By Moranne Clarke

The Mass Media Arts Symposium is designed to promote understanding and knowledge among students interested in careers in the media. This forum serves to enhance the skills and experiences of students by providing them with an opprtunity to acquire industry insight from visiting media professionals.

During the Sympsoium students are able to identify trends in journalism and communications as well as explore hot topics in professions assocaited with these fields. In addition to providing essential industry information, the Sympsoium also creates an opportunity for students to make connections that may lead to internships, scholarships or even jobs.

While the the Sympsoium is targeted toward students, it also benefits faculty members by strengthening their ties with media professionals. This event allows proffessors to examine the concerns that confront communication proffessionals, and often leads to the development of positive relationships with invited guests.

The Symposium illustrates how education extends outside the classroom in preparing students for success. Hence, it is hoped that the trainning and expereince obtained from this event will help lead students to productive and promising careers.

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By Moranne Clarke

The Department of Mass Media Arts held its first Symposium in the spring of 1973. This event allowed several of the media�s top executives, as well as prominent journalists and entrepreneurs in the communications profession, to speak with students interested in careers in mass media. Visitors of the Symposium have included Sonya Ross, White House correspondent for the Associated Press; Samuel J. Chisholm, The Chisholm-Mingo Group Inc. of New York City; and John Rose, vice president for human resources for ESPN.

As the Symposium developed, members of the mass media faculty felt that it was important for students to hear the words of those in their field of interest. However, they thought students could benefit more from the event with an opportunity to get a jump start in their career search. Later, organizers of the symposium envisioned this affair as a means of allowing students to speak with representatives who were recruiting for positions in communication fields. Thus, in 2000, a Career Forum was held in conjunction with the Symposium.

The Career Forum brought in representatives from cable television networks and public relations firms that were hiring students for entry level positions and internships. Among the companies represented at the first Career Forum were:

 Adelphia Media Services

 Court TV

 The History Channel

 A&E

 BET

 CMT

 C-SPAN

 HBO

 HTS

 MTV

 TNN

With this year marking the 28th Annual Symposium, it is evident that the mass media department continues to fulfill its mission of providing mass media majors with career preparation by combining professional information sessions and networking opportunities.

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