With the 2012 Modern Media Conference just around the corner, students across the Ga State campus are being more exposed to journalism than ever. The Student Media Department, which is hosting the conference, purposely or not, is recruiting for future members.
The Modern Media Conference is said to have over 20 guests and speakers in various fields of journalism. Some speakers include Nicole Holman, Anchorwoman of Channel 2 Action news at 5, and keynote speaker Michael Koretzky, a journoterrorist and freelance writer. According to Sabastian Wee, Editor-in-Chief of The Signal, "The primary goal of this conference is to give Communication students a sense of what they want to do with their careers."
Here at Ga State, the Student Media Department helps students gain experience with four organizations: The Signal, WRAS - Atlanta, New South, and GSTV. Each offers a variety of positions that students can participate in, revolving around broadcast or print journalism.
The Signal is GSU's student-run newspaper that issues weekly. It contains four sections : News, Arts & Living, and Opinions. Student Employees can work as a writer in one or more of these sections. If writing isn't your thing, you could also work with the marketing or editing department of the paper. The editing staff proofreads stories, designs templates and layouts, and manages the visual style. Marketing deals with promotions, advertisement, and the overall distribution of the paper. The Signal's mission is "to provide an opportunity for students to pursue experience within a professional newspaper environment."
WRAS- Atlanta, also known as, Album 88, is GSU's student-run radio station. Up until this year, it was the only 100,000 watt radio station in the nation. Now we share this with our neighbor, Ga Tech, in Midtown. All WRAS Djs are students and they all have completed a complex process and various training sessions. Students will gain experience in broadcasting, producing, managing, and working in a radio station environment. Creative Loafing has selected WRAS as the best radio station in Atlanta on multiple occasions, and WRAS staff continues to uphold their reputation.
New South is comprised of student-edited literacy journals. It stages a number of journals throughout the school year on and off campus. Poems, Novels, Short stories, etc. - almost any piece of literature can be submitted to New South for consideration. Its standards are similar to peer-reviewed journals across the United States. Underground is also managed with New South and contains nothing but GSU student literacy journals.
GSTV is GSU's student run television station. It broadcasts on campus Channel 91 and online. The station airs student-produced news, student-produced programming, and coverages of various campus events. GSTV provides positions for a variety of student interests including: production, directing, camera operation, script writing, marketing, editing, and many more. Behind or in front of the screen, GSTV most likely has a position that you can fill.
This upcoming weekend the Modern Media Conference and its speakers will open the eyes of many students and bring these four student media organizations more volunteers. For more information on the Conference this weekend at the Student Center, or Student media Organizations, go to http://www.gsu.edu/studentmedia/index.html
"Journalism is more than writing. It's more than a skill. It is a lifestyle. And the guest speakers who are coming to the Student Center this weekend are living, breathing examples of who we should all aspire to be," said Wee.
