AlumAvenue: Interview with Chris Dunlap

“The best advice I can give is to grind”. Featured is the second installment of the AlumAvenue interviews with recent college graduates. Last month, we heard from Sam Land who shared his thoughts on how society views recent grads not as people, but as workers. This month, we hear from Chris Dunlap as he expresses his life as a post graduate and he tells us about his post grad business.

 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: Hey Chris, how are things?
 
Chris: Things are good. You know me, no complaint. Too blessed to do so
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: Are you missing the stress from college?
 
Chris: *chuckles* is that a joke. Not at all
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: What college did you graduate from and what year?
 
Chris: Bowie State University and Spring 2016
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: Okay. You have been out for almost 18 months. Let’s go back and make our way to your current life. Describe to me your internal and external feeling from when you shook your dean’s hand as they handed you your diploma?
 
Chris: Alright. So that moment itself I felt proud and excited. One because I really don’t know how big of a deal it is until we walked into the arena. I felt proud because after all I had done, especially my senior year.
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: Tell us what happened during your senior year heading toward becoming an American post graduate?
 
Chris: Taking my daughter to class with me, having to go see the registrar so I could get the classes I need and it almost not happening. Then once I got the class I needed (a 12 credit co-op course) I missed an assignment that I needed to pass the class, but my professor (Ms. Price aka my hero) gave me grace and allowed me to turn it in late. Along with the daily hustle and bustle of working at a tv station, being a husband, father, and being a college student, it was a blessing to get that degree and can say I did it.
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: Wow. You were quite a busy man. I would expect your daughter and wife was there to share in this special moment in your life. What was the look on your face when looking at them while stage. Also, congrats.
 
Chris: Thanks! We had already had the excitement celebrations because I had found out a few weeks before that I was cleared for graduation, and my daughter was with me when I picked up my cap and gown lol. (Side note: She’s the only baby I know to go to college *chuckles*) More importantly, what made it best for me was for my daughter to see it and have that engraved in her memory so she knows she can do it too. And it encouraged my wife, who had some financial issues with her collegiate schooling, to keep pushing. It really strengthened our family now that I think about it. You ask great questions.
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: Thanks, Chris. Did people look down on you? Saying things like you weren’t going to become a college graduate because of all the obstacles in front of you. You became a father to your daughter at the age of 20, did at any time you think it might jeopardize your life after graduating.
 
Chris: No, no one looked down on me. If they did, then it didn’t matter to me. I was too busy grinding to notice or care, you know. I didn’t think my daughter would jeopardize my post-grad life in any way. What I thought was that if I don’t graduate in the Spring of 2016, being a college student will get in the way of me being the best father I could be. Bowie’s Communication/Broadcast Journalism program was setup in such as an amazing way, that I had a job before I graduated (started as a college intern). I know school would be in the way the older she got and I knew that if I didn’t graduate when I did, either my marriage, my daughter, or my career would suffer because of that. I was not going to let that happen. That’s why I worked so hard to get it done. By the Grace of God and Him opening a lot of doors, everything was all good.
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: Well answered. You didn’t experience the anxiety post graduates usually have?
 
Chris: No, Like I said, thanks to God and Bowie State, I already had a job in my career field, and was in the early stages of my sports broadcast network career, which I currently do now. After I graduated, a few weeks later I was in a production of my Network’s flagship show. I had already gained some of the skills and connections needed to be successful at that time. I felt prepared to be great after I graduated. That’s why I didn’t have any anxiety.
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: Would you say it is because of luck or perseverance that you are a successful post grad?
 
Chris: Blessings and perseverance. I believe that God is faithful to those who endure to the end (meaning, the end of whatever you are going through). I know that if I just keep pushing, keep grinding, keep my mind set on God, everything is going to be better than great.
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: But earlier in this interview you said your professor allowed you to turn in an important late assignment that determined your clearance for graduation. If she had not allowed you to turn in the late assignment, would you have been able to continue to reap the benefits your major provided and considered a successful post graduate?
 
Chris: Yes, I would’ve been about to continue to be a successful post graduate. It just would be “Chris Dunlap, the successful post graduate in the Summer of 2016 or Fall of 2016.”
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: You seem kind of disappointed about your last sentence. It was luck that helped you graduate on time.
 
Chris: I would’ve been disappointed, I would’ve gotten it done regardless. It’s not about when you graduate, but that you graduate. No, not luck, but blessings and perseverance. The professor that allowed me to submit the late assignment had been working with me for about 2 years before that. I was honest with her about missing the assignment, and she knew that from past experiences with me, everything I did was done in the spirit of excellence. Plus, she knew that I was working and a father. So, she decided to give me grace.
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: When I say on time I mean the time you desired to graduate. Now let’s move to your current life as a post grad. Are you currently employed in your job field?
 
Chris: Yes, I am. Currently I am self-employed. I am the Founder/Producer of The Chris That Sports Dude network. Also, I do freelance work depending on what my schedule provides.
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: Okay, would you say that life after college has been great?
 
Chris: Yes, it has. My network has taken off, I’ve learned a lot of new skills and perfected ones that I had already. The best thing is that I found my niche. For a while I kind of did what others wanted me to do, which wasn’t far off of what I was already doing, but now I’m doing exactly what I want to do.
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: Did you do what others wanted you to do after graduating?
 
Chris: Let me rephrase. I more so did what I thought I was supposed to do and what I knew was available. I didn’t take the leap until now.
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: Do you think your major department at Bowie State helped you in your transition process after graduating? Also, what has inspired you to take the leap now? When did you realize this about yourself?
 
Chris: Yes, Bowie State helped in a tremendous way. Right now, just seemed right. I had a hunger to revamp my network and take off. I already knew it. The opportunities presented themselves for me to do my own thing and I jumped at it.
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: Great. If Bowie State did not provide you with these resources do you think you would have landed a job after college? Also, if Bowie State did not provide these opportunities would you still have been submissive to authority as far as not thinking about your goals?
 
Chris: No, I don’t. Bowie State sets up everyone to be successful, if one applies themselves. In every class, think about goals and what I want to be a topic at one point or another.
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: I’m talking about if you didn’t attend Bowie State. When did you realize you was not putting your hopes and dreams first but rather putting others first?
 
Chris: Oh yes. If I hadn’t attended Bowie State, I don’t think I would’ve had the same opportunities. I realized that while I was at my old job. I want to do sports, but they were not a sports network. Though the job was enjoyable and I learned skills and had big time opportunities, I didn’t get a chance to do what I wanted to on a regular basis. Great questions by the way.
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: Thanks. Has the ongoing need to withhold yourself from what you wanted been an issue since you were a child? I would assume that because this issue occurred in your post grad life, then it may have been always there. Also, almost costing you living your dreams and being a true example for your baby daughter and wife.
 
Chris: As I mentioned, I didn’t really withhold myself from doing what I wanted, I did what I thought I was supposed to be doing and what I knew was available.
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: This would be withholding yourself. Let’s say you still remained in this mindset and you still worked at the television station. Would you be hindering yourself from doing sports television, which is what you love.
 
Chris: Yes, because this station was not a sports network.
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: Glad we could agree. How long working as a post grad did you realize you were not catering to your desired dream or career? I mean someone like you used to think that they must do what they are supposed to do. Some people spend their whole lives thinking like this.
 
Chris: I don’t agree that I was withholding myself from my career. You can’t withhold yourself from something you don’t know is there. I was answering the question.
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: But you had to feel that you weren’t living your dream after college. Yes, I understand it but what about the emptiness you must have felt everyday as you came to work in a field of television that was not your desired occupation.
 
Chris: I always knew what I wanted to do. Prior to graduation I already had a foot in the door. Once I was no longer there. I applied for television jobs in the sports media until I decided to focus solely on my network.
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: During your time working at the television station, did you truly feel like a successful post grad student? I mean you knew that you weren’t working in your desired field.
 
Chris: No, no emptiness. I always had a plan and was constantly growing in my craft wherever I was. In addition, I am also a part of my church’s AV Ministry (now leader), so I had opportunities to grow although I wasn’t doing the exact thing I wanted. These jobs and positions were preparation for what I am doing now.
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: I understand. Even though your experience of being a post- grad has been different than some, how would you say society treats college graduates?
 
Chris: I believe I was successful. Unfortunately, majority of the grads don’t have jobs in their desired field and some don’t have jobs at all. So, having the opportunities I had, I believe made me a successful post grad, and have propelled me to where I am. From my experiences, if you are professional, work hard, and have the skills you need to be successful in the career you desire to be in, I believe society treats college grads just fine. The job market can be tough to navigate, but you must know how to network and put yourself in positions to be successful.
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: Do you have any regrets while working as a post grad?
 
Chris: Not at all. Every experience, good or indifferent was a learning experience. If things hadn’t happened how they did, I would not be doing what I am doing. Which I am very happy and thrilled to do.
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: Okay, as an 18-month post grad do you have any advice for other post grads that did not have the same opportunities as you or any current college student?
 
Chris: The best advice I can give is to grind. Whatever it is that you do, be the best you can be. No, you won’t be perfect, because no one is. But, be the best, you that you can be. Also, take every opportunity that you can to help you in the pursuit of your desired goals. Each opportunity and experience can help you grow, and we should always be growing. As professionals and as people. Lastly, here’s a quote from 11-Time WWE World Champion Edge, “Figure out what you wanna be and go be it.”
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: Great advice. Before we wrap up where can we catch episodes from your network Chris That Sports Dude?
 
Chris: You can check us out on Youtube at youtube.com/c/TheChrisThatSportsDudeNetwork
 
Gabrielle Alexandra Smith: Okay. Well it has been as pleasure talking with you Chris. I wish you the best in your network and your endeavors to come. Thanks.
 
Chris: Thank you Gabby, it’s been as pleasure talking with you.