Why to Work in Big City Education - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 7 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares why he enjoys working in big city education. Epstein compares his current charter school experience to earlier career time with Teach for America and how both have created national movements. He enjoys being part of the public charter school movement innovating classroom education. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How Passionate Peers Shape Charter School Culture - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 6 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares how passionate peers provide everyday motivation and pushes him to achieve more. Epstein, who left a record label to return to education, finds the culture of commitment hone his purpose to work toward getting more and more students into college. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How No Excuse Rules Create Culture of Accountability - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 5 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein notes how charter schools create a culture of accountability by subscribing to the No Excuses Movement. The movement requires parents, teachers, and students to participate and to be held accountable to high standards. Epstein learns about the No Excuses Movement as a Teach for America educator at Kipp Academy Charter School in New York City. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Why Do Charter Schools Attract Aspiring Entrepreneurs - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 4 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein discusses the charter school business model, its foundation in accountability and why it attracts aspiring entrepreneurs. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How Charter School Job Interview Process Improves Recruiting - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 3 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares what the Democracy Prep Charter School job interview process has taught him about more effective recruiting. Epstein notes that teachers are traditionally given demo lessons as part of the interview. This is typical across the industry. Democracy Prep also requires a demo lesson for non-instructional positions. This helps the school sort out skills qualification and ability to get things done. Additionally the school focuses not on industry experience but on professionalism and an ability to get things done. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How Charter School Movement Creates MBA Jobs in Education - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 2 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares why he left his corporate finance job at Island Def Jam Records for a charter school finance director role. Epstein considers the move a sort of homecoming, as previous to Island Def Jam he was a Teach for America teacher. He notes how the charter schools are attracting highly passionate and educated candidates from traditional corporate career paths. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How to Use Middle School Teaching Skills in Corporate Finance Job - Andrew Epstein

In Chapter 1 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, charter school executive Andrew Epstein shares how his 7th and 8th grade teaching experience has made him a more effective finance professional. His 7th and 8th graders teach Epstein the value of improvisation, focus, and composure in finance roles both at Island Def Jam and currently at Democracy Prep Public Schools. Epstein is currently Senior Director for Finance at Democracy Prep Public Schools in New York City. Previously, he was a finance executive at Universal Music Group's Island Def Jam Records and, previous to that, a schoolteacher in the Teach for America Corps program. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

How to Make TV Content Mobile and Social Media Friendly - Mark Graham

In Chapter 19 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, editor and writer Mark Graham shares how he is finding his digital media experience useful working at the VH1 television network. As content consumption. Learning how television works helps Graham find better ways to improve user experience and content consumption across various platforms, including web, mobile, and social media. Graham is an editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

How Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber Made Music Videos Popular Again - Mark Graham

In Chapter 18 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, editor and writer Mark Graham shares how Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga helped the music video entertainment medium regain popularity after a several year downturn. Over that period, consumer appetite for music grew and Bieber and Gaga embraced the opportunity, creating and releasing short, visually engaging music videos across online video platforms including YouTube. Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

How to Tell Better Entertainment News Stories - Mark Graham

In Chapter 17 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, editor and writer Mark Graham shares his process for determining the appropriate storytelling medium for online entertainment news and events. When attacking a story, Graham first focuses on the story essence - what is the story, where is it going, where it originates. He then thinks about the readership preferences and the available media options - video, pictures, long-form writing, short-form blogs - he can use. For example, Graham notes how red carpet events are very visual so video and pictures take precedence over writing. Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

How Red Carpet Celebrity Interviews Make Career More Meaningful - Mark Graham

In Chapter 16 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, editor and writer Mark Graham shares what he enjoys most about working red carpet events. Shortly after joining VH1, Graham gets his first red carpet experience at the Critics Choice Music Awards helping on-air correspondents cover the event. During the event Graham gets firsthand experience with nearly 25 celebrity interviews. Graham compares this personal connection with his experience interviewing celebrities on the phone over the course of his media career. Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

How TV Network and Print Magazine Digital Content Roles Differ - Mark Graham

In Chapter 15 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, editor and writer Mark Graham contrasts working in digital content at a television network with one in print magazine publishing. Graham notes how television industry resourses - producers, editors, camerapeople - allow for original content creation for online platforms. Additionally, Graham finds it easier to generate original TV, web, and mobile content given the increased access to talent. Combined, these options provide Graham resources he and his team uses to create more compelling online content experiences. Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

How Entertainment Writer Defines and Measures Success - Mark Graham

In Chapter 14 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, editor and writer Mark Graham shares how he defines success personally and professionally in his pop culture writing for the Internet. Graham notes traditional metrics - unique page views, comment volume, social media sharing - as well as larger, more personal work - are you proud of your work, are other people talking about your work, are you trying something new. He notes this is incredibly important writing for television, as each new season offers new opportunities to try new storytelling and writing angles. Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

How Friendly Peer Competition Motivates Writing Career - Mark Graham

In Chapter 13 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, editor and writer Mark Graham how his Internet writing peers provide friendly competition and motivate him to improve. Graham enjoys reading friends' articles critically to not only provide feedback but also to inform his own development and ideas. He also how peers motivate and inspire him on story turnaround time. In his new editor role, Graham looks beyond individual writing pieces to more a body of work, how and when it was laid out, and how it resonated with viewers and fans. Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

How Peer Support Makes Internet Writing Career More Fulfilling - Mark Graham

In Chapter 12 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, editor and writer Mark Graham details how peer Internet writer support has helped him develop professionally. Peer support provides Graham initial confidence to leave a marketing job at General Motors for a blogging role at VH1. Over time, the online writing and blogging community provides the encouragement, counsel, and feedback to help Graham improve and develop as a writer and, now, an editor. Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

How to Mentor Young Internet Writers - Mark Graham

In Chapter 11 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, editor and writer Mark Graham shares what he has learned about mentoring young Internet writers in his own senior editor role. First, he sits down with writers and reviews past work, given a draft review philosophy is often difficult in the deadline driven environment. Open and honest communication is critical and grounded by building trust. That time invested helps Graham differentiate where a young writer may need counseling and where they need encouragement. He finds some writers are better developing ideas and stories, whereas others need support finishing ideas. Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

How Mentoring Little Brother Builds Coaching Skills - Mark Graham

In Chapter 10 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, pop culture writer and editor Mark Graham shares how mentoring his little brother's development as a writer has provided him meaningful, transferable feedback and insight he uses to coach and mentor writers at work. Graham provides encouragement to identify ways his younger brother - a pop culture writer at the Detroit News - can find new ways to leverage his voice, build a following, and develop professionally. Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.

How Little Brother Helps Big Brother Develop Writing Career - Mark Graham

In Chapter 9 of 19 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, pop culture writer and editor Mark Graham shares how his little brother's support and encouragement has made him a better writer. Graham's younger brother, a freelance music writer and Detroit News pop culture writer, actively seeks ways to support his big brother. Trust begets mutual admiration and respect and provides a safe place where the pair can openly share criticism and feedback. This continuous sharing leads to idea exploration and potential collaboration. Mark Graham is currently a senior editor at MTV Networks. Previously he worked in editing and writing roles at New York Magazine and Gawker Media. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English.