ABJ Hosts Young Alumni Panel

The Association of Black Journalists hosted its first Young Alumni Panel on April 17. The main focus of the event was for members to gain insight on the professional world from those who recently graduated. The panel consisted of a group of all black women who shared their experiences getting jobs in the fields of mass communication, public relations and media design. Members of ABJ were able to hear the experiences of Nichelle Torres; a production assistant for ESPN, Dana Jennings; a public relations specialist for the city of Columbia, Kiante Chapman; marketing and communications director at RChivos, and Columbia WACH Fox reporter Leah Holloway. Many of the ladies discussed the difference between the professional world and college life. “You know in college leggings and tights are appropriate, but at work you never know who you’re going to meet that day,”Jennings explained as she told the audience a story on how she met with Columbia Mayor, Steve Benjamin. Jennings told the crowd that she keeps heels in her trunk because she never knows where her work will take her and who she could meet that could possibly be a connection in the future. Torres, agreed with Jennings and told members that networking is essential to moving up in her field as well as hard work, “You’re not going to be successful just doing what you want to do. You have to work hard to get to where you want to be,” stated Torres. Holloway graduated from USC in 2013 and still says the key to being a great reporter is “practice, practice, practice.” She encouraged the future reporters in the room to research ideas they liked and to make stories out of them, stating “You have to find enjoyment in it, if you don’t like it you will leave.” The panelists suggested that students get internships before jobs being that employers hire more interns because they don’t have time to train workers. Being an intern teaches the ins and outs of the job as well as building connections with future employers. When going into an interview Chapman told the crowd to come with industry specific questions. She said it is best to come in after already researching the company and to know what you have to offer them. Many of the women gave advice on how to prepare for jobs while still in school. Torres suggested for members in the audience to learn a new language, many employers are looking for bilingual workers and those who are bilingual are often hired internationally. Jennings expressed that she would have taken her design classes more seriously when she was an undergrad. She often has to fulfill many roles in public relations. “You have to be able to wear so many hats in communication because it is your job to communicate to the public,” she stated. The panel told the audience to never be afraid. They must not be afraid to stand out in a crowd, or to ask for more money at a job and to never be afraid of rejection. “You have to keep applying and keep pushing,” stated Torres. She stated that you might start off small but that is not where you have to stay.