Hello, my name is Malcolm Stidham. I'm a senior here at the Mount as a Communication major with a focus in Broadcast Journalism. Usually, most people come to school because they want to be a doctor, professor, lawyer, or business owner. Then there’s me who wants to become a professional wrestler.
It’s always a strange thing to say during an icebreaker session, but that's fine. Sure, there’s always a lot of questions as people remember the days they used to watch WWE as a child growing up, but then there’s me: I never quite outgrew that love. I'm married to the idea of becoming a wrestler.
I didn't decide to come to Mount St. Mary’s University to be a WWE Superstar. Surprisingly there’s no class on “How to be John Cena.” The Mount is the best and nearest school to where I train in Baltimore, MCW Pro Wrestling. The commute isn't too long and the education here is perfect for my interest. I’m heavily invested in the media and combining this with professional wrestling gave birth to my YouTube channel.
I’ve been making wrestling videos on YouTube since I was 12-years-old. I wouldn't say I was great in the beginning, but nowadays my early experience is starting to pay off. This past year, I focused solely on interviewing professional wrestlers which has opened doors for me. I’ve become a backstage interviewer for promotion in North Carolina, and I’ve spoken to wrestlers in all major companies including WWE Hall of Famers. This has been the best run I’ve had on YouTube ever. I plan on keeping this forward momentum as I graduate and begin to send portfolios to wrestling companies about jobs and other media outlets including Complex Networks.
I decided to take this class to improve my writing skills and to serve as a way to express what it has meant to have been a Mount student. The theme I want to focus on for the blog is picking the right friends for college. So many times, students go to school and get lost in the wrong crowd or surround themselves with people that tear them down rather than build them up. As we’re all away from our families and friends, it's important who we surround ourselves with daily has our best interest at heart and vice versa. I’ve had a few shifts in the crowds I decided to be friends with here in college and through those changes, I’ve found myself in what are becoming the healthiest friendships I’ve ever had in my life.
Check back next week to read more about healthy friendships as I wrap up my final semester at the Mount. And make sure to take a look at what my classmates are posting as we share our view of MSMU!