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| Panel Discussions |
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Survival of the Fittest: Panel discusses power player strategies  Professor Charlotte Grimes opens this year's symposium and introduces the first panel. By: Moranne Clarke Are you interested in a career in the media? Well, according to this year�s Mass Media Arts Symposium, be prepared for �survival of the fittest.� Competition is fierce and only the strong will survive. In preparing Hampton University mass media students to be the ultimate survivors, this year�s symposium kicked off with a panel discussion entitled �Power Player Strategies.� This panel consisted of four distinguished media professionals with diverse backgrounds in communication fields. Sitting on the panel were Cynthia Dinkins, Executive Director, T. Howard Foundation; Keith Harriston, National Deputy Editor, Washington Post; Michelle Materre, Outreach/Fundraising Direction, ROJA Productions; and Wendy Juren, Director of Public Affairs and Community Marketing, WVEC-TV. These individuals shared their experiences and provided students with insight on how to get their foot in the door to mass media-related positions. Each of the panelists offered advice to students based on their areas of expertise. However, in spite of the differences in position and experiences, all of the speakers stressed the importance of writing in pursuing any career in the media. According to these power players, writing is one of the top skills needed to survive and be successful in this field. �Even in production, writing skills are a must,� said Materre. In addition, students were reminded to have a good business background to increase their marketability. Following the speaker�s presentations, there was a question and answer period that allowed students to gain more knowledge by asking presenters about specific topics not covered earlier in the discussion. The answers given provided students with more details on things they could do to get an edge over the competition. Students were informed on ways to find hidden media related careers such as set design, how overcome to the negative stigma attached to public relations specialists and to what scale having an advanced degree helps in obtaining positions in the media field. The session closed out as students met the presenters and spoke with them about available full-time positions and internships with the companies represented. 
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Presenters explain how to negotiate up the ladder of success
By: Ceneatra Holmes The second session of the Mass Media Arts Symposium entitled "Negotiating Minefields" dealt with rising to the top of the ladder step by step not always stopping at the first door that is opened to you. The panelists for this session were: Sheila R. Solomon, staff development/reader editor at the Daily Press; Charles Warfield, COO, Inner Broadcasting Corporation; Carol Robinson, Regional Sales Manager, AP/Broadcast News Center; and Clyde Gray, Anchor, WCPO-TV. 
The panelist discussed their jobs and how they got where they are today. They also gave advice for media majors who are embarking out into the job market. This advice teaches students how they can get their foot in the door and that they should be open and flexible. In discussing her career Robinson mentioned a Hampton graduate who works for her. Tiffany Turner stood, briefly introduced herself and described her position at the Associated Press. The panelists advised students charged them to consider all options and to think them through. Students should not say "yes" immediately. "Know what you�re getting into and be ready to pay the price," said Gray. Students also should put things in perspective and prioritize. 
Negotiation was another key point emphasized by the panelist. Students were advised to do a fair and honest self-evaluation before they attempted to sell themselves, know their worth and to negotiate accordingly. "You don�t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate," said Robinson. One final reminder came from Gray, "Miss no opportunity to do what you want to do, don�t turn it down because you never know who�s watching." The panelists made several points on negotiating and self-evaluation: Negotiating Your Worth * Have a sense of value |
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