October 9, 2019
Students built connections and sought advice from current media professionals during Journalism’s popular Speed Mentoring event, held recently on campus.
“The Speed Mentoring event went very well,” said Steve Wyard, Journalism Alumni Association (JAA) president. “The mentors and students I spoke to were very happy to be there – the students felt they got good information from the mentors, and the mentors felt the students were enthusiastic, well-prepared and asked good questions.”
CSUN’s JAA is hosted the seventh annual Journalism Speed Mentoring event, Oct. 2, at the Oviatt Library’s Ferman Presentation Room.
Similar to the style of speed dating, students can build connections and get advice from current journalism professionals in under 15 minutes.
The event, similar to the style of speed dating, was co-sponsored by CSUN’s Society of Professional Journalists student chapter. Students met with several broadcast, print/digital editors and public relations professionals, among others.
“We try really hard to bring in people that are currently working in the field,” said Journalism professor Stephanie Bluestein. “Why not put students in touch with people who are right now working at these media agencies and PR firms so they can ask for advice?”
This year’s media outlets included Telemundo, CBS Los Angeles, La Opinion, the Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Daily News, USA Today, Los Angeles Downtown News, Fox 11, Marketplace, BH Media group and PR firm, Business wire.
Bluestein, an associate professor and internship coordinator, organized the event along with Peter Camarillo, a program alumnus and JAA board member.
This isn’t a job fair, said Bluestein, but it is possible for students attending to turn the connections made into internships and/or job opportunities.
Speed mentoring is offered in the fall and is open to all journalism students regardless of class standing. In Spring, the department hosts its annual Career Day, hosting news and other media professionals in panel presentations and resume critiques, among other activities. The department’s professionally-affiliated clubs and organizations are represented, as well.
By Gisselle Pernett