Conventions make a reporter marketable

Studying journalism presents several opportunities that a journalist might never have. During the summer at The Daily Herald, I rode in a bi-plane with a group of aerial acrobats. I spoke to a World War II veteran, which I did again during the school year. And, of course, I covered several city council meetings. But as a student-journalist, an added benefit is the chance to go to national and regional conferences.

No. 1: Seminars

While practical application is always the best way to learn things in journalism and other fields, they have to be introduced to the ideas somehow. At seminars in regional conventions, professionals talk about what it takes to be a journalist. Whether it be a copy-editing seminar at the Mid-America Press Institute convention in St. Louis, or seminars on covering tragedies at the College Media Advisers national convention in Washington, D.C., the seminars give something to take back to your respective school newsroom and try. Also, if you don't try it, it gives a new perspective that can contribute to a student-journalist's overall development.

No. 2: Contacts

Connections in journalism can be very important. At conferences, a student-journalist can come home with several business cards of fellow journalists who have made the trip. These all won't lead to jobs. Nor will they all lead to internships. But this does give a student-journalist a quick reference whenever you have any questions about journalism. If you show an interest in journalism as a student, working journalists will respect that and help because they have been in the same situation.

No. 3: Experience

Because of Eastern's journalism department, I have been to St. Louis several times, Memphis and Washington, D.C. While this might have happened eventually anyway, it might not have happened with the groups of people that went along. The trips are definite bonding experiences and it is sometimes amazing who you end up getting close to at the trips. Beale Street in Memphis was definitely as advertised and even a small blues club in St. Louis made the trip worthwhile. And the history of Washington, D.C. is incredible.

These are just three of the several benefits involved in attending conventions in college. While these opportunities will be available for a select few to go from professional newspapers, in college, the knowledge can enhance a student-journalist's value to a prospective employer. It shows the reporter has a deep interest in the field, especially if the skills and lessons learned are applied in their work and in the clips sent out with resumes. In short, attend conventions.