Photo by Jamall Morris
Tatyana Ross
Editor-in-Chief
Members of the Jackson Association of Black Journalists conducted a bootcamp for students in the Department of Journalism and Media Studies on Oct. 27. Held in the California Room at the Mississippi eCenter, local media professionals from news stations in the Jackson area gave students tips of the trade in a question answer formatted event.
The media professionals included: Ross Adams, who served as the moderator of the event, WJTV Evening Anchor Byron Brown, WAPT Anchor/Reporter Troy Jones, WAPT Executive Producer Alexandria Galtney, WAPT Creative Services Donovan Wade, Meteorologist Branden Walker, and more.
JMS Department Chair Elayne H. Anthony stated this was the first in other events the department will have to help students.
“I asked our students to attend the Jackson Association of Black Journalists Bootcamp to connect with professional journalists who are currently working in the field. They were able to listen and ask questions about coverage of stories, internships and jobs,” said Anthony. “The opportunities are presented to students so they will follow up with the journalists and tell them what they hope to accomplish in the field. These journalists enjoy connecting and hearing from journalism students. We also plan to initiate brown baggers in the future to continue this student/professional relationship.”
The room was jammed packed with eager future media professional who hope to one day work or intern at the very news stations represented. Students asked questions concerning obtaining future positions and much more.
Alivia Welch, the managing editor for The Blue & White Flash, felt the event was very beneficial for JMS students.
“Events like these are important for future journalists because they allow us to gather information about different job opportunities that we can pursue with our degree,” said Welch.
“It is also encouraging to see people that look like us dominating in a career that we make up a small percentage in. Welch added: “Each journalist on the panel had different opinions about the field, however they all had one thing in common and that was that it’s okay to fail. Failure is a part of this career but those failures will help us better ourselves in years to come.”
The students weren’t the only ones who were excited about the event; speakers like WAPT Executive Producer Alexandria Galtney, who is also a JSU alum, was thrilled about the conference.
“Students were able to get access to a field that is hard to get into if you are not willing to put in the work. I hope the students who attended this event took away valuable information but they have to be open to the information they are receiving,” said Galtney. “The bootcamp was meant for students to ask media professional questions about their careers. Whether or not students adhere to our answers and fully grasp the mindset of what it takes to have a successful career in this industry is up to them.”
