Alivia Welch
\n<\/span>Managing Editor<\/span><\/p>\n

For the first time in history, Mississippi Association of Broadcasters (MAB) held a student conference at the Mississippi E-Center. More than 200 media major students across the state gathered to hear from professionals in the industry.<\/span><\/p>\n

Various topics and possible job opportunities were discussed in different breakout rooms throughout the day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Students took away countless information and said this was a once in a lifetime opportunity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joshua Edwards, a senior journalism media studies major from Tulsa, Okla. said that networking with professionals can increase job opportunities for young adults seeking positions in the media business.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese types of events are important for us because they can open doors that sometimes our resumes cannot,\u201d said Edwards. \u201cIt\u2019s vital for students to build that connection.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He also said he learned about self-branding and the importance of enjoying humble beginnings that are sometimes overlooked by experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jaylin Smith, a first-year graduate student at the University of Mississippi majoring in journalism and new media, said that media conferences like this are necessary as a black woman to dominate in the industry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExposure is important so you can see the companies and organizations you want to be a part of and be able to acknowledge that they\u2019re not as far as they may seem,\u201d said Smith. \u201cNetworking and connecting with people that may not look like you and I, can push and challenge each other for greater (opportunities) in the media.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She also said that the Connect to Affect: Relationships that Lead to Success, break out session taught by Melissa Boswell Townsend, was very informative.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt allowed me to understand how brainstorming really helps with cultivating ideas, as far as ideas you put into the media for storytelling,\u201d Smith said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She also said it was engaging and allowed her an idea of thought- processing and how she interacts with others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another breakout session, The Winning Message: How to Write Copy that Works, was taught by Blake Levine and Brett Kenyon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Levine, Sports Director at WJTV in Jackson, Miss., said in his session students learned how to write and be interesting, informative and keep viewer\u2019s attention. He also said that conventions as such great for media students.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I had this when I was younger, you not only get to meet people but you also get to learn and meet your peers and could help with getting a job in the future,\u201d Levine said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

News stations with urgent job openings attended the conference as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Michelle Martin, a multimedia journalist, producer and anchor for WTVA located in Columbus, Miss., said that her station is seeking new faces.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re looking for creative minds, team players and openminded people who are ready to work,\u201d said Martin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other professionals within the media industry were in attendance including Brittany Bright, a content creator and an influencer marketing executive.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bright focused on black content creators getting the proper exposure and acknowledgment within the media realm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like creators of Mississippi don\u2019t get the recognition we deserve for being trendsetters and creative,\u201d said Bright.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She added, \u201cI think that being here today, I\u2019m giving people the opportunity to learn, whether it\u2019s building a business or legally, how to read contracts.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She is also is the founder of The Influencer League, an organization that teaches people of color who are influencers how to build their brands and secure brand deals and strategically grow their following.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Influencer League is accepting 1,000 student applicants from people of color who live in the U.S. and are 18 years old and older. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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