The future is bright
Four online media professionals talked to students, faculty and staff about blogging, work schedules and challenges they face in today’s ever-changing new media environment during Student Media Convergence Week at the University of Tennessee on Feb. 21. Photo Brandon Ball, TNJN.com
I had the honor of attending the University of Tennessee’s Student Media Convergence Week. My good friend and former colleague, MSN Multimedia Producer Peggy Collins and I joined Dr. Stovall’s Managing News Websites class then attended a panel discussion with two other online professionals.
Patrick Beeson is a project manager for E.W. Scripps Newspaper Interactive in Knoxville. Patrick is a former colleague of mine and a super sharp guy. He’s someone to keep an eye on. He is always blogging something really profound over at patrickbeeson.com and he makes me feel like an idiot over here at girljournalist.com blogging about nothing. Thanks Patrick. 
He also posted something about the conference on his blog.
Katie Grangju is, as she puts it, “a writer/editor/TV producer/mama” who lives in Knoxville. I’ve been following Katie’s blog for awhile and it was exciting to finally get to meet her in person. She has the kind of energy and deduction to life that fills a room. I’m not sure how she keeps up with it all (Oh wait, yes I do. She admitted to being on the computer in the wee hours of the morning while up with her newborn. Inspiring. That is totally the kind of mom I’m going to be).
So the four of us shared our insight with University of Tennessee students, faculty and staff.
From what Dr. Stovall told us most of the work putting together the conference was done by the students. I could go on and on about how much I was inspired, uplifted and honestly, relieved after this conference. These journalism students are top-notch go-getters. The world is only going to get better after they graduate and hit their first jobs. I can’t wait to see how they change the way we gather, produce and disseminate news and information.
If you haven’t already, take a look at TNJN.com. The student staff manages the 24/7 news site like maniacs. I couldn’t believe how fast they posted a story about the conference (complete with photos by Brandon Ball). Way to go guys! As one on of the founding “parents” of TNJN I am overjoyed to see how far you have taken the site in less than two years. Keep up the good work!