Sigma Tau Theta hosted its second annual media conference Tuesday, April 1, in the Willie Albert Tempton Memorial Student Center ballroom.
The event was separated into a session for journalism and public relations and another for radio, television, music, and sports entertainment.
The journalism session featured Tracy Ferguson, editor of the Houston based Jones Magazine, Jeff Sauls of Toastmasters International, and Bryce Kennard, public relations specialist at Prairie View A&M University.
The second session featured film makers Brandon Allen and Daniel Malveaux of 3 Points Entertainment, Byron Lundy of 4tion Entertainment, Kareem Chapman; CEO of Plug Entertainment and rapper T.I.’s assistant, and Cynthia Cooper who is currently Prairie View’s head women’s basketball coach.
The conference showcased members of the media and students got direct contact with professionals working in their desired fields.
The panelists were very accessible to students and the students were able to ask questions in the question and answer sessions as a group and they were allotted time for more personal one on one sessions for students to further their knowledge in the communications field.
Ferguson and other panelists discussed how important it is for the students to research their field of interest whether it is print, television, or radio and know everything possible there is to know about it.
When it came to advice for writers Ferguson said,” As a writer it’s all about being versatile and having published work.”
The panelists discussed what to expect in their respective fields and what type of situations young professionals will face.
Chapman told the students that they have to stay focused on their particular career paths. Cooper added, “You’ll never make it by second guessing yourself.”
Chapman felt that having events like the conference were important.
“It’s a part of giving back, I wish I had a panel of the field I was interested in in college to talk to me and help make career decisions,” said Chapman.
The panelists from each session emphasized to the students to get experience through involvement in school and internships to better their resume.
Allen added that aspiring film makers could even enter their projects into festivals at cheaper prices because they were students.
Lundy mentioned that as African Americans in the communications field they have to work harder than everybody.
“We have to be 150 percent better than what the others are,” he said, adding that knowing the culture of an industry is important and pointing out that in this business it’s all about who you know and following up on contacts.
Asheli Atkins, Sigma Tau Theta event planner said she was pleased with the turnout.
“I’m happy that the panelists were willing to come down to Prairie View and share their knowledge with students who want to learn,” Atkins said.
Atkins mentioned that their second annual event has been a step up from the previous conference.
Atkins hoped the event would continue to progress each year.
“We do it for students interested in communications because the career fairs here at Prairie View fail to cater to the needs of communication students,” Atkins said.