Story and video by Kristina Medley
Many prospective journalists dream of working in the spotlight, interviewing key officials and politicians, traveling and having name recognition. However, some students may not realize that this dream starts in the college setting.
Media experience, some of which can be obtained at the student’s university, is an essential part of a prospective journalist’s educational experience, said Roger Mellen, New Mexico State University journalism professor. Mellen said students learn the basics of journalism in the classroom, and working for on-campus media gives them a chance to practice what they have learned in class.
News-22 anchor and co-producer Brandi Parrell tries to track down a source while Zach Rael, anchor and reporter, prepares for the 6:30 p.m. newscast. (Photo by Kristina Medley)
“Working in the field is crucial,” Mellen said. “Students can’t just learn in the classroom. They have to practice it somewhere.”
On-campus opportunities
On-campus media organizations, including KRUX FM, The Round Up, KRWG and News-22 are entirely student-produced. Nick Miller, News-22 director, said he runs News-22 like a real, commercial newsroom, where the students work on a deadline and actually produce the entire newscast from reporting and anchoring to filming and editing.
“Working at News-22 is arming me with hands-on experience and is preparing me for the real world,” said Zach Rael, anchor and reporter for News-22. “It’s the best thing a journalism major like myself could do.”
Amberly Sisneros, design specialist, works on the layout while Nathan Kramer, executive news producer, edits the news page of The Round Up during a Wednesday "crunch night." (Photo by Kristina Medley)
Cassandra Romero, 2011 editor-in-chief of The Round Up and journalism major at NMSU, said the hands-on experience she has gained at The Round Up has really increased her knowledge and skill level in the field.
“At The Round Up, you’re actually on a deadline. You have a boss and you’re getting a paycheck,” Romero said. “You’re … putting together a paper and doing what you’re actually going to be doing when you graduate from college, and you have to work hard.”
UCOMM
University Communications also hires student writers to produce news releases for the News Center and campus and local media as well as work on video, take photos and complete various other projects. Student writers also alternate writing Eye on Research pieces, which are featured in the Monday edition of the Las Cruces Sun-News.
The Round Up, formerly a twice-weekly print newspaper, transitioned to a daily online publication in fall 2010 to suit the needs of a technology-oriented campus. (Photo by Kristina Medley)
“For students like me, working is a necessity, not an option,” said Melisa P. Danho, University Communications journalism aide and journalism and food science major at NMSU. “Balancing school and work is never easy, but without the opportunity to work on campus, I’d have to make some really difficult decisions. Working at UCOMM allows me to get journalism experience while earning the money I need to study and live in Las Cruces.”
Media convergence
Convergence has become widespread in the field of journalism over the past decade. It is becoming increasingly important for students to get experience in multiple areas in addition to their chosen focus, Mellen said.
“I think this whole idea of ‘backpack journalism’ has become a lot more widespread in the past few years,” Romero said. “In this field, we’re seeing more and more the necessity of being able to do the interview, write the story, take the photo, shoot and edit the video.”
Miller said multimedia experience is vital for the prospective journalist seeking a job in broadcast, or any area of journalism, in today’s fast-paced and technology-oriented world.
