Summer 2009

The Castellaw Courier Page 3

Prepare for future now, public relations alumna says

Camille Davis Business, sports and politics are all ex- zations are combining roles and require
Public relations alumna amples of this. employees to take on more than the du-
A professional communications po- ties of their specific position.
D ear journalism student:
Although our precious industry has
sition may become available in your
industry, as well.
2. You have options — Use them!
Do not let this frighten or overwhelm
you. Brushing up on your Microsoft Of-
fice skills and gaining industry knowl-
changed and is changing dramatically, Don’t let the news about our world’s edge will prepare you for anything that
there is no need for fear or challenges allow you comes your way.
despair. “Identifying your goals to believe that you 4. Write down your life plan. Iden-
The best way to combat will help you refine your can’t achieve your tifying your goals will help you refine
this very tough time for our thinking about how to dreams or have some your thinking about how to achieve
country and professional achieve them.” say about your type of them.
field is to prepare to face it. -Camille Davis, alumna employment. What you want will change, but liv-
Here are six tips that will Look for profession- ing your life with a conscious goal will
help: al positions that inter- minimize feelings of frustration and/or
1. Have a topic outside of journal- est you and that are attracted to young helplessness.
ism that you understand extensively. blood. Most likely, your first position 5. Remain intellectually engaged.
The trend with news organizations is will not be your dream job, but you can Read, write and have conversations
to use an industry expert as the mouth- and should eliminate jobs that will not with people who challenge you.
piece to their public. Read, get an in- aid in your professional development. 6. Talk to God. He created a plan for
ternship and/or earn a minor or graduate 3. Be prepared to fulfill multiple your life and will fulfill it if you seek
degree in an industry that interests you. roles in an entry-level position. Organi- and obey Him.

Society offers students what textbooks cannot

Leslie Ward
Co-editor of The Castellaw Courier

T he Baylor chapter of the Society of Professional Journal-

ists kicked off this semester with their first meeting Feb.
5. Four student publications staffers were invited to speak on
their trip to Washington D.C. during the presidential inaugura-
tion of Barack Obama.
Past speakers have included broadcast journalists, photo-
journalists, bloggers, public relations specialists and editors.
On March 20, Baylor’s SPJ chapter traveled to its regional
conference in Fort Worth. Members had the opportunity to have
their professional portfolios critiqued by potential employers.
The Baylor Lariat and Focus magazine won a total of 11
regional Mark of Excellence awards, announced during the
convention. The awards are given to honor the best of colle-
giate journalism in the region. This year five Baylor journalists
placed first and will continue on to compete on the national Courtesy photo
level at next fall’s centennial convention in Indianapolis. Brooke Ezell, Jenna DeWitt and Ashley Morris meet David Lieber, an award-
winning Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist, at the SPJ Region 8 Convention.
Last fall’s national convention in Atlanta allowed student
Conference host chapter president Kay Pirtle said she, “looked at this conference
journalists an opportunity to connect with other students and as a stage production. Lots of problems went on behind the scene, but when it
professionals experiencing not only the same industry struggles was showtime, everyone gave a stellar performance and it was wonderful.”
but also similar chapter challenges. Students also had the op-
portunity to tour CNN’s national headquarters near the hotel. freshman year.
Baylor SPJ is just one chapter of the largest journalism or- Ezell said. “Listening to the guest speaker reminded me just
ganization in the world. Baylor’s chapter aims to help journal- how much I wanted to have a career as a journalist. I also heard
ism students further their skills, network with professionals and about my first internship through SPJ.
other students and get to know the professors in their major. “Anchors from Waco’s local ABC affiliate spoke to us dur-
Brooke Ezell, the Baylor SPJ president, has worked to main- ing a fall meeting. It was amazing to ask them questions and
tain her organization’s elite status among the many student hear instant feedback. During the spring of my freshman year, I
organizations on campus. Ezell has been an officer since her interned at the station. That experience allowed me to grow.”