After creating a successful talk-show formula for last year’s inaugural “BG On TV” broadcast, University graduate and broadcast journalism major Taurence Armstrong plans to take it to the international level.

Armstrong submitted his audition video for “The Taurence Armstrong Show” to Oprah.com as part of her “Your Own Show” contest, where five finalists are granted an opportunity to win a time-slot on Oprah’s future television network.

During his time at the University, Armstrong worked as a radio host for WBGU, worked at the BG News and formed his own company, Pillar, to produce a magazine and radio show, according to LinkedIn.com.

While Armstrong said he enjoys running a company, he stressed the need to learn how to do it correctly.

“What I need to do is learn my craft inside and out,” Armstrong said. “You can’t ever be a leader if you’re not willing to be led by someone.”

With three successful television internships, including stints with PBS, CBS and ABC News, Armstrong gained valuable insight to the entertainment industry while reinforcing his beliefs about hard work. He said that everyone around him was working continuously to keep the show going.

“It’s not being willing to work hard to get to some glorified level and then just stop,” Armstrong said. “You have to keep it going and you have to really believe in what you’re doing.”

Working as an intern at ABC News in New York led to an encounter with Diane Sawyer, who offered the interns some simple advice: “You can change the world, so just do it.”

“It was really refreshing to have someone at that level to say what I knew to be true for so long,” Armstrong said.

Armstrong’s goal to host a television show is in keeping with his passion for helping people. In his audition tape, he said that his show will place emphasis on the viewer’s thoughts and concerns, calling it “your chance to give and get wisdom.”

“I want my actions to match my desires, I want someone to care about me,” Armstrong said. “I’m so in tune with that, and that allows me to really be a host that is the utmost empathetic, because I understand.”

Armstrong said that the show will cover topics ranging from pop culture, current events and feature musical performances to expand upon the format he created for BG On TV.

“We are here to help you juice up your life,” Armstrong said. “There is no reason why that can’t be fun.”

Armstrong’s enthusiasm has impressed faculty, as well.

“He’s just such a likable guy,” journalism professor Jim Foust said. “I think it is very possible [that his show gets picked]. It is certainly the direction of his passion.”

Journalism professor Victoria Ekstrand said that Armstrong has a natural ability to connect with his audience, noting his “commanding presence.”

“There is a very sure look in his eyes when you talk to him,” Ekstrand said. “He has tremendous energy, enthusiasm [and] willingness to be with and help people.”

Armstrong acknowledged that making connections with people is essential for success, crediting his production team of telecommunications majors for getting him through the challenge of creating his audition tape.

“The reason why people on TV are so good at what they do is that they have a team of people around them who support and believe in them,” Armstrong said.

Ultimately, he said it is because he enjoys the work that he can make it through long nights in the editing lab, and that his work “never gets redundant.”

“It’s my coffee, it’s my caffeine,” Armstrong said. “I think the sky has no limit for this type of work.”

While he would love to receive his own talk show, Armstrong said he is considering becoming a news reporter if he does not win the Oprah contest.

“It would certainly be great if this happened, but I’m still going to be myself if I don’t get this,” Armstrong said. “I still really believe that there is something out there for me that is going to be transformative.”

Right now, Armstrong wants people to vote. Voting can be repeated infinitely until July 3.

Armstrong said he wants people to spread the word through Facebook by posting his video to their statuses. He previously had success raising money for his ABC internship through the website.

“Facebook really helped me back then, hopefully Facebook can help me right now.”