The conference will take place in Detroit from Aug. 1-5.
Photo courtesy of NABJ Convention website.
The National Association of Black Journalists’ annual convention will be held in Detroit this year. Students are buckling down and getting ready for the career-advancing event.
Students are looking for opportunities for internships and jobs as well as gaining credible knowledge for their field. Participants of the career fair include companies like CNN, Raycom Media and ESPN.
“I am creating my schedule of events to attend, reaching out to different professionals to meet at the convention and updating my website,” said FAMU student and NABJ member Nallah Brown.
Ashley Jackson, an alumna of the FAMU School of Journalism and Graphic Communication, has attended the conference three times. The Motor City conference will be her fourth but it’s her first as a graduate.
“Have your stuff together and be serious about it but still have fun,” said Jackson. “Don’t be afraid to go up to CEOs, presidents and vice presidents. They didn’t travel all the way to Detroit just to look pretty.”
Jackson’s first NABJ experience was three years ago in Minneapolis at the ripe age of 17. She stresses the importance. She understands what students should be prepared with to make those connections.
“It’s a difference between having a resume and having something that a professional has looked over,” Jackson said.
Analis Bailey is the chapter president of the NABJ chapter at the University of South Carolina. This will be her first convention since her chapter just became national this year.
“I’m excited to go to the workshops and see what we could do better as a chapter,” said Bailey.
As for the attire for the convention, students are stepping outside of the box. Jackson suggests wearing bright colors and straying away from black suits.
“You have to make sure that you’re personality shows, that you’re open to hear people’s stories,“ said Jackson. “That’s the only way people are going to open up to you.“
Analis joked that she has had her bag packed for weeks.
The convention will takes place Aug. 1-5 at Detroit’s Renaissance Center. The convention will award ESPN commentator Jemele Hill for journalist of the year. Other notable attendees are Tyler Perry, Brandon T. Jackson and Vickie Winans.