Even with everything you learn in getting a journalism degree from KU, there are some things you can’t learn in a classroom.
It was the first day of my internship at WOWT Channel 6 in Omaha last summer and I was ecstatic to be the only news intern at the station. I knew I’d be getting hands-on experience but I didn’t know I’d be getting so much of it so quickly.
On my first day the reporter and I were called to a bank robbery in South Omaha. The suspect had fled to a house in North Omaha with the money he’d stolen, so we went to check things out.
I figured the police would just bust down the door, go arrest the suspect, and that’d be that. But when we got there, it looked as though half of the Omaha Police Department was stationed around the house, all heavily armed. It was intimidating, seeing police officers run around with guns but it was exciting to see it all up-close while helping report what was going on.
When my mom called to ask how my first day was I left quite a bit out because if you’re not a reporter yourself you don’t understand that there’s some danger that can come with being in the field. But that’s half the fun; it’s a rush, and, getting that experience was something I’ll never forget.
I have a love of theater. My grandmother introduced live theater to me at an early age and since then I’ve been involved in numerous productions. However, I don’t have any delusions of grandeur about my on-stage skills. Thankfully, I have a second passion — writing.
These two traits make journalism perfect for me. Sophomore year I was looking through the J-School’s Career Center and found an internship posting for the Theater League of Kansas City. My passion for theater must have been evident in my cover letter because I got an interview and subsequently landed the position. My internship at the Theater League then led to my current job as the marketing assistant at the Lied Center of Kansas, KU’s on-campus performing arts center.
These two opportunities in arts administration helped me discover exactly what I want to do with my degree. Everyday I get to plan promotions for live performances and my work is something that I genuinely believe in.
I’ve found no matter what your passion is, there is someone out there who needs help promoting it. The J-School makes it possible for a student’s passion to be an important part of their education, and hopefully, their future careers.
Current student Lisa Andersen’s piece on the youth vote in Kansas was picked up by PBS’ Washington Week and posted on both groups’ websites in early March.
Andersen’s piece was done for a class and then originally aired on the student-run television station KUJH-TV before being picked up by the national media outlet.
National exposure like this is just one way Jayhawk Journalists like Andersen get real-world experience on a daily basis at the KU J-School.
Current student Jayson Jenks‘ story about the history of KU basketball and current coach Bill Self was featured on ESPN’s Grantland in mid March.
Jenks’ achievement is an example of how current Jayhawk Journalists produce high-quality work, which is often recognized on a national level, on a daily basis.
A large benefit to multicultural students pursuing a degree in journalism is the Journalism Multicultural Scholars Program (JMSP). This program provides academic advising, financial support and career development opportunities to journalism students from diverse backgrounds.
As a scholar, a scholarship is awarded based on how many years you have participated in the program. This scholarship goes toward your tuition.
Once a month, there is a meeting where all the scholars meet and learn about new topics or participate in a group activity. Previously covered topics include resume writing and interviewing. Previous activities include agency tours, newspaper office tours, community service, and theatre performances.
JMSP also financially supports scholars who pursue academically-focused endeavors outside of school. Additional scholarship requests can be made for study abroad, professional development conferences, and more.
In my time as a JMSP member, I have had the opportunity to meet award-winning journalists, receive a scholarship to attend the Martin Agency Student Workshop in Richmond, Va., and build relationships with some of the most ambitious multicultural students in the J-School.
The JMSP is an opportunity current and future journalism students from diverse backgrounds should definitely take advantage of.
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