Experience of a lifetime at KC P&L

Kenzi Hoyle is a senior Public Relations major who recently had an internship with the Kansas City Power and Light District as the Marketing Coordinator Intern. Her internship took place last summer from May until August. Kenzi spent a lot of time researching different places that she might possibly like to intern with and that is how she discovered this opportunity. After working for a summer with the company there are many things she gained from the experience, as well as a few things she wished she would have known beforehand.

Going into the experience she said that she wished she would have known more about computer programs she was asked to use, for example PhotoShop. She said she picked up on it throughout the summer but knowing how to work these kinds of programs beforehand would have made things a little easier. However her favorite part of the internship was learning about her own ability to do new things and learning about everything that goes on behind the scenes of making events happen. She also made many new connections with people in the field that she feels will be beneficial when it comes time for her job search. The most beneficial part of it all was “learning to focus on the next three months and not just what is happening now.” The internship taught her to plan for her future and take initiative to accomplish the goals she has for herself.

Kenzi feels that being in the communication department really helped because of all the hands-on experience we get in our classes. She also would like to specifically thank Dr. Daggs and Dr. Walker for helping her gain this experience and helping her “pave the way” for her future! Her tips to any students interested in this internship are to be professional, prepared, and ready for the unexpected. It is any experience she would highly recommend to students searching for an internship, especially one dealing with event planning. After graduation Kenzi hopes to acquire a job as an event or marketing coordinator.

Northwest Student Media outlets finalists for national honors

Northwest Student Media’s four student media outlets – KNWT Television Channel 8, KZLX LP-FM 106.7, The Northwest Missourian and Tower Yearbook – have each been named a finalist in at least one category in the College Media Association National Pinnacle Awards.

KNWT leads the way with two finalist appearances. The station has been named a finalist in the TV Station of the Year Award category for the second consecutive year, along with Kent State University and Quinnipiac University, and a finalist for Best TV Newscast, along with Quinnipiac and the University of Kansas.

“I am really happy that everyone’s hard work is being recognized. The KNWT staff works so many hours to learn and make the station better,” said Catie Drummund, the student general manager for KNWT for the 2014-2015 academic year. “I get to work on something I love everyday. KNWT is a huge part of my life, and being nominated just reaffirms my decision of choosing Mass Media as a major. I am so proud of what we have accomplished.”

The Channel 8 newscast that earned the finalist award was produced by Drummond, the reporter behind the package is Adam Bochart.  Chance Parsons, who graduated in May, was general manager of the station last year.

KZLX is finalist for Radio Station of the Year for the second consecutive year (it won the award last year), along with California State University-Long Beach and Vanderbilt University. Danielle Mullens, who graduated in May, served as station manager of KZLX in 2014; Chris Roush, this year’s student general manager, served as Sports Director last year.

“It’s an incredible honor to be a Pinnacle finalist, and I am very proud of this station’s continuous work,” Roush said. “Every individual at this station strives to be better, but while doing so, we make each other and the station better. A lot of us have been at this station for multiple semesters and that shows in the quality of programming we produce.”

Will Murphy, adviser to KNWT, said that for both stations to be station of the year finalists two consecutive years speaks to the hard work of the faculty, staff and students in Mass Media.

“Being a Pinnacle finalist for the second year in a row is a very gratifying reminder that our department and our students are in the right place, both physically and mentally,” Murphy said. “Our students do not produce content to win awards; they produce content because they want to hone their craft and share it with their friends, family, and community.”

The Northwest Missourian is a finalist for Best Display Ad, along with the University of Kansas and Missouri State University. Tower is a finalist for Best Yearbook Feature Page Design, along with Baylor University and the University of Miami. Trey Williams, who graduated in May, was editor of the Missourian. Kelsey Schriver is in her second year as editor of Tower.

The newspaper advertisement and the yearbook pages were designed by Caitlyn Burkemper, a sophomore IDM: Visual Imaging major, who is graphics director for advertising for the Missourian this year and is a designer for Tower.

“Design is my life and my passion, and the opportunity to work for the Missourian and Tower has been amazing, and I’m glad I’ve been able to do it since I was a freshman and hope to keep doing it until I graduate,” Burkemper said.

In addition to these two finalists awards, earlier this semester Burkemper was named the winning designer of the new logo for CMBAM: The national College Media Business and Advertising Managers organization. Her logo is now the face of the organization online and in print.

Steven Chappell, who serves as director of Student Publications and adviser to the Missourian and Tower, and was interim adviser of KZLX over the summer, said the students’ accomplishments speak to their education and hands-on training.

“I’ve served as a faculty media manager at six different colleges and universities, and I’ve never had the pleasure of working with more talented colleagues and students than here at Northwest,” Chappell said. “To have all four student media outlets be finalists in at least one category says a lot about the strength of our media program. No other college or university can make that claim.”

Leslie Murphy is the business and underwriting manager for Northwest Student Media. Jonathan Pluskota was adviser to KZLX in 2013-2014.

Winners will be announced at the Associated Collegiate Press/College Media Association Fall National College Media Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Oct. 29-Nov. 2.

A full list of all finalists and their work can be seen at http://www.collegemedia.org/contests/pinnacle_awards/2014_pinnacle_finalists/.

PRomo Spotlight

MARYVILLE, Mo.- Making brochures, writing press releases, updating social media, and planning events is how some Northwest Missouri State University students spent their semester. At Northwest the Communication and Mass Media department provides students with real world experience with the PRomo course.

Three years ago, with the help from Dr. Dave Shadinger, the department revamped the PRomo experience to make it more beneficial for students and their clients. The class is broken into teams with one student being the team leader. Students can take the class two times, once being a team member and then the second time as a team Leader.

“The course isn’t required anymore but it’s a valuable experience,” said Dr. Joy Daggs, Communications professor. “PRomo is a way to give students hands on experience outside of a classroom where they have to create and learn their own deadlines and time management skills.”

Students can enroll into PRomo any semester but the department suggests for students to enroll after taking Public Relation Techniques. Public Relation Techniques will give students experience with creating brochures, writing for social media, and with writing press releases which will help develop proper skills to prepare students for PRomo.

PRomo gives students a low risk client experience. All of the clients that PRomo works with are on campus and no money is involved in the course. It allows students to take real work experience to their internship experiences.

“Students who participate in PRomo are more marketable for jobs and internships,” said Daggs. “We have PRomo students who have internships with Power and Light District, Starlight Theater, and the Glow Run.”

This past semester students enrolled in the PRomo class worked with the MS walk, Emergency Disaster Management, the Wellness Center, Speaking Bearcats, the Talent Development Center, Northwest Missourian, and the Communication and Mass Media Department’s social media sites.

If you would like to learn more about PRomo contact Dr. Dave Shadinger or Dr. Joy Daggs.

For more information regarding the Department of Communication and Mass Media and how it can help you find an internship or prepare you for one, contact Matt Walker at matt@nwmissouri.edu.

 

Digem gets Experience

 

Digem, the Interactive Digital Media organization, got a glimpse at “the real world” on Friday, April 11, touring two businesses in Lincoln, Nebraska. The group visited Sandhills Publishing in the morning and then the advertising agency Swanson-Russell in the afternoon. Sandhills was kind enough to provide lunch for the visiting students and advisers as well. 

 

Sandhills Publishing showed the students the variety of work it does with clients in the agricultural and aviation fields, in print publications, online sites and intranet databases to assist their clients in reaching customers and analyzing sales. In addition, the students learned about the award-winning “green” building which houses the company’s data services.

 

After lunch, the students visited Swanson-Russell, an agency that serves primarily outdoor recreation companies, although it has a diverse client list. Here, students got to see some of the work the company has done with client’s websites. Also, they were treated to a breakdown of a sales pitch presentation, with many of the students taking notes for their own upcoming pitches in advertising courses.

 

Digem organizes an annual trip to interactive media companies nearby. Past trips have been to Omaha, Neb., and Kansas City, Mo.  Any student with an interest in interactive digital media is welcome to Digem meetings which are usually held the first Thursday of each month. To learn more, join the Digem group on Facebook — digem — Digital Electronic Media.

Spotlight- Justin Ross

MARYVILLE, MO- Northwest Missouri State alumni, Justin Ross, made his way back to the university to share his Hollywood knowledge in the classroom with communication and mass media students.

Ross graduated from Northwest in 2003 with a degree in broadcasting and an organizational communication minor. He received his masters of fine arts degree from Florida State University and currently lives in Las Angeles, California. One of Ross’s most recognizable works has been a part of the production of “Texas Chainsaw 3D”.

Ross came back to Northwest this semester to help out the communication and mass media department by teaching Fundamentals of Electronic Media Production, Digital Cinematography and Television Production.

“Television production is my favorite class to teach. I love that all the students are new and I get to expose them to ideas for the first time,” Ross said. “The students are unique because this is the only time a lot of them will make a short film or have been exposed to the art form.”

Besides small workshops during his undergraduate time here at Northwest and a few in class Skype sessions this is the first teaching experience for Ross. It is extremely beneficial for the communication and mass media students to be able to learn from someone with real experience in the field.

Many people in the film producing film would say that their professional goal would be to win Academy Awards but Ross said, “I just want to tell stories for a living.” A producer is the one person who instigates a project and really makes a story work.

“My advice for students would be no matter what you want to do make your life story interesting. Go someplace where you find interesting; if that is Las Angeles, China, or Louisiana that is great. What is important is that you don’t just play it safe,” said Ross.

Ross plans on moving back to Las Angeles to continue work on a few feature films after this semester. He will continue to always remember how Northwest Missouri State University has affected his life and will keep in contact with the department.

For more information regarding the Department of Communication and Mass Media and how it can help you find an internship or prepare you for one, contact Matt Walker at matt@nwmissouri.edu.

Spotlight- Justin Ross

MARYVILLE, MO- Northwest Missouri State alumni, Justin Ross, made his way back to the university to share his Hollywood knowledge in the classroom with communication and mass media students.

Ross graduated from Northwest in 2003 with a degree in broadcasting and an organizational communication minor. He received his masters of fine arts degree from the Florida State University and currently lives in Las Angeles, California. One of Ross’s most recognizable works has been a part of the production of “Texas Chainsaw 3D”.

Ross came back to Northwest this semester to help out the communication and mass media department by teaching Fundamentals of Electronic Media Production, Digital Cinematography and Television Production.

“Television production is my favorite class to teach. I love that all the students are new and I get to expose them to ideas for the first time,” Ross said. “The students are unique because this is the only time a lot of them will make a short film or have been exposed to the art form.”

Besides small workshops during his undergraduate time here at Northwest and a few in class Skype sessions this is the first teaching experience for Ross. It is extremely beneficial for the communication and mass media students to be able to learn from someone with real experience in the field.

Many people in the film producing film would say that their professional goal would be to win Academy Awards but Ross just wants to tell stories for a living. A producer is the one person who instigates a project and really makes a story work.

“My advice for students would be no matter what you want to do make your life story interesting. Go someplace where you find interesting; if that is Las Angeles, China, or Louisiana that is great. What is important is that you don’t just play it safe,” said Ross.

Ross plans on moving back to Las Angeles to continue work on a few feature films after this semester. He will continue to always remember how Northwest Missouri State University has affected his life and will keep in contact with the department.

For more information regarding the Department of Communication and Mass Media and how it can help you find an internship or prepare you for one, contact Matt Walker at matt@nwmissouri.edu.

CoMM Alum Jackie Runde

 

MARYVILLE, Mo. -After graduating college we are expected to take the next step and jump right into the work force. Northwest Missouri State University Communication and Mass Media Department Alumni member Jackie Runde tells us how she is doing since life after graduation.

Runde is the Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator for NorthwestCell located in Maryville, Missouri. “I graduated as an IDM:New Media major in Spring 2012 and really enjoyed my time at Northwest. I met a lot of great people and had good experiences that prepared me for the future,” Runde said.

Runde graduated from Northeast Nodaway High School in 2008 and started attending Northwest in the fall. “I chose Northwest because it was close to home and I had been familiar with the campus and liked it. The appeal of the textbook rentals and laptop computers were also an added bonus. Once I started taking classes I enjoyed that the amount of students in each class was smaller and I felt like I learned more,” said Runde.

After graduation Runde started at NorthwestCell as a Customer Service Representative. Working with customers and helping them with problems or questions was just part of why she enjoyed this position.

“I really liked working with those who came in, but I really wanted to get a job that would use my degree. When the Marketing and Public Relations position became available I applied right away. I was really excited to start my first job that would relate to what I learned during my four years at Northwest.” Runde said she not only enjoys creating ads and working with the public but she also likes the event planning part of her job.

“If I had once piece of advice to give those who are about to graduate I would reassure them that even if the search gets frustrating not to get down about the situation.”                    

Career Day with Betsy Hildebrand

MARYVILLE, Mo. – Searching for internships, applying for jobs, and taking the next step into the big, bad “real world” can all be scary and intimidating especially when you don’t know where to start. Northwest Missouri State University’s Betsy Hildebrand took on the challenge when Northwest held Career Day on March 11, 2014.

Career Day was hosted in Bearcat Arena and held many opportunities for students of all majors. Hildebrand is a junior at Northwest and was interested in pursuing an internship, a requirement for the Public Relations major.

“Walking into the event I was excited to see what companies were there and what opportunities they all had. There was a large variety to choose from and everyone was so nice if you had questions about their booth or company,” said Hildebrand.

Career Day had over 100 attending organizations that targeted students looking for internships, employment, or even furthering their education into graduate school. It was requested that students attending the event dressed professionally and had copies of their resumes available to hand out to employers. 

“I think I got a lot out of Career Day. I was able to hand out my information to a few people and do a little networking. I was super glad that I went and highly recommend everyone to attend at the next one,” Hildebrand said.

For more information about Career Day, internships, employment, or graduate school check out the Career services website at http://www.nwmissouri.edu/careerserv/ to gain more information.

Kristina Hagan- On Campus Internship Spotlight

Did you know there is an internship on campus that is focused particularly around social media? Northwest Missouri State University student, Kristina Hagan along with two other students, nailed this great internship opportunity this spring semester.

This semester Hagan and her coworkers have been working eight hours a week at the University Affairs Office working on Northwest’s social media websites. Hagan updates the websites with upcoming events and information for Northwest students.

“I usually check the Northwest calendar to get ideas about upcoming events to tweet about,” Hagan said. “I also answer questions on our Facebook account and pin ideas on our Pinterest boards. Basically anything to do with social media is what I help with.”

Hagan along with many students in the Communication and Mass Media Department need an internship to graduate. Summer internships are always a popular choice but who knew you could complete those credits during the school year right on campus? University Affairs looks for three Social Media Interns each semester to work on their social media sites.

“After taking social media strategies I thought I would be well qualified for this job,” said Hagan. “One of my friends told me about it and so I applied!”

If you are currently looking for an internship check out how Career Services can help you. Career Services is located in the Administration Building.

Follow @NWMOSTATE on twitter and like their Facebook page for information on upcoming Northwest events.

For more information regarding the Department of Communication and Mass Media and how it can help you find an internship or prepare you for one, contact Matt Walker at matt@nwmissouri.edu.

Student Spotlight: Mallory Daugherty

MARYVILLE, Mo- Being the president of an organization is a responsibility that comes with a lot of hard work, time dedicated to the organization, and commitment shown to keep the organization running smoothly. Northwest Missouri State University’s Mallory Daugherty has all of these qualities and more that make her an excellent president for the Student Activities Council on campus.

Daugherty is a junior at Northwest studying communications which has helped her a lot with her role as President of SAC.  Coming into Northwest Daugherty didn’t know that she wanted to be a communications major but after her internship with Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce in Atlantic, Iowa the event planning aspect of the job really helped make the decision.

“Taking communication classes has prepared me for the tasks that I have to do as president. I have to build relationships and communicate with people not only from our campus but other places as well. The skills that I have been taught in classes have helped make that possible.” Daugherty thinks while all the classes she has taken have given her useful skills for her future but Organizational Communication has helped her a lot with being the leader of an organization.

Building relationships is not the only thing that the President of SAC has to do. Leading team meetings, solving problems, and making sure events run smoothly are just a few more of the responsibilities held in this position.

“It takes a lot of effort, but it is all worth it in the end,” says Daugherty. With the hard work that gets put in, there also gets to be some good things taken from the experience. Recently, Daugherty got to go to Boston, Massachusetts to attend the National Activities Conference where she witnessed potential performers for the SAC organization to bring to Northwest. This allowed her to build relationships and see some great talent.

After getting her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, Daugherty plans to further her education here at Northwest through the Master’s Program. After receiving her MBA, Daugherty hopes to continue in organizational leadership and event planning.