Guelph-Humber gave four media students the chance to go to New York City
The University of Guelph-Humber’s Emerge magazine is nominated for multiple awards being given out at the Spring National College Media Convention on March 12, 2016 in New York City.
Professor Kimberley Noble and assistant program head Kathy Ullyott decided that this would be the first year that students currently enrolled in media studies would have the opportunity to attend.
“I think this was a great decision on our part to push it back into the program- it’s an investment,” said Noble, who is leading the trip.
Noble also said sending third and fourth-year students allows for more information to feed back into the program.
The trip offers a chance for students to attend seminars hosted by international professors along with industry professionals, and bring what they learned back to Guelph-Humber.
Both third-year students Danielle Edwards and Vanessa Spagnuolo are responsible for creating individual presentations to show off what they learned at the conference in next year’s transition to work course.
The graduating students will present their information at an interdisciplinary meeting for Emerge on March 22.
Fourth-year journalism student and editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine Daniela Napoli said that the trip is an opportunity for her to travel that she wouldn’t have had otherwise.
“It’s a really great investment, not only for students who wouldn’t have the opportunity to travel otherwise but it’s a great learning experience that you just can’t get inside the classroom,” said Napoli.
The College Media Association will offer seminars, critiques, innovation challenges and hands-on workshop for students to attend.
“Having this on your resumé is great, but the experience and what you get out of it tangibly is probably the most important,” said Napoli.
The convention acts as a networking opportunity for those in attendance and gives this year’s Emerge magazine an edge.
“I’m going to be learning a lot of insider tricks and how the finalized product should look, so when April comes around a lot of my decisions will be based on what I learned in New York,” said Napoli.
Last year’s publication of Emerge magazine is nominated for the gold crown being awarded by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.
Spagnuolo was accepted to attend the trip after deciding to apply last minute for an opportunity she never thought she would get.
She said that the trip would look good on a resumé as it demonstrates that she was chosen among other applicants to represent Guelph-Humber at an international convention.
Spagnuolo also said that the convention is an opportunity to break out the business cards, “I’m planning on doing a lot of networking…if I can have networks from across the world that is totally beneficial for me.”
Speakers from Miami University, the New York Times, CBS News and a number of other American universities and colleges were present to lecture on dozens of media related workshops.
Noble said that the pool of third-year candidates was overwhelmingly strong, giving a good idea of the type of students that will be working on next year’s Emerge magazine.
“We’ve looked at the third-year applications and we’ll probably pick people from that group and invite them to come next year,” said Noble.
The university had four spots to offer, two for third-year applicants and two for the graduating class.
Spots were awarded based on what students proposed bringing back in their presentation and ultimately came down to their GPA.
Guelph-Humber is funding the airfare, conference admission and hotel for the trip, leaving students to pay only for food and entertainment.
About the Author
Michelle Bedley Is a journalism student, avid reader and aspiring editorial writer.