By Erin Roberts, roberte1@ohio.edu
Scott Sines, managing editor of The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn., talks to students in the Scripps College of Communication during Scripps Day at Ohio University on Oct. 5, 2009.
Sue Porter, vice president of programs for the Scripps Howard Foundation, critiques the résumé of Emma Frankart, a student in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, on Oct. 5, 2009. / Photos by Brad Vest
ATHENS, Ohio (Oct. 6, 2009)—Nine E.W. Scripps Company executives from throughout the state and the country visited classes and conducted résumé critiques and mock interviews with students in the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University on Monday, Oct. 5, during the fourth annual Scripps Day.
The event helps to connect students in the Scripps College, which is supported in part by a $15 million gift from the Scripps Howard Foundation, to the expertise of E.W. Scripps Company professionals.
“Being on campus renews us as well because we get to see the new generation,” said Bonnie Barclay, owner of The Branding Iron, LLC, an Atlanta, Ga.-based firm that handles marketing for the Scripps television stations group. “Giving up a day in the office is such a pleasure because we all remember being in college and wanting professionals to come to us.”
Associate Professor Gary Kirksey in the School of Visual Communication said his students benefited from a visit from John Sale, assistant managing editor for visuals at The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn. He said Sale’s visit helped students to understand how newspapers are learning to survive in a tough media environment.
“Bringing these professionals in lets students see a different viewpoint of the industry,” Kirksey said. “For instance, John shared how his newspaper is collaborating with MTV to do multimedia pieces to increase their revenue stream. His viewpoint is fresh given the current atmosphere and economic climate that people in the industry are experiencing.”
Scripps College students also took advantage of the expertise of Rusty Coats, vice president of interactive for The E.W. Scripps Company’s newspaper division; Sue Porter, vice president of programs for the Scripps Howard Foundation; and Jane Battes, human resources manager of Scripps’ WEWS-TV in Cleveland, by signing up for exclusive résumé critiques and mock interviews throughout the day.
“I think every interview I have gives me a better understanding of myself and of the interview process,” said Tyler Slentz, a junior in the J. Warren McClure School of Telecommunications and Information Systems.
Tina Stewart, alumni and internship coordinator, said evaluations for the résumé critiques and mock interviews were overwhelmingly positive and believes it’s important for students to have one-on-one interaction with industry professionals.
“I don’t think students always see themselves the way professionals see them,” Stewart said. “For instance, professionals learned through conversations with students of work experiences and time spent abroad that weren’t listed on résumés but were impressive. Students sometimes leave those types of things off résumés because they don’t feel they fit or don’t feel they are important, but, to the contrary, those experiences can make them unique in a pool of applicants, which is always beneficial.”
Mike Phillips, president and CEO of the Scripps Howard Foundation, enjoyed meeting with students to discuss where the industry is headed and said Scripps Day is an affirmation of a longtime partnership yielding positive results.
“We have such a great partnership with Ohio University, and it’s always delightful to come to campus,” Phillips said. “I’m always impressed by the quality of the young people in the Scripps College’s programs and of the young people the Scripps College puts out into the industry. I think Ohio University understands it’s an exciting and changing world, and the students I talk to are well prepared to enter that changing world.”
Porter echoed this sentiment, saying the sampling of students she met with for résumé critiques was impressive.
“I was very impressed with the students, their preparedness, their education and the experiences they have already had through internships,” she said. “Every person I met was workplace-ready. Our Scripps professionals felt the students were very welcoming and attentive and asked wonderful questions indicating that they are well informed and passionate about their majors.”
Other professionals who participated in the event included Tim King, vice president of corporate communications and investor relations at The E. W. Scripps Company; Chip Mahaney, director of digital content for The E.W. Scripps Company's broadcast division; and Scott Sines, managing editor at The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn.