The second semester of my freshman year, I joined the University Daily Kansan photo staff. I was the photo editor of my high school yearbook, but joining a college photo staff initially intimidated me.
I photographed lectures, performances and anything else relating to student life at the University. In March, the Kansas women’s basketball team qualified for the Sweet 16, and I got to go to Des Moines, Iowa, to photograph the game, which was only the second basketball game I had ever photographed.
The experience was incredible. Not only did I get to take pictures of the women’s team, but also basketball legends Tennessee coach Pat Summitt and Baylor’s Brittany Griner.
This fall I’ve had the opportunity to travel for Kansas football and basketball games and photograph the president of Colombia, who’s a KU grad.
I never thought I would have any of the opportunities that I’ve already had as a sophomore. I’m confident that by the time I graduate I will have a portfolio and the experience to do whatever I want with photojournalism. Without being involved in student media, I don’t think that would be possible.
Tara Bryant ~ Journalism sophomore studying news and information
December 2012
Tags: Newspaper, Real-world experience, Students
Posted in During the J-School |
Current news and information student Kelly Stroda is interning at The Dallas Morning News this summer.
Stroda keeps the rapidly-growing metropolitan area up to date on entertainment news with a blog on guidelive.com as well as cuts multimedia news packages about events around town.
Her package on the opening of Dallas – Fort Worth’s first Trader Joe’s is an excellent example of the multimedia journalism principles we teach at the KU J-School.
As you can see from the story and the screen shots to the left, Stroda and a coworker used live tweets, photo galleries, video footage, and an online story to encapsulate the anticipated opening.
Students learn these skills in classes like JOUR 304 Media Writing, JOUR 415 Multimedia Reporting, JOUR 550 Digital Media, and many more (view more classes here).
Wayne Larson ~ KU J-School Recruiter
June 2012
Tags: Internships, Newspaper, Real-world experience, Students
Posted in During the 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.
In addition to journalism classes at KU, Jenks has refined his craft by working on the University Daily Kansan and the Topeka Capital-Journal.
Set to graduate in May, Jenks’ will undoubtedly add this to his resume of great accomplishments while at the KU J-School.
Wayne Larson ~ KU J-School Recruiter
March 2012
Tags: Internships, Newspaper, Students
Posted in During the J-School |
My experience at the University Daily Kansan was one of the best I’ve had at KU. I was an Account Executive for one semester on the advertising staff. It’s great experience to have on your resume and I have received multiple internships because of the knowledge I gained. As an AE I was responsible for managing clients and meeting sales goals through the development of strategic ad campaigns.
Once you’re hired, you have a weeklong training in sales, pricing and being successful at the job in general. The staff is split into groups of six, called zones. Each zone has four AEs, a Creative who designs the ads, and a Zone Manager who manages the group. The Business Manager and Sales Manager lead the ad staff and are always available to give you advice. On the last day of training, all the sales people receive a client list, which was the most exciting part.
One of the best things about working at the UDK is you earn commission on what you sell. This was great for me because I didn’t have time to have another job.
If you are considering working on the UDK advertising staff, I highly recommend it.
Wylee Shofler ~ Journalism senior studying strategic communication
October 2011
Tags: Newspaper, Students
Posted in During the J-School |
The distance between Lawrence, Kan. and Garden City, Kan. almost stretches the entire state. But, that doesn’t mean high school and community college students in that city as well as others in western Kansas can’t feasibly study journalism at KU.
To prove that point, three professors and I went to Garden City Community College in early September to meet with the college’s student media group GC3 Media.
Among other things on our visit, we made sure the student media group knew KU isn’t much farther from their home than Kansas State University – the popular pick of many western Kansas university-bound students.
KU is only one more hour east of KSU when coming from Garden City, and the same goes for other western Kansas towns like Dodge City or Great Bend.
So, if you’re from western Kansas, passionate about journalism, and leaving home for college, make your second home the KU J-School. It’s just a little farther from the other universities in Kansas, but miles ahead of them in terms of academic excellence, involvement opportunities and prestige.
Wayne Larson ~ KU J-School Recruiter
October 2011
Tags: Newspaper, Visits
Posted in High School Visits |
Current Jayhawk Journalist
Claire McInenry and I visited Blue Valley Northwest in Overland Park, Kan. in late September.
Journalism teacher Jim McCrossen has an excellent publications staff and their broadcast group is outstanding, too.
The students’ online product BVNWnews is up-to-date, informative, and fun to read and watch.
Keep up the great work, Huskies.
Wayne Larson ~ KU J-School Recruiter
September 2011
Tags: H.S. Props, Newspaper
Posted in High School Visits |
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