.

So, how do football players and student athletes balance their time between athletics and academics?

TERRY THOMAS

Terry Thomas is a senior defensive end on the football team. Thomas, who is enrolled in Georgia State’s Honors College, takes his academic performance seriously.

To keep up with his academic and football schedules, Thomas keeps a calendar and planner to stay organized and keep a note of any major school assignments and upcoming football games. This helps Thomas stay ahead of the game and direct his focus.

For Thomas, balancing his schoolwork with football was

not always easy.

“There are distractions everywhere,” Thomas said. “You just have to discipline yourself.”

He said the biggest lesson he had to learn was when he was in his freshman year.

So, how does Thomas balance his time? For starters, Thomas makes sure to get an early start to the day and study up on class work as much as possible.

He also enjoys going to the library and relaxing in a study room in an effort to shut himself-off from everybody else for a while. This helps make sure Thomas stays on top of his grades.

The schedule Thomas and his fellow teammates share is not easy to stay on top of. The team typically starts at 6 a.m. and practices until about noon. Soon after, Thomas is in class, some days until about 7 p.m. After, Thomas enjoys heading to the library to work on school assignments to make sure they are turned in on time.

OLIVER HOLDENSON

Oliver Holdenson is a redshirt senior punter on the football team. Holdenson, like Thomas, is also enrolled in Georgia State’s Honors College.

“Honestly, football takes up a lot of my time out of the day and week,” Holdenson said. “We will have football in the mornings and class in the afternoon.”

For Holdenson, weekly routines are a vital part of success on and off the field.

“I figure out what I am going to do everyday and do that,” Holdenson said. “Whether that be leaving practice, studying for class or studying after class, I do the same things every day.”

Holdenson keeps a planner to make sure he is always organized and in control of what he needs to accomplish on any given day.

“I write all of my homework down as well as stuff I need to study for,” he said. “I just need to keep everything organized so my brain isn’t muddled.”

For Holdenson, the start of each semester may bring issues.

“I have trouble figuring out my [new] routine,” he said.

“When [I] start a new semester, [my] whole class schedule is completely different.”

Coming from Australia, Holdenson’s initial experience was hectic. Over time, however, he became more used to the system and is now a thriving student and college athlete.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2019

SPORTS

17

Gateway Center generating jobs in College Park New arena will add over 100 permanent jobs for the community JULIAN HARDEN Staff Reporter

F

or the College Park Skyhawks and the city of College Park, the return of basketball season means so much more than just competition. The Skyhawks are not only putting their best foot forward on the hardwood, but off the court as well.

Community outreach has been a main priority of the organization since its inception, and job creation is a vital part of that vision. The new Gateway Center, home to the Skyhawks, will help generate 100 permanent jobs for the College Park community.

This is significant for a number of reasons. First, the jobs will help spread the word of the franchise and create a larger buzz in the community. Second, the jobs are part of a larger plan to revitalize and redevelop the city.

Gateway Center Arena will add up to 150 new permanent new jobs in the fall and a further 600 temporary jobs on top of that. The $45 million stadium is set to complete its construction in mid-October and has employed hundreds of workers for its continued construction.

Yanous Barner, the manager of the Gateway Center, believes the job opportunities offered at the stadium will make it stand out from the rest.

“It’s going to be a unique entertainment center,” Barner said.

As the Gateway Center is primed to become a multipurpose stadium, jobs will be a constant need. With the stadium planning to host concerts and other events outside of basketball games, the arena will be a venue for all College Park residents to enjoy.

For basketball games, the stadium will use 3,500 seats. For the aforementioned events outside basketball, it will expand to 5,000 seats, driving the need for jobs.

College Park hopes that jobs at the arena will also be a youth driven affair for the community. College Park City Manager Terrence Morre hopes the new jobs will be the first of many.

“College Park is very much a destination for hospitality engagement and we see this as an opportunity to expand offerings on an entertainment basis,” Terrence said.

As the arena continues to develop, the city will look to take advantage of the increased employment in and around

ILLUSTRATION BY ALLEN NGUYEN | THE SIGNAL

the stadium.

“We consider this particular accomplishment a catalyst to help with other contributions to the experience in our community,” Terrence said.

The economic gain the new arena hopes to generate may

be the catalyst for new economic opportunities in both the community and future employers in the city. The need for those in the hospitality field may also be a huge opportunity for students at Georgia State, currently studying in the hospitality field.

Men’s and women’s basketball featured at GSU Jam What does the event mean for the upcoming 2019-20 seasons?

ANDREW FREEDMAN Staff Reporter

O

n Sep. 30 in Downtown Atlanta, some Georgia State students were in the library, others were in their rooms or were working school night shifts. But for those who were in attendance at GSU Jam, they know: Basketball season is back.

About 30 minutes before the doors opened, there were numerous students, parents and alumni outside the front doors of GSU Sports Arena. Even with the departure of last season’s two best players — D’Marcus Simonds and Jeff Thomas — the Panther crowd was energetic, and the players took notice.

“They’re definitely going to be missed, but this year, we got a lot of chemistry going on, a new system, new coach, so we’re bringing new things and hopefully, we’ll get those wins coming back to us,” junior guard Kane Williams said.

Redshirt sophomore and DePaul University transfer Justin Roberts enjoyed performing in front of the Panthers faithful.

“It makes me feel good, you know,” he said. “I’m coming off of a redshirt season so I’m just happy to get back out

there.”

The night began with a high-flying collection of flips and pyramids from the GSU cheerleaders. Cheering on their friends, the students in the stands began to get fired up about the evening.

Minutes later, the mats were removed from the floor and the GSU Jam was underway, beginning with lively player introductions.

The women’s team kicked off intros, with each athlete repping a custom song. Jada Lewis, who was introduced to Meek Mill’s “Dreams and Nightmares,” spoke about her pregame music rituals.

“I listen to a lot of T.I.,” she said.

What’s more, the team chemistry was on full display.

“Man, we a family. Everybody gets along,” she said. “We genuinely love each other, so I think that’s [going to] help that we [are] closer than any other group I’ve been a part [of] here.”

The team gathered at halfcourt following the intros, many with their phones in hand, to capture the first highlight of their 2019-2020 season.

Following the women, the men were introduced.

Highlighted by Eliel Nsoseme carrying the flag of his native Democratioc Republic of the Congo on his back, the guys showed up for a party.

After the cheerleading squad garnered the attention of the crowd for a “We are… Georgia State” chant that echoed throughout the night, the three-point shootout began.

Women’s basketball freshman Kamryn Dziak and men’s basketball’s redshirt senior Damon Wilson spoiled the comeback hopes of freshman Moriah Taylor and redshirt junior Corey Allen.

Following the three-point shootout was a captivating dunk contest. Kavonte Ivery’s one-handed, under the rim slam got the crowd going and Nelson Phillips followed suit by dunking over Wilson.

However, redshirt sophomore JoJo Toppin shut the gym down by dunking over two of his teammates. The players swarmed the University of Georgia transfer as the crowd burst out into a frenzy. For the former Bulldog, he’s found a new home in Atlanta. “[The crowd’s energy] gives us a boost; it’ll even give us a boost in practice,” Toppin said. “They don’t even know what they just did for us, but it’s major. I think it’s going to be a good culture around here.”

The women’s team opens up their campaign against Tuskegee University on Oct. 29 and the men’s team opens up the following week, when Brewton Parker College comes to town on Nov. 6.

SPORTS

18

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM Georgia State v. Arkansas State Recap

Touchdown | 9:41 - 1st Punt | 9:41 - 1st Punt | 7:54 - 1st

Punt | 5:12 - 1st

Q1 Score

7-0

Running back Seth Paige tears through Arkansas State’s defense on Saturday, Oct. 5.

PHOTO BY ZACH BUTLER | THE SIGNAL

Panthers defeat Arkansas State 52-38

Touchdown | 8:56 - 2nd Touchdown | 8:00 - 2nd

The offensive masterclass broke multiple program records ESPEN INDRISANO Sports Editor

O

n a much-needed cooler, windy evening in Atlanta, the Georgia State Panthers entered Saturday’s Homecoming game in desperate need of a win. Coming off defeats to Western Michigan and Texas State, the matchup against the Arkansas State Red Wolves was arguably a must-win.

Birthday boy Dan Ellington had a career-best 382-yard passing performance and Destin Coates, fresh off his breakout performance against Texas State, added three rushing touchdowns of his own to help the team earn a 52-38 victory.

The team broke numerous offensive records, including a single-game schoolrecord 314 rushing yards, with a schoolrecord six rushing touchdowns, and 722 total yards.

The win was also the program’s first victory over Arkansas State in its history.

“You want to get some attention in this league? Go knock off that guy you have never touched before,” Elliott said.

For Elliott, the victory was a complete performance.

“It takes a team to win,” head coach Shawn Elliott said. “We certainly know where our [strengths and weaknesses] are we have to continue to develop those.”

The Panthers got off to a dream start.

After winning the coin toss, Elliott’s men elected to receive the ball first. Ellington and his offense wasted no time. The Panthers quickly found themselves in the lead. Tra Barnett’s three-yard touchdown run electrified the crowd and helped the team make an early statement of intent. The senior finished with 141 total rushing yards on the night.

Looking to capitalize on the early momentum, the defense, which has been a major worry in the past few weeks, also found a dream start. Terry Thomas’ key tackle on third down helped the unit record a confidence-building three-and-out.

After the defense recorded its second straight stop of the quarter, Ellington

marched his men down the field, hoping to put the momentum to good use. With the ball on Arkansas State’s 37-yard line, coach Elliott made his first major play call of the evening. On fourth-and-two, the Panthers went for it. Ellington’s six-yard run was more than enough for the first down as the first quarter came to an end.

Soon after, Destin Coates found the endzone. The sophomore running back scampered home from 27-yards out to help give the Panthers a 14-0 lead.

Seth Paige became the third Georgia State running back to find the endzone on the ensuing drive. The Panthers passing game was on full display during the 80-yard drive, as the team took a 21-0 lead with 8:56 to go in the first half.

“There is such a balance in [our] offense,” Elliott said. “Whether it is running the football or throwing the football, I see it everyday in practice.”

In desperate need of a response, Arkansas State found themselves on the Georgia State 33-yard line after a 42-yard catch by Jonathan Adams. Two plays later, Blake Anderson’s men solidified the drive.

Quarterback Layne Hatcher found Kirk Merritt from 24-yards out to make the score 21-7 and pull back within two scores.

Brandon Wright, who missed two key field goals against Texas State, confidently kicked a 43-yard field goal through the uprights on the following possession, pushing the Panthers’ lead to 24-7.

The Arkansas State offense was beginning to feel itself, though. Hatcher found Omar Bayless with a 46-yard pass to begin the ensuing drive and Marcel Murray found the endzone with a 28-yard run two plays later. The home crowd began to show a bit of nerves.

Ellington helped calm those nerves on the next drive. The first half had developed into a shootout of epic proportions. The senior found Sam Pinckney with an 11-yard pass to push the Panthers lead to 31-14 with 1:38 to go.

The Red Wolves continued to click on all cylinders, though. Hatcher found Merritt in the endzone to make the score 31-21. The half soon came to a close.

The Panthers made a high-flying start

Touchdown | 14:55 - 2nd Punt | 1 4:55 - 2nd

to the second half proceedings. Ellington capped off a six-play, 90-yard drive with a 10-yard running touchdown to improve the team’s lead to 38-21.

A few minutes later, the defense re-gained their swagger. Jonathan Ifedi recorded an interception, sending Elliott and the Georgia State sideline into a jubilant celebration.

Penalties halted the Panthers next drive, however, and the team was unable to capitalize on the newfound second half momentum.

As the third quarter came to an end, Arkansas State had clawed their way back to a ten point, 38-28 deficit. The Panthers’ secondary was beginning to show signs of serious leaks, yet again.

The Red Wolves, who continued to battle, found the endzone with 10:30 to go and made the score 38-35. Suddenly, the atmosphere was sucked out of Georgia State Stadium. Belief began to resonate from the Arkansas State sideline. Was a dramatic comeback on the cards?

Elliott’s men ensured that was not the case. Ellington, who’s leadership and poise shined throughout the contest, led his offensive unit on an eight-play, 75-yard drive, eventually ending with a one-yard score from Coates. The score set up a grandstand finish for those who remained inside the stadium.

When asked if there was any birthday present better than a Homecoming win, Ellington’s answer was simple.

“There is not [a better present],” he said, with a beaming smile across his face.

The Red Wolves refused to go down without a fight, but the clock was their ultimate downfall. After a 44-yard field goal by Blake Grupe cut the deficit to 4538, Barnett all but sealed the contest. The senior’s two carries, including a 56-yard burst, led to the game-winning touchdown, courtesy of Destin Coates, who scored his third touchdown of the contest.

“The [offensive line] was doing a great and phenomenal job,” Barnett said. “I have a lot of faith in me and the running backs.”

The 52-38 win revived what was beginning to feel like another lost season for many.

Touchdown | 5:44 - 2nd Touchdown | 4:40 - 2nd

Touchdown | 1:38 - 2nd

Q2 Score

24-21

Touchdown | 0:47 - 2nd Missed Field Goal | 0:00 - 2nd Punt | 15:00

Touchdown | 10:26 Interception | 10:26 - 3rd

Touchdown | 4:21 - 3rd Punt | 4:21 - 3rd Punt | 3:21 - 3rd

Q3 Score

7-7

Punt | 15:00 - 4th

Touchdown | 10:30 - 4th

Touchdown | 6:30 - 4th Field Goal | 4:27 - 4th

Touchdown | 2:05 - 4th Interception | 2:05 - 4th Q4 Score

14-10

Final Score

Georgia State Arkansas State

52

38

MEET THE SIGNAL STAFF DANIEL VARITEK Editor-in-Chief

DEVIN PHILLIPS Creative Director

WILL SOLOMONS Managing Editor

Q: What’s your favorite quote?

A: “A leader is best when people barely know he exists. When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say, ‘We did it ourselves.’” — Lao Tzu

Q: What’s your go-to karaoke song?

A: “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton or “It Wasn’t Me” by Shaggy

Q: What’s your favorite quote?

A: “That’s a nice boulder.”

IRA LIVNAT Director of Business Operations

ADA WOOD News Editor

BEN COLETTA Associate News Editor

Q: If you could have anyone for a mentor, who would it be?

A: Marcus Tullius Cicero

SHARI CELESTINE Opinions Editor

Q: What’s your favorite quote?

A: “You did not come this far to only come this far.”

Q: What’s your favorite quote?

A: “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

KENNETH LOCKETT III Associate Opinions Editor

BRIA SUGGS Arts & Living Editor

Q: What’s your favorite quote?

A: “Tend to the people, and they will tend to the business.”

— John Maxwell

Q: If you could have anyone for a mentor, who would it be?

A: My Lord and Savior Beyoncé

ESPEN INDRISANO Sports Editor

MIRO GEORGIEV Copy Editor

Q: What are the top three things on your bucket list?

A: Travel to Chengdu, China, skydive and win an Emmy

Q: What’s your go-to karaoke song?

A: “Love You Like A Love Song” by Selena Gomez & The Scene

NADIA MOHAMMED Production Editor

UNIQUE RODRIQUEZ Photo Editor

Q: If you could have anyone for a mentor, who would it be?

A: Oprah

Q: What are the top three things on your bucket list?

A: Visit the Great Barrier Reef, learn Spanish and visit Africa

MATT SICILIANOSALAZAR Associate Photo Editor

WILL HOLLEY Digital Editor

ALICIA OWENS Video Editor

Q: If you could have anyone for a mentor, who would it be?

A:Thomas the Tank Engine

Q: What’s the most useless talent you have?

A: I have a killer Stitch impression

Q: What’s your go-to karaoke song?

A: “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z

DANIELLA BOIK Associate Arts & Living Editor Q: What’s your go-to karaoke song?

A: “Promiscuous” by Nelly Fartado or “Gold Digger” by Kanye West

Q: If you could have anyone for a mentor, who would it be?

A: @rayscorruptedmind

JULIA PEAKE Associate Video Editor Q: What’s the most useless talent you have?

A: I can fall asleep anywhere, at anytime