Mark Fogarty: Getting in Touch with your Inner Genius
by Ben Gross
Everyone has an “inner genius,” a uniquely personal skill set that enables them to stand out from the crowd and shine. Mark Fogarty, an editor with New York based SourceMedia, recently delivered this message to a group of students at Grady High School in Atlanta.
Fogarty discussed a slate of ideas and issues, ranging from stories of his own past to experiences and insights he has gained as an editor for a nationwide trade magazine. He told the students that finding one’s first job and the process of sending out resumes is in large part a number’s game – he told the students that when he was looking for a job, he sometimes had to send out upwards of 100 resumes before receiving an interview, and then only for every ten interviews would he receive a job offer. His message: don’t get discouraged by rejection, because it’s all but inevitable, just keep at it.
Fogarty talked to the students about the increasingly fast rate of change in today’s world. As an example, he quoted the Atlanta based band Outkast and their song, “Hey Ya,” which features the lyrics, “Shake it like a Polaroid picture,” telling the students that someday soon, high school students may have no idea what a Polaroid picture is, now that the Polaroid instant camera has been discontinued. He further gave an example from his own industry, telling the students that in the not-too-distant future, high school students may not even know what a newspaper is – considering how quickly e-media is growing!
Amidst his suggestions to stay enthusiastic and dedicated in spite of rejection and change, Fogarty continued to return to the idea of the inner genius. Fogarty told the students that they all have a special talent to contribute to the world, and he stated that in his experience, so long as one works hard, pursues what they enjoy, surrounds themselves with people who give them positive energy, and continues to hone their talents (all of which amount to bolstering the inner genius), anyone and everyone can change the world.
- After listening to you presentation, I have a better understanding of journalism and how important it is to our society.
- Thank you for coming all this way from New York just to speak to us.
- I think that journalism sounds like an interesting career to have and I might want to do that in the future.
- I found your presentation very interesting and beneficial because I plan on majoring in communications for college.
- I thank you with all my heart for the inspiration that you gave to us.
- I loved your presentation, especially the giving away of the Kindle even thought I didn’t win it.
- Thank you for all the advice and for taking the time out to come and speak.
- I want to start a better life so I can become some one just like you.