For students who think their last semester of college will be their easiest -- think again.
For Allison Bratcher, a radio and television major, it has been anything but easy. Bratcher, who turned 23 on Sunday, transferred to SF State from Los Angeles Valley College two years ago soon after she changed her major from speech.
"I decided to go to San Francisco State because it has one of the best broadcasting departments in California as far as state schools go," Bratcher said.
She said she took as many units possible prior to her last semester at SF State because she wanted her last semester to be as easy as possible. But her workload both in and out of school this semester has made it her busiest.
"I wanted to get involved in community service work, I wanted to get some really good production work done so when I graduated, I'd have some really good video tapes to show and I wanted to produce a show on my own, with some friends, and all those things put together made a lot of work," said Bratcher who is carrying 12 units this semester.
Friends and employers said Bratcher's energy and outgoing personality contributes to her motivation to achieve.
Bratcher recently returned from two-and-a-half week trip in Utah working as an intern for MTV's Eco-Challenge, a highly competitive endurance race between teams that have to survive in the desert for up to 10 days by completing different tasks throughout 300 miles of rugged terrain.
"She's one of our best volunteers and she is so great and easy to get along with," Lisa Hennessy, Eco-Challenge's race manager said. Last summer, Bratcher interned with Eco-Challenge in Los Angeles making preparations for the race.
From the trip this year, she said she established good connections with the people who work at Eco-Challenge. She also said the trip helped her learn more about the program so she could decide whether or not it's something she would be interested in pursuing after she graduates.
Bratcher had to take time off from many other commitments to be able to join the MTV crew in Utah. She said that the hardest part about the trip was the time commitment.
"I knew I'd miss a lot of school so I tried to make up for it before I left. It was a smart move because it was well worth the experience."
She also filmed her own short comedy skit and plans to film similar skits so she can create a demo tape to sell to cable channels to promote her work.
Broadcasting and electronic communication arts' Television Center News class has given her valuable experience and made it possible for her to put together news stories for cable Channel 49.
On Bay Area Focus, one of the broadcasting department's cable shows she worked on this semester, Bratcher produced "Positive Alternatives," that explored alternatives available to young adults who want to stay away from drugs and crime.
Other shows she has worked on include how Hollywood is migrating to San Francisco and the controversial Republican Contract With America is affecting American youth.
"The best thing about this class is the awesome experience, but at the same time it's the most frustrating," said Bratcher.
Bratcher works 10 hours a week at the Stonestown YMCA as a lifeguard and once a week she teaches children between the ages of three and 13 how to swim.
The YMCA is where Bratcher learned about Edgewood Childrens Center, a school and home for troubled children. Some of the children from the center go to the YMCA to swim. Now, she is a volunteer at Edgewood, too.
"I knew the kids when they'd come and swim at the Y' a lot, and I just have a strong attraction toward kids, especially kids who have problems."
One dream she said she has always had is to work for a country radio station.
Last month, her dream came true when she was hired in promotions at San Francisco's KSAN. The job was originally an internship until KSAN decided to cut its intern program. Then, KSAN hired Bratcher as a promotions employee.
"I get to do what I enjoy and I get paid to listen to country music and go to country bars," Bratcher said.
In addition to producing television shows, volunteering, working, and interning, Bratcher also is the operations manager for SF State's radio station, KSFS.
"She's very dedicated and enthusiastic. The level of dedication to her work is inspiring," Brian Huen, program director of KSFS said.
She plans to work in the city after graduation, return to Los Angeles in August, and plans to travel in Europe for a month toward the end of the summer. She hopes to get a job in Los Angeles after returning from Europe.
"I think my connection up here could really help me get connected down there," Bratcher said.
When she returns from Europe, she said she wouldn't mind working for either MTV again or KSAN's sister station in Los Angeles and eventually would like to end up in New York.