UPDATE SEPT. 5: We’ve filled up the registrations that will come with a free one-year SPJ membership. You can still take advantage of five registrations for the price of four, when five people register together though. That’s four registrations for $60! Also, just to clarify, the event is open to ALL journalism students in Virginia, not just SPJ members.
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The Virginia Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists presents its inaugural College Media Day.
SPJVA College Media Day, to be held at the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Oct. 19 by SPJ’s Virginia Pro chapter, will feature a series of workshops, panel discussions and speakers on topics especially for journalism students. The event will run from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m.
Workshops and panels include:
FOIA in the College Newsroom
How can the Freedom of Information Act lead you to great stories on campus? Hear from the experts on stories that resonate with students.
How to land your first internship or job
Hear from hiring editors and recent grads about landing that vital internship or first job out of college.
Investigative reporting and reporting controversial stories
Experienced reporters share tips and tricks for uncovering stories campus leaders may prefer to stay buried. Once those stories are out, the tides may change. Journalists talk about staying on top of big stories, handling community fallout, being fair and handling the pressure.
Basic Copy Editing and Page Design
What college editors should know about how to avoid dumb mistakes and present a great product every time in print and online.
Interviewing Tips
Journalists share their tips on how to get sources to open up and make them feel comfortable. Great interviews lead to great quotes and great stories.
Photo Workshop
A quality photo essay begins long before the shutter clicks. A photo editor discusses planning for photo and multimedia and offers tips for shooters of all experience levels.
Mark of Excellence Workshop
The first step in becoming an award-winning journalist is entering contests. Journalism Professor Jeff South and experienced judge Brian Eckert talk about choosing and presenting entries for contests like the SPJ Mark of Excellence Award, given to college journalists each year.
WordPress Workshop
Online Editors: learn the secret powers of WordPress for your newsroom.
So You Want to Be a Columnist?
An editorial writer offers advice on the sometimes-tricky world of writing editorials, columns and handling letters to the editor.
One-on-one critiques
Students can sign up for one-one-one critique sessions with professional journalists. Bring your clips, photos and videos to be reviewed by an expert. Please indicate in your registration if you are interested in a critique.
Networking
Bring your A-game! This is your opportunity to meet hiring editors and journalists from several media outlets around Virginia. Be ready to share your portfolio of work. This is your chance to shine! While an email may get lost in an editor’s inbox, you’re more likely to impress them face-to-face. You will also have the chance to learn about SPJ, the events the organization puts on and scholarship opportunities. It’s a good chance to swap stories and experiences from other college journalists fighting the same battles you are.
Registration
Cost: $15 for all attendees
You will get a full day of workshops and panels, one-on-one time with professional journalists, and a light breakfast and lunch.
**The first 15 students to register will receive a complimentary SPJ membership, courtesy of SPJ members and friends. If you’ve already joined for this year, it will be applicable next year. This is valued at $37.50, the student rate for joining the organization at the national level.
**Every four students who register together can register a fifth student for free, when registering together. That’s five registrations for $60.
To register, send an email with your name and your school to virginiaprospj@gmail.com. Please indicate if you would like to schedule a critique session. In the subject line of the email, please write “COLLEGE MEDIA DAY REGISTRATION.” On the day of the event, please bring a check for $15 made out to Virginia Pro Chapter SPJ or cash.
The event will be located at The Richmond-Times Dispatch, which is located at 300 E. Franklin St. Richmond, VA 23219.
SPJVA Today 