A panel of media professionals met with journalism students at York College late last month during the York College National Association of Black Journalists event, How to Land a Media Internship.
The event, held on Sept. 30. marked the YCABJ organization’s first event of the fall semester. “I think its important for students to know what’s expected of them well before they get into the professional world,” said Allyson Gill, YCABJ president.
“This event was meant to give attendees insight on what media organizations are looking for in potential interns so that they can properly prepare themselves to apply to internships and increase their chances of getting chosen,” said Gill.
The panelists were comprised of representatives from CBS, VIBE Magazine, and SiriusXM Radio who each shared their stories about they became interested in journalism and the various experiences that led them to their current jobs.
Kennesha Richards senior Journalism major at York said speaker Erica Brown from CBS stood out to her the most. “The way she was presenting herself, she seemed really enthusiastic about sharing her experience,” said Richards. “I like how she said she would hunt down journalism professionals and stand in the lobby of the places she wanted to work.”
During the event the panelists answered questions prepared by members of YCABJ. “I wanted to make sure that the panel covered the nitty gritty questions that we usually don’t get to ask when we talk to someone that’s actually made it in the field,” said Trone Dowd, another senior journalism major at York. “Our guests were more than happy to answer which I think helped our event succeed.”
The panelists also offered students helpful tips on improving their resumes, networking for jobs and maintaining a level of professionalism at work.
“The one thing I took away from the event was the importance of keeping in contact with individuals you’ve met who work in the industry,” said Simone Graham, another journalism major.
“Simply shooting them a text or an email to let them know you haven’t forgotten them and so they wont forget you.”
Later the panelists answered questions from students and after many of them followed the members of the panel to Pandora’s Box office, York’s student newspaper, where they continued to ask questions and exchanged contact information.
“The event was very informative and I enjoyed it,” said Richards. “The guests were very helpful in giving us the tools we will need as journalists.”
