By Whitney Sager

Greenlee Web Team

The fall 2010 Greenlee Futures Forum panel attracted more than 100 students who wanted to learn about being successful in journalism, mass communication and advertising.

The panel of four industry professionals including

• Chris Adams, Investigative Reporter, McClatchy News Bureau
• Barbara Iverson, President, Financial Services Industry Practice Group, Weber Shandwick
• Bill Monroe, Retired Executive Director, Iowa Newspaper Association
• Karol Nickell, Former Editor, Better Homes and Gardens and Reader’s Digest Association

answered questions about the future of the media industry, the skills necessary to be successful after graduation and how to secure internships and jobs.

Chelsea Evers, junior in graphic design and pre-journalism and mass communication, attended the forum. Evers said she wants to work for a magazine after graduation and is currently looking for an internship for the summer. She said that Nickell gave some advice that she had not thought of in her quest to secure an internship.

“One of the most helpful tips she gave was to job shadow over holiday breaks,” Evers said. “I've been so busy applying for summer internships that I hadn't thought about other opportunities to further my career.”

The panelists also discussed what students could do to make themselves better internship and job candidates.

“I learned a lot about who to ask for references, what extracurriculars to be involved in and the value of multiple internships,” said Lindsey Schwarck, sophomore in pre-journalism and mass communication. “I thought it was great that Greenlee put this on and would love to have more opportunities like this to talk to professionals.”

This is the second time the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication has held the Greenlee Futures Forum panel. The first one was held last spring.

The Greenlee Futures Forum is a collaboration between the Greenlee School and the Greenlee School Advisory Council. “We wanted to connect students with professionals provide internship and career information to help students,” said Kim McDonough, internship program coordinator.

The Greenlee School and the Greenlee School Advisory Council plan to continue the Greenlee Futures Forum to bring together students and media professionals.

A portfolio review was held in conjunction with the forum. McDonough said 16 students had their portfolios reviewed by professionals from the journalism and mass communication fields. Each student was paired with a professional who met with them and provided feedback about their portfolios and what they could do to make them better.