As a reporter, you have to be well-rounded. You have to have some real world experience. And when I was at UMass, part of my time was spent working for the Massachusetts Daily Collegian, one of the best college newspapers in the nation. And I freelanced for the Associated Press. And as a student, being able to say that you've done some work for the Associated Press with stories that would go out all around the world was amazing. The Career Center was very helpful. I was able to make connections with the administration in order for me to come to Washington DC. Within a month, I was hired in Senator Edward Kennedy's office. And I think that's a tribute to UMass in the sense that the school gave me the courage, the desire, the willingness to take a risk. And that was really important. I took a risk coming to Washington without getting paid with Senator Kennedy's office, but I went down there. And CNN, the global world news leader, they wanted me to come work for them. It was an amazing moment, an amazing opportunity. Hard work does pay off. When I sit and I look at my children, who will be looking at schools, I think about what is going to make them the most well-rounded person? I think to what I took away from UMass. Not only did I come away with a strong academic education, but I came away with an understanding and ability to relate to people that has not only helped me in my personal life, but certainly has helped me in my career. And I can only hope that my children will get that same kind of experience that I had when I went to UMass. I'm Mark Preston, executive editor of politics at CNN. I stand for journalistic integrity, and I stand for UMass.