Breaking ground

While some go to college to pursue one specific goal or career path, others juggle two of their passions equally in hopes of breaking new ground.

Floyd Linzie standing outside of the dance
center before his intermediate
modern class. Photo Credit: Nichole Hamilton

Floyd Linzie, 23, is a first year transfer student at CSULB. While journalism is his set major, Linzie also hopes to audition to enter the dance department. While both are very different career paths, Floyd is drawn to both of them for different reasons.



"What drew me to journalism was the broadcasting side of things - being in front of the camera, as well as behind," said Linzie. "I want to start off with production, and eventually work my way up to something like executive producer. I've always wanted to break ground, because there's not a whole lot of diversity in the field. As for dance, I started when I watched my friend, and thought to myself, I should try this out. I took a hop-hop class and fell in love with it immediately. Ever since I started dancing, I've been trying to elevate myself and my skills."

As Linzie is embarking on his journey to balance the two things he lives for in life, he does face some challenges. Along with the coursework and out of the classroom experience that comes along with succeeding in journalism, dance requires some extra fine-tuning out of the classroom, along with heavy physical demand.

Floyd Linzie practicing his modern routine
inside of the dance center at CSULB.
Photo Credit: Nichole Hamilton

"The biggest challenge in balancing both is trying to focus on two subjects that have hardly anything in common," said Linzie. "Although I love both subjects very much, it can sometimes be overwhelming - especially trying to study journalism, but improve my dance technique so that I can succeed in the audition. The physical demands are crazy! One moment I'm sweating in dance class, the next I'm studying in the library. Avoiding injury is also a challenge, because I am always on the go. Having to go from a dance class to a journalism class is extremely tiring."

While Linzie manages to maintain his grades for journalism and his concentration in dance, he couldn't help but gush about his future, and what he wants for himself.

"I know that in my future, I'll still be dancing and working," said Linzie. "More than likely I'll be doing commercial dance, mainly hip hop, jazz, and contemporary, as well as working for a broadcast company and trying to break ground with that. I have never seen an openly gay, black news broadcaster, and I would love to be the first."

Linzie is walking - or dancing - proof that you can tackle and conquer anything you dedicate your focus to. Even though it may seem challenging in the beginning, the payoff in the end should be more than worth it.