Aspiring journalists attend conference in Texas

By Faith Foushee, September 17, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

High Point University’s chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists also attended the conference. The SPJ is a group that describes itself as being dedicated to proliferating free journalism in the world and promoting ethical standards in the industry. Since its founding in 1909, the SPJ has worked towards its goal of aiding and inspiring the next generation of journalists. 

Five members of the HPU chapter of the SPJ went to the conference, including Lexi Sanders, president of the HPU chapter; Delaney Geraghty, the vice president; Ally Patterson, the secretary; Taylor Helson; the treasurer ;and Ally Ortolani, the representative for the Student Government Association. 

Attending the conference served as a way for the aspiring reporters to prepare for their future in a myriad of ways. They met figures like Susan Zirinsky, president of CBS News, who is known for her multitude of award-winning productions and coverage of important subjects like the Gulf War and the Tiananmen Square protests. 

Most people attending the conference were experienced veterans in the field with extensive careers, giving the HPU students a near-exclusive opportunity to learn lessons and ask questions in person. 

“The connections we made at this conference definitely made the experience worth- while, along with getting an inside look at the industry and learning new skills in the break- out sessions,” said Geraghty. “Most, of the people attending this conference were professionals with established careers, and not just other students so we really got to see what different paths in the journalism industry look like.” 

The students appreciated the opportunity to listen to experts, hear how they managed to become successful and use the knowledge they gained to apply it to their own developing careers. It also gave them the chance to have their work critiqued and determine their areas of strength and areas needing improvement. 

“Very few students get to attend this conference, so we got exclusive access to industry professionals who helped critique some of our work,” said Sanders. “Each of us got to sit one-on-one with different professionals, so everyone was able to connect with a different professional.” 

The conference also facilitated networking and the opening of future opportunities for collaboration and employment. The SPJ students introduced themselves to representatives from different news organizations. Having already had the opportunity to make an impression and learn more about what is desired in a prospective employee, the students will have an advantage over other potential applicants for entry-level positions and internships with these companies. 

“I was certainly able to form useful connections,” said Geraghty. “I met so many different, interesting and influential people. The most important thing I learned at the conference was just how valuable and necessary having good internship and leadership experience is, and how employers will look to these experiences and your work examples before looking at GPA.” 

The impact of the conference on students who attend is demonstrated by the success of former HPU students who visited the same event in previous years. According to Sanders, several students were able to get jobs after graduating because they attended the conference with the SPJ. This affirms her belief in having greater career opportunities for those involved with the conference. 

The HPU Society of Professional Journalists plans on returning to the next Excellence in Journalism Conference to provide more of its members with this opportunity. Students with serious aspirations to work in the news industry are encouraged to join the society, as they may be one of the students selected to go to the next conference. Students interested in the prospect may contact Dr. Bobby Hayes at bhayes@highpoint. edu for more information.

This year’s Excellence in Journalism Conference was held in San Antonio, Texas. The event attracted many experienced journalists, reporters and others involved in the news field to discuss important issues and exchange ideas about how to best perform their role as communicators.