Communication Week helps prepare students for jobs, internships
Communication students at UTC will have the opportunity to meet the "who's who" in professional communication and media in the area during the department's Comm. Week March 5-8.
Guest speakers, seminars and a tour of public relations and advertising agencies highlight the events. Students will have the opportunity to hear from newspaper, television and radio reporters and editors, public relations and advertising executives, and corporate, non-profit and public service communicators during the sessions. The activities, events and seminars are designed to help prepare communication majors for internships and jobs.
"Local professionals are very supportive of our educational efforts," said Dr. Kit Rushing, communication department head. "Our students benefit greatly from being able to network and meet these many fine professionals."
Events kick off Monday, March 5 with a workshop on interviewing skills. A tour of public relations and advertising agencies Monday afternoon will allow students to see inside JohnsonWaterhouse and dd+N in downtown Chattanooga.
Students interested in careers in public relations will hear professionals from that area Tuesday, March 6. One session will feature professionals representing public relations in government, public and private settings. Planning public relations campaigns is the focus of an afternoon session with marketing and public relations directors.
A panel of Communication Department graduates who have "made it" in professional communications will return to campus Wednesday, March 7. Alumni panelists will speak to communication students about getting started in various career areas.
Minority communication majors will be able to network and meet local minority communication professionals at a special lunch Wednesday. These professionals represent television, radio, newspapers, and government public relations areas.
Communication majors interested in broadcast careers will be hear a local television reporter and video photographer talk about their work Wednesday, March 7.
Thursday, March 8 events include a session on putting together a professional portfolio designed to help students planning on advertising, public relations, design and marketing careers.
The week ends with the very popular "Pizza with the Pros" lunch Thursday. Communications majors can meet and network with 14 professionals at this free lunch.
The Communication Department Alumni Association, Dr. Betsy Alderman, and Professor Felicia McGhee-Hilt organized events for Comm. Week.
Comm Week - March 5-8
Monday, March 5
10-11:50 a.m. - Now What Did You Say Your Name Is? Good Interviews
Mean Good Stories
Frist 203
Mark Kennedy, features editor, The Chattanooga Times Free Press
1-2:50 p.m. - Tour of Advertising and Public Relations agencies
Agencies:
1:15 p.m. - JohnsonWaterhouse, 436 Market St.
2:15 p.m. - dd+N, 417 Market St.
Tuesday, March 6
10:50 a.m.-12:05 p.m. - Careers in Public Relations, Fletcher 114
Jim Dodson, APR, staffing & recruiting consultant, TVA Connie Roberts,
account representative, The Johnson Group Bill Thornton, manager of advertising
& sales, Comcast Cable Todd Womack, director of public relations &
employee communications, Unum Provident
12:15-1:30 p.m. - Planning PR Campaigns, Frist 302 Cheryl Dunson, vice president market development, Santek Environmental Inc. Beth Henderson, former marketing director, Double Cola Mary Thompson, APR, development and public relations director, STARS
Wednesday, March 7
9-10:50 a.m. - They've MADE IT: UTC Communication Graduates Return
to Share Advice on Careers
Signal Mountain Room, UC
Amber Austin, reporter, Associated Press, Nashville
Shawanna Kendrick, news producer, WTVC Television
Mandy Lasater, account executive, WDOD Radio
Kelly Lusk, director of public information and community outreach, WTCI
Television
Kevin Lusk, reporter, The Chattanooga Times Free Press
Kenya McGhee, field communication project manager, Unum Provident
Angela Smith, account executive, JohnsonWaterhouse Public Relations
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Job Networking for Minorities:
Making Local Contacts, Hertitage Room, UC
Trinette Hardison-Ballard, public information specialist, Chatt.
Parks & Recreation
Charlotte Canady, news director, WUSY Radio
Monica Carter, director of communications, Urban League
Efrem Graham, weekend anchor, WRCB Television
Shawanna Kendrick, news producer, WTVC Television
Cheryl Marsh, public information officer, Hamilton County Schools
Yolanda Putman, reporter, The Chattanooga Times Free Press
Aquilla Stanback, news promotions producer, WTVC Television
Candace McRae Walsh, director of special projects, City of Chattanooga
1-2:50 p.m. - Television Reporters and Photographers: How We Do the Job Together, Frist 203
Mike Dunne, weekend anchor/reporter, WTVC Television
Greg Johnson, instructor of radio and television production, Howard High
and former chief photographer, WTVC Television
Thursday, March 8
11 a.m.- 1 p.m. - Pizza with the Pros, Chickamauga Room, UC
Mike Andrews, producer and computer supervisor, WRCB Television
Gina Bennett, news producer, WTVC Television
Lori Cleghon, freelance graphic designer
Amy Jo Coffey, reporter, WTVC Television
Tara Goddard, assistant marketing director, Hamilton Place Mall
Nathalie Hartz, senior account manager, JohnsonWaterhouse
Donna Hentschel, senior art director, ARS Advertising
Jay Holloway, promotions director, WJTT-FM Power 94 Radio
Roger Moss, sales manager, LOV97-99 FM & Rejoice 980 AM
Mike Schuttinga, retail advertising sales manager, The Chattanooga Times
Free Press
Kevin Spain, deputy sports editor, The Chattanooga Times Free Press
Greg Thompson, communications coordinator, U.S. Xpress Enterprises Inc.
Chris Vass, city editor, The Chattanooga Times Free Press
Kevin West, news director, WGOW/WSKG Radio
1:40-2:55 p.m. - Professional Portfolios and Clipbooks, Frist
302
Pat Buckley, creative director, Johnson Group
Kay Parish, marketing director, Unum Provident