HOLLAND (WHTC) — Holland-area junior and senior high-school students will get a change to delve into journalism this month during a three-day conference hosted by The Holland Sentinel.
Set for Aug. 10-12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Haworth Inn and Conference Center, 225 College Ave., students will meet an array of media professionals, from award-winning journalist Chad Livengood of the Detroit News; Rick VanGrouw, Ridgeline Video Communications‘ owner and creative director
Sentinel editor Sarah Leach says what most young people don’t understand about the media is that “the majority of people the communications field are actually in the smaller markets. They’re working at hometown newspapers and in marketing departments for companies. And, it really can be a fulfiling career.”
She said a journalism degree doesn’t limit a person to working in the media, she said.
Majoring in journalism during collage means developing critical writing, organizing and problem-solving skills she said, all traits employers need to see in job applicants.
The conference will give students a chance to meet and talk with media professionals as well as do writing and reporting exercises.
Other speakers include Sentinel sports editor Dan D’Addona, author of “In Cobb’s Shadow: The Hall of Fame Careers of Sam Crawford, Harry Heilmann and Heinie Manush;” Sinclair Broadcast Group senior web content adviser Richard Harrold; Hope College’s sports information director, Alan Babbit; MLive/Muskegon Chronicle photographer Emily Brouwer; Chris Gautz, Michigan Department of Corrections public information officer; MLive/Grand Rapids Press graphic designer Katie Karnes; WOOD TV8 executive producer Luke Stier and MLive Media Group major account executive Sheila Reinecke. WHTC reporter Peg McNichol is also set to speak at the conference, as is Jeremy Gonsior, owner of The Jeremy Gonsior Group and process validation specialist at Perrigo Co.
The conference costs $25 per student; lunch will be provided each day. Register online before Aug. 7 at http://bit.ly/1WGRtRV.
Listen to WHTC’s complete interview with Sarah Leach:
