Sigma Tau Theta hosted a media conference for communications majors, in honor of Lorna Bailey, Thursday, April 5 in the MSC ballroom.Bialey, who was a member of the organization, passed away in August 2006. The conference was composed of two sessions.
The morning session consisted of an open panel featuring prominent media professionals such as Essence #1 best-selling author Reshonda Tate-Billingsley, Houston Chronicle fashion editor Joy Sewing, Jet magazine marketing director Rebecca Dailey, CW 39 news anchor Yolanda Green and Madd Hatta from 97.9 The Box’s Morning Show.
The second half of the conference was an informational fair that gave students an opportunity to network by visiting with the panel at different booths.
Shawna Maurice, a junior communications major, said, “I liked it because being a communications major we don’t have people throwing job fairs at us like business majors or engineering majors do, so it was good to have something for us that was really helpful.”
The panel advised students on issues from relocation and industry trends to entry level positions.
Students did not walk away empty handed; in addition to leaving with a wealth of knowledge Jet magazine offered students free copies of the magazine and applications for a summer internship, 97.9 The Box provided students with free CDs and CW 39 offered students free T-shirts.
“I felt like it was an overall great experience for any student interested in the mass media field,” said Matt Nelson, a junior communications major. “It really showed a lot about the personalities who came out. They took the time to come back and educate others about their experiences in their respective fields.”
The panel cautioned students about being afraid to take risks and the dangers of being disillusioned about the industry.
“Comfort is the number one enemy of success,” said Brandy Garcia, radio DJ for 97.9 The Box. “We try not to sugarcoat the way college students can break into the business.”
Brent Watson, junior communications major and director of the event, said, “Our organization is interested in making a difference by helping others who want to break into our field. At the end of the day we want to be able to say that we did everything we could to make Lorna proud. It was our mission, her vision and it will remain a legacy.