PVCC students attend professional journalism conference
By John J. Dill II, May 2009
Blog Editor
On April 3 and 4, six PVCC journalism students attended the regional, annual convention of the Society of Professional Journalists to network with professionals and learn more about the fast changing world of journalism.
Mark Scarp, conference committee chair and adjunct professor at ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications, says much of the conference, which showcased the ASU Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, focused on the modes of change and multi-media Internet tools in the world of journalism.
PVCC student and Puma Press environment editor, Kyle Porter, says that attending events of professional organizations give students the important opportunity of meeting working journalists and editors one-on-one.
Of the 135 people in attendance from four states (Ariz., Nev., Calif. and Hawaii), 70 percent were students, mostly from Arizona colleges, whereas in prior years, professionals outnumbered students 2-to-1, says Scarp.
The conference organizers hoped professionals would take advantage of the learning opportunities the conference presented, but the students are now the positive force, says Scarp.
Tegan McRae, PVCC journalism student and Puma Press community editor, says she enjoyed hearing the stories about how professional journalists got their positions and was surprised to find that freelancing has a significant role in journalism.
One of the highlights was the appearance of Blake Morrison, an editor from USA Today, who made himself available to students. “This ended up as a student-focused event,” says Scarp.
PVCC student and Puma Press editor-in-chief, Jenee Kivin, says, the reduced opportunities for internships are disappointing. |
