Media School Student Ambassadors, Ernie Pyle Scholars visit Chicago alumni, media
The Media School Report
February 6, 2017
Jan. 26-27, Media School Student Ambassadors and Ernie Pyle Scholars traveled to Chicago to visit media outlets and socialize with alumni. Organized by Audrie Osterman, director of experiential learning at the school, the annual trip provides students with behind-the-scenes looks at different media, from news to public relations to advertising, as well as access to professionals working in those fields.
Here are their reports:
The trip
By Grace Palmieri
Words encrypted on the inner walls of the Tribune Tower were timely and powerful reminders to the young journalists passing through on a recent visit to Chicago.
One quote, from George Sutherland, read, “A free press stands as one of the great interpreters between the government and the people. To allow it to be fettered is to fetter ourselves.” Every word on the wall spoke about our first amendment rights.
The Jan. 26-27 visit was part of the annual IU Media School Ambassadors and Ernie Pyle Scholars trip to Chicago. The two days were spent networking with alumni, visiting the city’s top media outlets and checking out the streets of the Windy City. After leaving from Franklin Hall on Thursday morning, we arrived in Chicago around 1 p.m. (shout out to central time for the extra hour). We had a few hours to explore, before some students went on a visit to the Big Ten Network.
Thursday night, we all had the chance to meet and network with some of IU’s most successful alumni. During the day Friday, everyone visited two media outlets of their choice. Students dispersed to the Associated Press, WGN-TV, Chicago magazine and Starcom Mediavest to start. After-lunch visits included the Chicago Tribune, CBS, The Mode Project and Centro.
No matter what facet of media each of us was interested in, there was something to enjoy and learn about on the trip. For me, it was gazing up at those old, marble walls. On our way out of the Tribune building, a quote from Abraham Lincoln caught my eye.
“Let the people know the facts and the country will be safe.”
Big Ten Network
By Jordan Guskey
The Big Ten Network provided our group more than a much needed break from the cold weather we braved throughout our time in Chicago. Members of the Big Ten Network team took us on a tour of the facilities and showed us what happens behind the scenes during productions on both the main network itself and Big Ten Student U. Several in our group are active in IU’s Big Ten Student U program, so they had a chance to see where all their feeds end up at the Chicago network.
We also watched a live segment of one of the shows in the studio. We saw a host work with the talent on screen and saw how both interacted with the production team in the studio and elsewhere in the building. So much more goes on than just what you see in studio, and the people who are in the control room setting everything up and coordinating the show are constantly working to make sure the viewer at home gets the best product.
During our discussion with one member of the staff, a lasting takeaway came during our discussion on what broadcast hopefuls could send in to make their applications pop. The Big Ten Network employee said everyone should look to tailor his or her application to the job and not send a general application everywhere. The hiring employees want to know you’ll fit in the spot you’re applying for.
Meet the Alumni
By Carrie Latimer
The Media School’s alumni network is a powerful resource that I’m thankful to be connected to as a Media School student. As part of our Chicago trip, ambassadors attended a networking event with Media School alumni in the Chicago area.
The evening at Maggiano’s began with some great Italian food and light conversation. After dessert had been served and everyone settled down, Media School Dean James Shanahan addressed the room.
In his remarks, he thanked everyone and expressed gratitude on behalf of The Media School for the support of our successful and inspirational alumni. Dean Shanahan gave updates on the new building and current happenings in The Media School, including comments on the current political environment and the new role of the media. He of course included a few timely jokes— I’ve never heard him give an address that didn’t include his signature Trump impression.
The speech was followed by a showing of the stellar video from the Franklin Hall rededication ceremony. The video by Blueline Media displayed the massive renovation of Franklin Hall, with nods to the building’s past and and how that tradition is carried on today by The Media School.
I had many opportunities to network and chat with Media School alumni. I enjoyed hearing about all of the different things that our alumni do and how their Media School education got them there. I particularly enjoyed meeting Gerry Kern, former editor of the Chicago Tribune and major benefactor of The Media School. We discussed the changing role of the news media and how students like me will change the future of it.
The evening was as informative as it was inspirational, and I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to make new connections.
The Associated Press
By Sarah Verschoor
At The Associate Press, using new technologies and social media to tell stories is at the forefront of the operation.
Our tour guide, Shawn Chen, showed ambassadors and freshmen Ernie Pyle Scholars this first-hand. As the multimedia editor for the AP’s central U.S. bureau, Chen demonstrated how the AP uses 360-degree video technology to report stories.
A recent example is from the Chicago manufacturing company that makes the footballs for the Super Bowl. In the 360–degree video, we saw parts of the ball’s assembly alongside text with more detailed information of the ball’s creation.
Chen spoke of the importance of all reporters being able to shoot video to report their stories. He said while the AP does have photographers and videographers, all reporters should be able to take video on their phones to report.
The central AP site in Chicago that we visited covers stories out of the Midwest and Texas. It is the hub of the region as the staff edits stories from the region and sends some to the national service.
Three recent college graduates who are now at the AP’s shared news desk talked about the editing process. In their role as shared news desk associates, they receive stories from the AP’s member newspapers, and reformat and edit them for different audiences.
Chen said their role helps the AP focus on the target mission: breaking news. While the AP has new tools to tell stories, breaking news is still the most important part of the AP’s work.
It was encouraging to see these three young women already working at the AP so early in their careers. In their role, they edit and do some reporting on stories from around the Midwest.
The AP is one of the nation’s premier news organizations, and it was enriching and exciting to see the work of these journalists and editors up close.
WGN
By Mary Hamilton
WGN is an independent television station in Chicago that provides news to the Chicago area. WGN is one of the most popular stations in Chicago.
Indiana University graduate and WGN morning news anchor Dan Ponce led us on the tour of the facilities. On the tour, we saw both the production facilities and the newsroom. The newsroom is open to encourage communication, which is extremely important in news especially during times of crisis or breaking news. We also watched the 9 a.m. show on the set.
My favorite part of the tour was seeing how the staff interacted with each other. Humor seems to be a keystone of the station. It seemed to be a very positive workplace and an amazing place to work.
Ponce told us that positivity is key in broadcast news. The news tends often is dark, and it would be easy to let that get to you, which is why the staff tries their best to be upbeat and positive at all times.
Ponce shared advice, including emphasizing that aspiring broadcasters must be willing to be street reporters. He said that it is a mistake to go into this career thinking that you want to be an anchor only. He said that everyone should expect to be a reporter first, and then maybe move your way up to becoming an anchor. He also said that if the idea of being a reporter on the streets doesn’t thrill you, then this probably is not the profession for you.
He also said we should expect to start out in small markets. His first job was in Lansing, Michigan, and his parents had to help him with his daily expenses. Although it can be hard at first, your passion for your job should guide you, and your hard work will eventually lead you to a bigger market, he said.
The visit to WGN was not only informative but inspiring. For many of the students there, working at WGN is a dream job.
Chicago Magazine
By Hannah Boufford
Walking in the door of the Chicago Tribune printing and distribution center, which is where the Chicago Magazine office resides, the smell of newspaper and ink hit us like a brick wall.
We took an elevator up to the Chicago Magazine office, led by IU alumna Carrie Schedler. We walked through the office to the large conference room, with old covers of the magazine adorning the walls. A large bookshelf opposite the door contained dozens of collections of the magazine throughout the years.
Sitting at the conference table, Carrie told the group how she bounced around from job to job to figure out what she wanted to do after graduating from IU. She encouraged us to find internships early and follow what we like to do, not what we think we are expected to do.
As a group, we flipped through the February issue of the magazine that was just published a couple of days before, and we were walked through the different sections of the magazine. The wide variety of material that went into the magazine was really interesting to see, and we were told that most of the story ideas were pitched months in advance of the publication date.
Overall, seeing a magazine office was really helpful and interesting, especially for someone interested in going into magazine journalism, and hearing from an IU alumna really helped inspire a desire to follow the same career path.
StarcomMediavest
By Bryn Eudy
Six Indiana University alumni who currently work at Starcom MediaVest took time out of their busy schedules to take current Media School students on a tour of their office, located along the Chicago River. Following the tour of the modern and large office space, we saw a short presentation describing what Starcom does, followed by a helpful Q&A session.
The Q&A session yielded a lot of helpful advice for students who will soon enter the Media workforce. One of the biggest tips: network, network, network! Whether it’s informational interviews or simply speaking with someone who is an alumnus, we should make as many professional contacts as possible. We were encouraged to pick their brains and learn how they were placed at their current jobs.
One of my favorite things about Starcom was the unique culture. The employees have the opportunity to jump back and forth between client teams, focus on different specializations and learn on the job. I also liked the collaborative aspect, both in and out of the office. During the presentation, we were shown photos of staff working together to help repaint the interior of a Chicago public school.
Another inspiring tidbit of information came after a student asked, “What can journalism majors do to set themselves apart from the rest of the applicants?” The students were told that journalism majors have the gift of storytelling, which is extremely helpful in interviews. Being able to explain complex data in a simple, straightforward way is key when speaking with clients. According to the alumni, journalism majors have this skill.
After receiving so much helpful advice, I’m very excited to see where my future career takes me. Maybe one day I’ll be one of the alumni speaking to IU students on a tour at Starcom.
Chicago Tribune
By Jamie Zega
As I grew up in Chicago, the Chicago Tribune was a staple in my early life. I still have Tribune front pages saved in my childhood bedroom from major world and Chicago events, including the start of the Iraq War, when the Chicago White Sox won the World Series and the election of President Obama.
I knew visiting the Tribune with The Media School for the second time would be meaningful, but from my first steps in the doors of Tribune Tower, the visit took on new meaning.
The building is well-known for the Hall of Inscriptions in the main lobby of the tower as well as its outer beauty, which happens to be Indiana limestone. Despite the physical beauty, the hall also evokes a sense of intellectual beauty, as quotes from various figures in history are carved into the stone walls.
“Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press and that can not be limited without being lost.” (Thomas Jefferson)
“A free press stands as one of the great interpreters between the government and the people. To allow it to be fettered is to fetter ourselves.” (U.S. Associate Justice George Sutherland)
“The entire and absolute freedom of the press is essential to the preservation of government on the basis of a free constitution.” (Daniel Webster)
The common point of all the quotes is the importance of freedom of the press and freedom of speech. When I first visited the Tribune in 2015, those words were just great words of wisdom. But now in 2017, those words have taken on an entirely new meaning and importance.
In an age where there are two sides to every fact and “alternative facts” have become the norm, journalism is so, so, so important. As the press, it is our duty to tell the truth and to inform the public. People might want to read certain articles, but it’s our job to make sure they’re learning what they need to know in order to keep our democracy functioning.
Visiting a legacy newspaper’s offices and seeing that put into practice was rejuvenating.
For the majority of our visit, we sat in a conference room, where we listened in on a Page One meeting and then asked questions. All the while, notable front pages from the past few years and from the past two weeks stared down at us.
“Journalism is the first rough draft of history,” I was reminded. It also reminded me of a line from the musical Hamilton: “History has its eyes on you.”
In this case, it was somewhat literal, having front pages look down upon us. It was as if imprisoned former governor Rod Blagojevich and then-President-Elect Barack Obama could look down upon us as the future of the profession, as the ones who will be reporting on the victory of a minority president or holding a governor accountable for his criminal actions.
All that being said, the importance of the journalism profession became that much more important to all of us who saw those historic words carved into the walls and printed on front pages.
As this trip consisted of junior and senior Media School Ambassadors and freshman Ernie Pyle Scholars, most of us who visited the Tribune will be in the workforce before a new president is elected.
History has its eyes on us now as we write the first rough draft of history.
It’s time to step up.
670 The Score
By Cameron Drummond
As a weekend host and an update anchor for 670 The Score in Chicago, Julie DiCaro interacts with radio listeners about everything related to Chicago sports.
These listeners cannot see the inner-workings inside of Two Prudential Plaza in the Loop district of Chicago, but we took a behind-the-scenes look at not only 670 The Score, but also at the live concert venue used by Chicago music station WXRT as DiCaro guided us through the different CBS Radio stations housed in the building.
As we made our way past the different control rooms within 670 The Score, we listened to a segment of the Bernstein and Goff Show from its control room, before joining the show’s hosts in-studio during a break.
Dan Bernstein and Jason Goff responded to our questions about the trials and tribulations of working in the sports radio industry, giving us advice on how to work our way up to a major market like Chicago.
Beyond the on-air talent, we also visited with those formatting soundbites to be played on-air and the sales and marketing staff of the station. This highlighted the many career paths the radio industry offers new college graduates.
DiCaro then provided us with some personal advice on how to succeed in sports media.
“There are so many backdoor ways to get into the industry,’ DiCaro said.
In particular, DiCaro focused on the future of women in sports media as the industry continues to evolve. She stressed the use of blogs, podcasts and social media as important tools to utilize, especially given her background as a lawyer-turned-Chicago sports blogger.
The ability to go from lawyer to radio personality, like DiCaro has done, speaks to the inclusiveness of the sports radio industry, something that was apparent to everyone lucky enough to go behind-the-scenes at 670 The Score.
The Mode Project
By Sanyam Dawar
Jan. 27, we visited Mode Project, a creative studio based in Chicago focusing on design, motion and live action storytelling.
Creative directors Colin Carter and Brooks Ruyle greeted led the presentation about the company’s creative projects for different clients. The office, typical for a start-up, did not have any cubicles; there were a lot of open spaces, a huge white board, Post-Its and Sharpies – all to foster collaboration and creativity among employees.
We watched their video projects, “A Different Way of Thinking” and “Design Innovation,” for Northwestern University. They discussed the process behind these award-winning videos, showing the students various tone boards, rough drafts and assembly edits.
Associate creative director Ryan Butterworth added insightful comments about the process of conceptualization and implementation of ideas while working with other clients.
The hosts also gave great advice to aspiring students wanting to work in the industry. Colin Carter stressed on the importance of writing skills in the industry while Brooks Ruyle emphasized having a purpose or meaning to one’s body of work in a portfolio.
They explained the driving factor for their company – to find new and different ways of meaningful storytelling. The visit ended with a Q/A with the Mode Project team, who addressed company growth, clients and team structure.
The visit was a refreshing experience because the company was nothing like other big studios or production companies. Yet, The Mode Project delivers visual content as good or even better than large production houses. All in all, the visit gave the students a new dimension and perspective about the video production industry.
Centro By Grace Kelly
As soon as we arrived at Centro, we were greeted by Indiana University alumna Jane Naddy for a tour of the office. Some of the many features included green spaces that simulate parks, meditation spaces, a yoga room and a kitchen with a beer tap. All these features encourage collaboration among employees.
After the tour, we visited with a panel of Indiana University alumni, who shared their insight into the culture of the company and what they do on a day-to-day basis. Don’t be afraid to sell yourself was one of the points that stood out.
My thoughts going into the room was that it was going to be a simple presentation talking about what the company does. Although they did briefly give us insight into the company, the staff also offered us invaluable information that left my group and I inspired and hopeful.
They also talked about internship opportunities within the company. The internship is targeted to graduating seniors, who would be ready to accept a job offer after the internship.
As a graduating senior, I was encouraged to hear advice from people who had been in my position not so long ago.