Shameless Self Promotion: Let’s change the state of college media

Here's an excerpt of an article I wrote for The Signal this week. To see the whole article, click here!

Recently, I tweeted "Something tells me I need to start learning HTML and coding." I figured those skills, among others, are important because I am a journalism student and I know the industry is changing. Evidently, I am in the minority.

About a month ago, journalist Lauren Rabiano wrote a blog post in which she ranted about the state of college media. Rabiano had been the online editor for her alma mater's newspaper and she was able to reunite with the paper's manager at a convention, who told her the posi­tion had not been filled since she left.

It gets worse. "At least five different people at the conference (usually the lone web champion or the point-of-desperation advi­sor) told me that they just can't get students motivated about the web," Rabiano said.

I find that deplorable, but, sadly, I see that type of apathy in many media students. There are probably hundreds of journalism students on campus, yet, when I have asked students if they are involved in student media, I usually get a blank stare. I usually get the same reaction if I ask someone if they are involved in professional organizations like the Atlanta Press Club or the National Association of Black Journalists.

Have a great week!