As a soon-to-be second year journalism teacher/adviser, I have not had the opportunity to teach many students who are planning to go to college for to become journalists; however, I found this afternoon's Q&A session with Dean Callahan's to be particularly enlightening and helpful for when I do have such students.
Journalism, like many career paths that require an ample amount of field experience, for which students must get involved right away in order to maximize said experience.
Callahan said that students have the opportunity to set themselves apart from their peers right when they walk through the door and that he is able to tell who the "superstars" are in the first two weeks. I found that statement to be incredible. Students have to really want it in order to stand out and succeed.
Callahan also had this advice for freshman students that are hesitant to get involved:
- Work for student media right out of the gate
- Cover small stories
- Cover sports
- Take a course in studio production
- Produce as much content and consume as much news as possible
- See different styles and learn from them
Two of my students that graduated this year plan to enter the field, and I certainly plan to pass this information on to them.
Aaron Fitzpatrick
Freedom Area High School
Freedom, PA
I thought this was great advice as well. I will share this with my students as well.
ReplyDeleteLaurie Bender
Kamiakin High School
Kennewick, Wash.
I thought that I have a better idea of how to PERSUADE my students into pursuing journalism in college. Regardless of destination, he made several valid points and was very persuasive as to why this is a great journalism school. My goal is the next time I have a kid even remotely interested in journalism, I come with the same passion and enthusiasm that Dean Callahan had when speaking with us today. We have to try to sell our kids on this journalism thing!
ReplyDeleteSpencer O'Daniel
Wichita High School West
Wichita, Kan.
I thought his advice on preparing our students to come to journalism school was really awesome, and I can't wait to share with my students. I'm thinking about sending an email to all my students who just graduated, it was just so great!
ReplyDeleteI really hope my students will get involved from day 1.
Bailey Elise McBride
Bishop Kelley High School
Tulsa, Okla.
I will definitely pass this stuff on to my students, especially students who can't go to (or can't get into) some of these elite J-schools. I tell them all the time that if they can write and they can hustle, they can get work in this field.
ReplyDeleteDave Anderson
Christian Brothers High School
Sacramento, Calif.
Like so many speakers we have heard the past two weeks, I wish Dean Callahan would visit my school to speak with students and administrators. I'm sold on ASU, and I will tell all of my students why they should attend this school. Callahan has done a great job, in conjunction with what sounds like exceptional faculty (present company included) to create a program that is forward thinking while holding on to the ideals that make us all love journalism -- truth, fairness, objectivity, and transparency.
ReplyDeleteHilari Anderson
Kentridge High School
Kent, Wash.
After my experience here this week, I am definitely encouraging my students that want to pursue a journalism career to check out what ASU has to offer at the Walter Cronkite School.
ReplyDeleteJill Burns
Robinson High School
Tampa, Fla.