Kent State to Host its First Job Fair Focused Exclusively on Communication, Media and Design Professions

The College of Communication and Information (CCI) is hosting its first job fair exclusively focused on juniors and seniors seeking internships and entry-level jobs in the communication, design and media industries. CCI’s JobExpo2013 will be held on Friday, April 26 at The Ritz-Carlton in Cleveland.

Corporations and organizations from Northeast Ohio that hire advertising, communication, journalism, multimedia, public relations, visual design and professionals from related fields are invited to participate in JobExpo2013 and will have the opportunity to meet CCI students, review their portfolios and conduct interviews. Student resumes and biographies will be available in advance to employers who register for the event.

“We are excited about this job fair for two reasons. First, it gives us the opportunity to demonstrate to prospective employers the very high level of professional education we provide for our students,” said CCI Dean Stan Wearden. “In addition to traditional classroom education, virtually all of our graduating seniors will have had at least one internship and will have worked in student media, in our student-operated marketing communication agency, or in our division of TeleProductions. Second, this is a great service to our graduating seniors and our juniors seeking internships. This gives them the opportunity for real-world feedback that will strengthen their interviewing skills, improve their resumes, and lead to jobs and internships that will help them kick off their professional careers.”

Detailed information:
What: CCI JobExpo2013
Where: The Ritz-Carlton, 1515 W. Third St., Cleveland
When: Friday, April 26
11 a.m. to Noon, Employer Set-up in The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom
Noon to 1 p.m., Lunch for up to two recruiters per employer
1 to 4 p.m., JobExpo2013
Cost: Free

More than 110 students from CCI’s Schools of Communication Studies, Journalism and Mass Communication and Visual Communication Design will participate.

Questions: Contact John Butte, 330-672-8304 at jbutte@kent.edu.

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In its 75^th year, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Kent State University is a leading accredited school with cutting-edge curriculum and facilities. The School’s mission is focused on understanding the media marketplace and media-related careers while providing professional undergraduate and master’s programs within the liberal arts tradition. JMC teaches its students to gather information, to present it clearly and to think critically within a legal and ethical framework. It serves as a resource for professional practitioners, for media consumers and for Kent State University. For more information, visit jmc.kent.edu.

School of Communication Studies Advisor Will Compete at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

By Catherine Berry

COMM Advisor Lorie Hopp and her loyal Belgian Sheepdog, Grand Champion Images Majestic Dante, will compete in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Feb. 11 and 12 in New York City.

This will be a first Westminster Show for both of them. Breed judging for them will take place at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 11. If Dante wins “Best of Breed,” he will then advance to Madison Square Garden that night to compete in the Herding Group. The competition at this level is especially tough because many of the breeds competing will have professional handlers, some of whom are well known in the dog show world. Hopp is not a professional handler, but rather an owner handler, so it’s more difficult to catch the interest of the judges.

“It’s always fun to win, but it’s an even greater achievement when we can win over professional handlers, which we’ve done in the past. We have to really be on our game at Westminster, though, since it is the biggest, most famous show in the country,” Hopp said.

Hopp and Dante have been training since he was a puppy, and they started competing in 2005. Since he started competing, Dante has won many breed competitions, a regional specialty and group placements. Additionally, he has Rally Novice and Canine Good Citizen titles. He is also a bronze level grand champion.

Last year, Dante competed in the AKC Eukanuba National Championship in Orlando, Fla., where he won a select, also known as an Award of Merit. Dante is currently ranked in the top 25 Belgian Sheepdogs in the country. He is 9 years old, a veteran, and this may be their only opportunity to go to Westminster.

If they don’t win in their Breed competition, Hopp says she would still be thrilled to win a select. “Award of merit from Westminster would still be pretty darn cool.”

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show airs with the group competition on two nights, Feb. 11 live on CNBC and Feb. 12 live on USA Network both from 8 to 11 p.m. The show culminates when all first place winners from each group advances to the final round of competition, “Best in Show.” Only one dog is chosen to win “Best of Show.” The winner will receive a giant ribbon, trophy and a cash prize. The winner also makes many TV appearances.

Hopp and Dante also have plans to compete later this year at the National Dog Show in Pennsylvania in November.

Get to Know Your Academic Advisors

By: Meghan Caprez

I was still in high school when I first met my academic advisor. My mother insisted on dragging me into the JMC advising office one Wednesday morning Spring 2011 because she’d heard about the old “Walk-In Wednesday” policy. I’d tried to explain to her that it only applied to kids who were actually in college, but she insisted it was for anybody.

They were surprised to hear we were there, demanding to meet with an advisor, especially since I hadn’t even committed to go to Kent State yet. Nevertheless, they sent Amy Wilkins out to talk to us. I sat mortified in the corner while my mom asked question after question. I thought I’d never live it down.

When I did commit to Kent State and attended Destination Kent State, Amy was the advisor who helped me schedule for my classes. Much to my horror, she remembered me because I came in with my mom earlier that year. I think she must have known how embarrassed I was about being the “kid who came in with mommy,” so she joked about it with me to put me at ease. To this day, she still asks me how my mom is doing, and all I can do is smile and roll my eyes at the memory.

There tends to be a malevolent rumor that runs around college campuses concerning advisors. A lot of people don’t trust in the advice they are given in regards to classes and scheduling because they’ve heard through the grapevine about an advisor who gave incorrect information. Those people are missing out on an incredibly valuable resource.

The cool thing about CCI advising is that it’s decentralized. Instead of everyone in the college going to a handful of advisors who know a little bit about each major, students turn to advisors located directly in their school with knowledge about their specific programs. For example, Amy Wilkens is an advisor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Her office is in Franklin Hall, and she knows about every single one of the JMC majors and minors. If I was a VCD student, I would go see Vince Giles in the Art building. If I was a COMM student, I would go see Lorie Hopp in Taylor Hall.

After working with them all summer during Destination Kent State, I can honestly say CCI advisors are the coolest advisors on campus. Who else would lip sync and play air guitar to “Eye of the Tiger” in front a bunch of incoming freshmen and their parents? Who else would spend a half hour with a student just scrolling through and printing out Photoshopped images of Coney from Collegefest 2012? They really care about connecting with the students.

Make sure you take advantage of the services they provide! Schedule an advising appointment today!

New COMM course focuses on propaganda in history

Looking for a new, compelling class to take next semester? The School of Communication Studies is offering the “Media, War and Propaganda” course during Fall 2012 for the first time during a regular semester.

“I’m really excited about the course as a whole,” said Dr. James Trebing, the professor for this course. “I like this kind of stuff, and I hope that excitement is shared with students.” He added that he’s intrigued by the methods used to manipulate people, especially during an election year.

This course will dissect the nature and history of propaganda, similarly to the “Vietnam: Messages from the Cultural Divide” course. Dr. Trebing said he plans to utilize various posters, cartoons and films from history to provide a basis for analysis and class discussion. The majority of the material he plans to use has been produced in relationship to martial war, and some has been derived from cultural war and advertising. This will include Defense Department documentaries, Bugs Bunny and Donald Duck cartoons from WWII, The Day the Earth Stood Still and more.

“Media, War and Propaganda” will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30- 1:45 p.m. To find the class, look for COMM 42000, course number 12200.

While anyone can register for this course, public communication majors can use it as one of their upper division requirements. Hurry up and register before it fills up!

The School of Communication Studies to honor Lambda Pi Eta inductees and excellent students

On April 12, new members will be inducted into Lambda Pi Eta and awards will be given to students of academic excellence. The School of Communication Studies will host this reception in the Moulton Ballroom beginning with a social gathering at 6 p.m. and the program at 6:30 p.m.

The 2012 inductees for Lambda Pi Eta, the official communications studies honor society of the National Communication Association, are Nada Alshibil, Amy J. Beitzel, Connor James Butler, Kara Daugherty, Deborah Ellwood, Mercedes Germino, Erin Hammeren, Shannon Hauska, Lauren Henkin, Allison Hintemeuer, Kristen Huffcut, Thomas J. Jessup, Jr., Hannah Moore, Maria F. Orsini, Melody J. Reese, Kellie Roach, Daniel Matthew Smith, Maria Virginia Straley, Alyssa Nicole Tate, Jennifer L. Walencik and Ashley Wehr.

The inductees have completed 60 undergraduate credit hours and 12 credit hours in communication studies courses, maintained a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA and 3.25 communications GPA, are within the top 35% of their class and are current full-time students.

The school will also present awards to various students for their hard-work and dedication to their studies. Lauren Henkin will receive the Rebecca & Alan Rubin Endowed Scholarship in the amount of $750, Alexander Riddle will receive the Michael Dubetz Endowed Scholarship in the amount of $500 and Tessa Engelhart will receive the Pierce Memorial Award in the amount of $100 to apply toward a book purchase.

This event will be open to inductees, guests and the College of Communication and Information faculty and staff.

Now celebrating its 20th anniversary as the Upsilon chapter at Kent State, Lambda Pi Eta stimulates interest in the field of communication, promotes and encourages professional development among communication majors, provides an opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas in the field of communication, establishes and maintains closer relationships between faculty and students, and assists students in exploring options for graduate education in communication studies.

Kent Communication Society Welcomes New Members

By Britney Beaman

The Kent Communication Society offers students the opportunity to develop new friends, better their leadership skills and make a difference. KCS is searching for new members to join.

“We are hoping to have students join who are interested in really making a difference and getting more involved with the School of Communication Studies … we are looking for leaders and people who are looking for more in our organization than just a resume builder,” Brittany Payne, vice president of KCS, said.

This semester, KCS’s main focus will be the Relay for Life. The society came in 3^rd place last year in overall fundraising and online fundraising, and the goal is to place even better this time around. Kyle Buttermore, president of KCS, said the goal is to raise $4,000 this year. That’s $300 dollars more than the organization members raised last year.

Members also attend socials throughout the semester where they take a break from the work and enjoy time together.

Members meet each Wednesday at 5 p.m. to go over the agenda, talk about committees, discuss ideas for the future, and talk about upcoming events. Free pizza and pop are provided at the meetings, so “make sure you come hungry,” Payne said.

“We are always welcoming new members, and you can join anytime,” she added. “I think that being a part of KCS shows employers skills such as communication, leadership, creativity, and willingness to be involved. Being a part of an organization shows strong leadership qualities.”

Interested in joining? Attend a meeting or email Buttermore at kbutter1@kent.edu! Members don’t have to be communications majors and there are no requirements to being a part of KCS.  There is a $5.00 membership fee each semester.

WHYCCI Summer Classes?

By Britney Beaman

As the semester is coming to an end, it’s not a bad idea to register for summer classes. I know the last thing you probably want to think about is another class right now, but enrolling in a summer class or two isn’t a bad idea. Why you ask?

1. Make hard classes easier: Taking a tough class in the summer will make the class easier for a couple reasons. One, you won’t (unless you choose to) have as many classes to juggle as you would during a regular semester. This gives you much more time to study and focus on the class or classes you’re taking. Two, summer classes are condensed courses, so you won’t have to spend as many weeks in that course as you would during a regular semester.
2. Graduate on time: If you don’t want load up on classes during your semesters, summer classes can help you to graduate in four years. That’s what I ended up doing, and it really helped me out. Each regular semester I took 15 credit hours of class and almost every summer I took a summer class or two. I will earn my Bachelor’s degree in four years and never had a semester over-loaded with credits.
3. Move ahead in your major:  If you choose to take LERs and LSRs in the summer, you’ll have less non-major classes to take during your semesters. As I said before, condensed courses make the classes easier on you, and if you get these classes out of the way, you can move on quicker in your major. This way, too, you won’t have to take as many of these classes as an upper-classman.
4. Improve your GPA: This is another aspect of summer classes that I took advantage of. After a long semester of 12-plus credit hours, taking one or two courses is cake. You have all the time you need to study, do your homework and get a good grade in the class. It’s a great way to improve your GPA a little.
5. Maintain school mode: After a long summer, the first couple weeks of the fall semester can be rough. I know it is for me. I always feel like I don’t remember how to write, I can’t focus and I can’t manage my time, nor do I want to. When you take summer classes, though, you maintain school mode without much stress. Just taking a couple classes at a time is easy and keeps your work ethic polished for the full semester to come.

Summer classes are open for registering now. Below you can find some classes that are offered for students in the College of Communication and Information:

School of Communication Studies

- COMM 15000 Intro to Human Communication: An inquiry into the nature and function of human communication in interpersonal, group and public contexts.

- COMM 26001 Public Communication in Society: Examines communication in public settings. Content includes issues in mass media, political communication and political advertising, news, crisis communication, public opinion and communication in executive, legislative and judicial settings. Students explore the influence of mediated messages via application of mass communication theories and constructs.

- COMM 30000 Communication Research Methods: Introduction to qualitative and quantitative research methods in communication. Students should complete this course early in their program of study.

School of Journalism and Mass Communication

- JMC 20006 Multimedia Techniques: Introduction to basic elements of multimedia journalistic storytelling, including the creation of audio, video, slideshows and multimedia packages for distribution via the Internet.

- JMC 21001 Principles of Advertising: Advertising history, purposes, techniques, media and research; analysis of functions of advertising organizations.

- JMC 40006 Law of Mass Communication: Libel, slander, privacy, copyright, obscenity, regulation of advertising, broadcasting and corporate speech.

School of Library and Information Science

- LIS 30010 Information Fluency in the Work Place and Beyond: Teaches information access, technology and media literacy skills, which enables students to become, not only information literate, but also information fluent-able to move seamlessly among multiple information sources and technologies resources to fill their informational needs whether in the classroom or the workplace.

- LIS 50693 Open Source Software for Libraries: Maximum workshop credit accepted for MLIS degree is 4 semester hours. Intensive examination of special topics of interest to practicing librarians.

- LIS 60001 Access to Information: Examination of information access issues. Topics include discussion of information needs, use of information sources and information access services.

School of Visual Communication Design

- VCD 13000 Intro to Visual Communication Design I: Introduction to the design and illustration program in VCD as well as the design profession. Focus on historical overview, industry standards, job opportunities, creative design process and skills needed to succeed.

- VCD 28000 Photography: Basic camera techniques to provide a better understanding of photography as a creative skill in visual communication.

- VCD 37000 Visual Design for Media Advanced: A lab course which students apply design concepts to computer-generated communication pieces using a layout software program. May not be used toward degree requirements for VCD majors.

For more information about these or other classes offered this summer, visit http://www.kent.edu/summer.

Kent Graduate & Comedian Uses Home Town Roots to Get Laughs

By Meghan Caprez

Mike Polk Jr. has been making fun of Cleveland, Ohio for years. His comedy, especially about Cleveland, has gained him millions of viewers on Youtube.

Polk, 34, graduated from Kent State University in 2001 with a degree in communications and a minor in writing. He spends his days writing ads for a web company in Cleveland, but at night, he shares his talent for making people laugh.

Polk does not put all of his comedy on his Youtube page, but even he is surprised by the response some of his videos have received.

“Some things take off that I am proud of creatively, and that is a good feeling, but some dumb videos that I do find popularity and that makes me question mankind,” Polk said. “It’s a mixed bag.”

Some of Polk’s more popular videos include music. His “One Semester of Spanish – Love Song” had more than seven million views online, and he was featured on a Spanish television show called Telemundo singing the song to celebrity socialite Kim Kardashian. This video earned him the nickname “Spanish Mike.”

Another popular video was titled “‘Ooh Girl’ – An Honest R&B Song,” which racked up more than nine million views.

Perhaps Polk’s most famous videos throughout the greater Cleveland area are his hastily made Cleveland tourism videos and his Cleveland Browns fan rant. The hastily made Cleveland tourism videos are a two-part spoof of Cleveland’s economy and structure. Neither of the videos were over a minute long, but they created a buzz in the community. In response to the videos, the Cleveland tourism bureau released a series of commercials to showcase the city in a better light.

Polk created “A Browns Fan’s Reaction To Today’s Game Against Houston” in 2011 as a response to the November 6 game against the Houston Texans. The video features Polk in front of an empty Cleveland Browns Stadium at night, yelling at the building about his frustrations as a fan. The top comment on the video states, “This was the best performance by someone in a Browns jersey all year.” The original video currently has more than a million views, but other Youtubers copied the video for more views.

Polk has not always been as eloquent as he is now, though. He gives credit to his classes and activities at Kent for helping him to get over his stage fright.

“I still have the video from my first speech that I gave in Communications 101 and it’s utterly painful to watch,” Polk said. “I am ridiculously nervous while presenting whatever drivel I was spouting off. So it helped me overcome that fear, I suppose.”

Polk said he learned many life lessons when he was at Kent, but he can’t remember a single thing any individual class taught him. Each skill, though, helped him to get where he is today.

“You learn about people and about self reliance,” Polk said. “You learn different perspectives. That’s the important stuff. Since I have graduated, I have used the life lessons that I learned at Kent every day of my life, but I’m yet to be asked by anyone what the Seven Ideas That Shook The Universe are.”

Polk said that he has no intention of quitting his job to become a full-time comedian, even after all of his online success. He said that his future is not clear to him.

“I’m 34,” Polk said. “Is that too old to come back to Kent and live in Tri-Towers?”

CCI is now on Pinterest!

By: Emily Horne

Pinterest, a virtual bulletin board, seems to be the new “it” Web site and social media outlet that many people are talking about. While it has not entirely reached the business and organization audience, Kent’s College of Communication and Information (CCI) is now on Pinterest. Like some other universities, CCI has been researching the best ways to utilize Pinterest. There seem to be mixed opinions on whether universities need to be on Pinterest yet or not but why shouldn’t Kent’s College of Communication and Information be one of the first?

What other universities are doing:

1. Contests
2. Showcasing its Personality
3. The Student Experience
4. Study Abroad Destinations
5. Dorm Room Decorations
6. Artwork Created by Students
7. Achievements from Alumni

What can students gain from CCI’s Pinterest profile?

1. CCI Student, Alum and Faculty Successes: Many people with connections to CCI go on to do great things during or after their time with the college. On this board, followers can see what these people are doing.
2. School of _________: There is a board for each of CCI’s four schools that showcase information about the school and stories that relate. Pay attention to these boards if you are a prospective student, a current student, or a former student!
3. Facilities: This board showcases the great facilities each of CCI’s programs are housed in. From the recently renovated facilities in Franklin Hall to the Resource Room in the Art building, CCI’s programs offer their students the best.
4. Study Away: CCI offers a variety of study away programs. Here, we are pinning information about various programs.
5. Why CCI Kent Blog: Here we are reposting blogs posted here on our Why CCI Kent blog to reach more students.
6. For Future Students: Students interested in CCI, whether current college students in other majors or current high school students, can look to this board for basic information.

Send us your work:

We would love to begin showcasing student work (artwork, photography, research, Web site design, etc.) on Pinterest. If you are interested in seeing your work on our page, please send an E-mail to ccikent@kent.edu with your work, a caption, and a link (if applicable) to attach to the pin.

Follow CCI Kent State:

Follow us on Pinterest to keep up on the latest information.  http://pinterest.com/ccikentstate/ Also, please help us to promote our Pinterest account. Share it on Facebook, Twitter and repin our pins that interest you!

JMC and COMM Majors Shouldn’t Stress About Changes in the Professional World

By Britney Beaman

Technology is forcing a wave of change onto journalism and communication professions. Take a deep breath and swim with the current, because this isn’t a bad thing.

According to Jeffery T. Child, an assistant professor and undergraduate coordinator for the School of Communication Studies here at Kent State University, it’s an opportune time to study communication. The Internet has changed the way that people communicate, seek news and organize information.

“We’re in an era where communication skills have never been more important, given how online communication has changed the available means for interaction,” Child said. “People need help understanding communication in different contexts, for different goals, through different channels and understanding the rich avenues for the study of interaction in this day and age when so many jobs require such an advanced communication skill set.”

The media in which people communicate and gather information may be evolving from print and face-to-face meetings to the Internet, but the basics still remain.

“It’s not changing in terms of the basics, meaning, accuracy, credibility, thoroughness and fact-checking,” said Jan Leach, an assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Kent State, said. “It is changing in delivery, desire for media, finding it and those kinds of things.”

That’s a good thing for COMM and JMC majors. The basics that students are taught at Kent State are those listed in the Forbes article The Seven Most Universal Job Skills. Here’s how:

1. Top-Notch Communication Skills- Students in COMM and JMC studies are taught communication skills from day one in their core classes, like Introduction to Human Communication and Introduction to Mass Communication. Then this knowledge turns into skills as students progress in their upper-level classes.
2. Creativity- Whether it’s choosing an angle on a news story or developing a new way to reach an audience, COMM and JMC students learn diverse and creative skills to make an impact when it matters.
3. Curiosity- Students in both schools are expected to be curious, so they can find more news stories and consider the effective functioning of communication contexts in growing fields, such as the health industry and the new major concentration in health communication.
4. Good Writing Ability- Not only do both COMM and JMC majors at Kent State have plenty of writing to do between the research papers, campaigns and news stories they must write for classes, but the students are taught to write professionally.
5. Ability to Play Well with Others- Students within both majors experience teamwork through group projects, clubs and organizations.
6. Re-engineering Skills- Using a variety of clients for projects, interviewing people in many different industries and developing an understanding of communication theory and practice are just a couple of ways that Kent State helps its COMM and JMC students become re-engineering.
7. Computer Skills- Various courses in COMM and JMC help students to be familiar with different computer programs, social media and online researching tools.

These schools aren’t going to leave students treading water with these basic skills, though. Each has made changes in the learning sequences that flow with the wave of change in the professional world.

This past year, the School of Communication Studies added two new concentrations in global communication and health communication. This allows students the ability to acquire critical communication skills required for jobs in demand today.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication offers a high-tech TV and print newsroom where students can practice the skills they learn in the classroom. Both schools have adopted online classes and hybrid (online and face-to-face) courses to keep up electronically.

Students need to take the initiative to swim with the current, too.

“Effective students are those who love learning, do everything they can to further invest in their education and be fully present in it,” Child said. Do this by standing out to professors, joining groups, being involved in your professors’ research and applying for internships that provide opportunities for enhanced skill development and networking.

These experiences will help you to land a job in an economy that’s tough for everyone.

“It’s a tough job market for everyone in all markets,” Leach said. “If you have multiple skills (interview, practical, multimedia and news skills) and really, really work at them, you’ll have an excellent chance of being employed in your field.”

Within this job market, traditional jobs are evolving with the Internet. Opportunities in both communication jobs and journalism jobs are more and more online focused.

So, the wave of change in communication and journalism fields may be creating different types of online jobs, but the basic skills professionals will need remain the same. Kent State COMM and JMC students are being prepared for the changes.

Here’s an eye-opening video about how the Internet and social media is changing communication and journalism in important ways…

Social Media Revolution 2012