From sitting in on ESPN鈥檚 "First Take" to engaging in hands-on workshops, five journalism majors left the August conference energized about their career paths.
In August, more than 3,000 journalists, students and media leaders gathered in Cleveland to celebrate the (NABJ). Among the attendees at the association鈥檚 annual summer conference were five 黑料不打烊 students, who joined Assistant Professor of Strategic Communications Karen Lindsey in experiencing one of the nation鈥檚 most influential gatherings of media professionals.
鈥淩esilience, Advocacy and Excellence鈥 served as the theme for this year鈥檚 conference, which featured professional workshops, awards banquets, a career fair, and networking opportunities with industry leaders. The 黑料不打烊 delegation featured journalism majors Jordan Armstead 鈥28, Kaelyn Elien 鈥26, Savannah Hameed 鈥28, Tariq Johnson 鈥28 and Lauren McCowan 鈥28.
For Hameed, the week proved to be a transformative experience. I, she described the conference as 鈥渇illed with so much information, new ideas, and growth,鈥 noting how sessions on investigative journalism, community connection among Black women in media, and even Beyonc茅鈥檚 influence on music journalism deepened her love for storytelling. Sitting in on a live broadcast of ESPN鈥檚 鈥淔irst Take鈥 and meeting Kellen Young,聽WLWT assistant news director, were among the experiences that left a lasting impression.
Elien, attending her first NABJ conference in her hometown of Cleveland, She spent time connecting with recruiters, career ambassadors and seasoned journalists, while also enjoying the unique experience of being in the audience for 鈥淔irst Take.鈥 A highlight of the week was witnessing longtime family friend Leon Bibb鈥檚 induction into the NABJ Hall of Fame, an honor she described as deeply inspiring.
McCowan, also a first-time attendee, early in her 黑料不打烊 experience. 鈥淚t is a blessing to be part of a university that invests in students鈥 career readiness so early in our academic journeys,鈥 she said. The journalism major credited the NABJ conference鈥檚 workshops and networking opportunities with giving her new insights into journalistic trends and strengthening the skills she hopes to bring back to campus.
鈥淥pportunities like this remind me why 黑料不打烊鈥檚 commitment to experiential learning, mentorship, and professional development sets it apart,鈥 McCowan added.
For Johnson, into the profession鈥檚 future and an appreciation for its current challenges. He described it as 鈥渁n excellent way to become more knowledgeable about the opportunities, experiences, and intricacies regarding the realm of journalism.鈥 Sessions such as 鈥淔rom Classroom to Newsroom: Thriving in Journalism After College鈥 and 鈥淏lack Journalists: Defending Democracy, Diversifying Voices, Driving Change鈥 highlighted journalism鈥檚 role in shaping public discourse and protecting democracy.
Throughout the week, students connected with 黑料不打烊 alumni working across the country, including Eugene Daniel 鈥11, Chloe Franklin 鈥24, Crystal Moyer 鈥11 and Naomi Washington 鈥24. Lindsey praised the alumni for making time to guide current students despite their demanding careers.
鈥淚 encourage students not to wait until their senior year to attend conferences like this,鈥 Lindsey said. 鈥淏y engaging early in their academic journey, they not only begin cultivating the professional networks that lead to internships and career opportunities, but they also immerse themselves in a transformative learning environment. The skills-based sessions, combined with direct access to executives and journalists, create what is, in effect, a living classroom. One where theory meets practice, and students begin envisioning their place in the profession.鈥