Edutainment: A Madison Avenue Interview Pt. 1
As part of our ongoing research at Edutainment Today, we were able to get public relations professional Rebecca Landeros to discuss our ongoing research topic of Edutainment and Convergence: How Entertainment Techniques Can Be Utilized in Higher Education. This interview is a condensed version of a series of interviews that will appear in this blog. Now, let’s get on with the interview!
E2D:
Can you tell us your name, your age and your occupation? Are you single or married?
RL:
My name is Rebeca Landeros and I’m 30 yrs. young. I’m currently broadcast production coordinator at a multicultural ad agency in NYC. I’m currently single .E2D:
Can you tell us what college you attended and did you graduate?
RL:
I attended the University of TX at San Antonio from which I graduated from.
E2D:
What course of study did you receive your degree?
RL:
My degree is a BA in Communications with a Minor in General Business.
E2D:
I understand that there have been changes in your employment status and residence since our last formal interview, can you tell us where you live now and what is the name of your employer?
RL:
As stated before, I now live in NYC and was recruited from TX by an agency called GlobalHue.
E2D:
What do you specifically do in your capacity at your place of employment?
RL:
I oversee and coordinate all ongoing and upcoming productions for the broadcast production department. I help or manage productions ranging anywhere from 30K to 1million dollars. In addition I also act as associate producer on specific productions. My formal promotion to associate producer is due within the next 2 months!
E2D:
Have you met anyone new in your life romantically?
RL:
Yes, shortly upon my move to NYC I met a wonderful Brazilian man who also happens to be in advertising.
E2D:
How has your extended family dealt with your relocation to New York City?
RL:
My family is very happy for me because they knew i wanted to move to NYC, and although we now see each other less often they’ve come to visit when they can or I do the same over major holidays. It’s been 10 yrs. since I moved from them the first time so they were already accustomed
E2D:
New York is both the financial and artistic center of live entertainment in the world, how does it feel to have made it to the mecca of entertainment?
RL:
NY is amazing. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be here and I do my best to soak up the surrondings at all times. There is so much to see and experience that you have to try and jump in and be a part of whatever you come accross that you enjoy, find rewarding or can learn from.
E2D:
Do you ever plan on returning to Texas to live or work?
RL:
Not anytime soon but perhaps down the line. I hope to one day purchase property in Austin, TX. I can’t see myself living anywhere else in TX anymore. After NY I’d be bored out of my mind!
E2D:
What do you see yourself doing professionally in the next two to three years?
RL:
I’ll most likely still be producing for an ad agency. Hopefully by then as a Senior Producer.
E2D:
Do you plan on getting married and having children or remaining dedicated primarily to your career?
RL:
For the meantime, I need to focus on building my career and enjoying my relationship. Although I can see myself marrying (or perhaps living with someone) and having children within the next 4-6 years. For my own piece of mind, I’d have to continue working freelance while raising any children. I very much enjoy my career.
E2D:
Do you plan on attending graduate school?
RL:
Not likely and not too necessary in my field. The way to learn it is by practice. I would however be interested in continuing education courses that may be of gain in my career. There are many wonderful schools in NY.
E2D:
Who influenced your decision to get into this field?
RL:
The first person to ever mention production to me was you:Chris Heidelberg. I guess I came across as someone with great communication and organizational skills and you mentioned to me that you thought with proper training I could be a great producer some day. I was in college at the time pursuing my degree in Business when I made the switch to Communications!
E2D:
Has it been difficult adjusting to New York as a Hispanic of Mexican origin since New York consists primarily of Hispanics of Caribbean origin?
RL:
Yes that defenitely came as a shock to me. I’m pleasantly surprised at the amount of Latinos and their respect for one another in this melting pot of a city. But I’ve managed to meet many wonderful Mexicans here as well
E2D:
This is my last question for this interview.
Do you see edutainment and convergence as a bridge to assisting bi-lingual students mainstream in America in academic areas such as science and engineering which currently lacks substantial minority representation?
RL:
If edutainment can serve as a useful stepping stone to bi-lingual students then I’m all for it. I’m all for it now and thing it serves as a tool regardless of the language issue. Not all students learn the same. What works for one may not for another and being able to offer alternate methods of education can only increase students success rates.
Copyright Chris A. Heidelberg III 2007
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