Emily Profile by Patrick McGinn

Parker Profile- Patrick McGinn

Stale coffee, overcrowded buses and bright fluorescent lights. Yes it’s that time

of the year again where we pretend to be scholars and slog through another semester. But

this isn’t just another semester for Grady graduate student, Emily Parker, it’s her first.

Parker, a 22-year-old native of Jacksonville, Fla., received her bachelor’s degree in telecommunications from the University of Florida just this past spring. The broadcasting industry isn’t where she attends to stake her future though.

“I was offered a production job at a news station in Jacksonville, but there was little chance I’d get paid a decent salary and I don’t think that’s where my future lies.”

She applied to Auburn, the University of Florida and the University of Georgia for graduate school, but knew she needed a change.

“Gainesville was great for four years, but I really think Athens has a lot more to offer for me.”

A major influence in guiding her career path was her mother, Susan, who already held a senior corporate communication position at World Medical, a medical supplier based out of Jacksonville. She not only considers her “the best mom in the world”, but reveres her for balancing a full-time career and spending any spare time with her.

Ironically enough, Donna Deegan, who happens to be one of the most famous news anchors in the Jacksonville market graduated with her mother from high school 35 years ago. She and Deegan have a personal and professional friendship that allows her enormous insight into the cutthroat and ever-diminishing world of local television. She understands how critical their guidance has been leading up to this point.

When she’s not trying to be overloaded by four graduate level classes, she’ll more than likely be running.

“That’s my idea of a perfect day, waking up early in the morning and running on the beach. Followed by a whole day of laying out in the sun, with a beverage or two perhaps.”

She also plays tennis recreationally and when she is back home she loves to fish on St. John’s River, meandering through the heart of Jacksonville. As much as she already loves Athens, she will definitely miss the hundreds of sun drenched beaches lining Florida’s Atlantic coast.

Parker is very organized and can’t stand people who aren’t operating on her same neat wavelength.

“I don’t know if I could date someone who had a messy room, it would drive me crazy!”

She also has a penchant for drinking Diet Coke. Aspartame aside, she doesn’t see herself kicking the habit anytime soon.

“I drink Diet Coke like it’s going to be gone tomorrow, it’s pretty bad.”

She has some reservations about taking four graduate courses this semester, but figures she might as well get it out of the way in her first semester.

“I don’t want to be stuck in graduate school forever, so the more classes I take now, the sooner I’ll be able to get my degree.”

There’s really only one tough question Parker has to answer. Who will she pull for at the world’s largest cocktail party, (The UGA vs. UF football game in Jacksonville). She might be conflicted about the answer but knows that this is where she needs to be in her life.