Recently, the 2013 Job Outlook survey of employers by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) was released and communication skills and majors were ranked highly by employers.

“The survey of employers by the NACE demonstrates the centrality and importance of communication skills and training to be effective in the workforce today,” said School of Communication Studies Associate Professor and Undergraduate Coordinator Jeffrey Child. “Communication is in the top five degrees overall that employers are most interested in among any college graduate today and effective verbal communication skill ranks at the very top of qualities that a range of employers seek out.  Communication skills and training ranked higher in importance among employers than any other technical skill that students might pick up at college.  Majors from the School of Communication Studies are well poised for success in the professional world and have a skill set that is in demand among employers today.”

According to the survey:

• Communication is in the top 5 degrees in demand by employers according to the Job Outlook 2013 survey from the NACE.
• Communication studies is the top type of communication degree in demand by employers.
• Seventy-four percent of employers said they seek written communication skills and 67 percent reported seeking verbal communication skills as the top attributes on a candidate’s resume.
• NACE reported that the ideal candidate is a good communicator who can make decisions and solve problems while working effectively in a team.
• On average, employers rated communication skills between very and extremely important.
• Problem-solving skills, written communication skills and teamwork are also highly sought after.
• The top communication degrees in demand are: Communication, public relations, advertising.
• NACE reported that employers rate the ability to verbally communicate with people inside and outside the organization as the highest quality in a candidate.

Jan Leach, associate professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, helped write a digital newsbook titled “Telling the Truth and Nothing But” about plagiarism and fabrication produced and released by the National Summit to Fight Plagiarism and Fabrication.

Craig Silverman, the award-winning journalist and the founder of Regret the Error, started the idea for the book last summer when he wrote about incidences of journalistic plagiarism. His article on Poynter Online asked senior newsroom employees about the incidents but he received no response. From his frustration, he wrote “Journalism’s Summer of Sin marked by plagiarism, fabrication, obfuscation” and said that newsroom employees are unwilling to acknowledge and take responsibility for this problem. According to the article, Silverman suggested “journalism’s leading professional organizations have their ethics committees (and/or boards) look at this issue, gather what material and policies they have, and determine what guidance they can offer to newsrooms.” Teresea Schmedding, president of the American Copy Editors Society, responded to his post agreeing with the need for high-level analysis of plagiarism. From that, the book project became a reality.

“I think members of the Summit, including everybody who participated and the sponsoring organizations, realized how urgent this issue is because there were and are so many high-profile instances of plagiarism and fabrication,” Leach said. “All these cases chip away at journalism’s credibility.”

Schmedding contacted Leach last year to ask her to contribute to the digital newsbook. Three committees were created and each was assigned a specific part of the book to complete. The three sections are: “Defining the Problem,” “Preventing Infractions” and “Responding to the Inevitable.” Leach was part of the definitions committee along with Henry Fuhrman, Los Angeles Times chairman; Maria Cianci, Yahoo.com; Pam Fine, University of Kansas; Dylan Smith, Lion Publishers/TucsonSentinel.com; Mark Willis, Sirius SM Satellite radio and Stacey Woelfels, University of Missouri. The definitions committee wrote part of the book’s introduction, plus Chapter 2 “Defining the Problem,” and various parts of the report.

“We did individual research, wrote and edited specific parts of the chapter and collected material and resources. There was a lot of sharing and talking. We had a very tight deadline because we started work in December and turned everything in for compilation and editing in February,” Leach said. “I’m also quoted in Chapter 3 about who plagiarizes or fabricates. For that part of the report, I was interviewed via email by Patrick Smith of the Omaha World-Herald, another participant on a different committee.”

Leach believes this book is a useful tool for many types of authors.

“The book should be a useful tool for editors, educators and everybody who collects information for distribution,” Leach said. “It’s a practical guide with specific examples and prescriptive examples to avoid plagiarism.”

Why should students and recent college graduates read Share or Die: Voices of the Get Lost Generation in the Age of Crisis? Because it is written specifically for young adults by recent graduates who can relate to their experiences.

According to the website, “Share or Die is an anthology with stories by an astonishing variety of recent graduates and twenty-something experimenters who are finding (and sharing) their own answers to negotiating the new economic order. It contains 25 articles with hands-on, practical advice about career, relationships, travel, education, housing, and volunteering.”

Don’t forget to visit & read more information about the book’s editor Neal Gorenflo, co-editor Malcom Harris & all the different authors who contributed to the book.

Interested? Check out some of these excerpts from the book!

•        “Unprepared: From Elite College to the Job Market,” by Sarah Idzik
•          “The Gen Y Guide to Collaborative Consumption,” by Beth Buczynski
•          “Get on the Lattice,” by Astri von ArbinAhlander and Yelizavetta Kofman

Post-College Flow Chart of Misery & Pain by Jenna Brager

Interview with Malcom Harris, co-editor of Share or Die: Voices of the Get Lost Generation in the Age of Crisis

• Why do you think this book is so influential and helpful for recent college grads and twenty-somethings?

I think there’s a lack of writing by and for young people about their lives that isn’t also trying to sell them something. If our readers identify with the book, that’s partly because it’s written almost entirely by people facing the same life conditions as they are.

• Why did you enjoy being an editor & author for this book?

A great thing about the process was getting to work with so many great young writers and artists. Some of them were friends in advance, but a lot of them weren’t. Doing a collection means searching out some voices people haven’t heard before, and that was a lot of the fun.

• What do you think the greatest message in this book is to the Generation Y population?

It’s right there in the title: Share or Die! What I hope people take away from the book is that what feel like individual problems are often times social problems, especially with this generation that’s been pathologized, entitled, etc. And social problems only have social solutions.

• Why do you think this book is something the Generation Y population needs at this time in society?

I’m not sure if society needs the book necessarily, but I think we’ve got to pay attention to some of the ideas in it. We’re up against the hard bounds of resource crisis, and if we don’t find ways to share what we’ve got, there’s going to be even more unnecessary misery.

• Would you have found a book like this helpful when you were a recent college graduate?

I’m sure I could have used it!

• How do you think the different stories by different authors help contribute to the diversity of the book?

The goal is for every reader to connect with at least one portion of the book. The more ways we can find to reach out to people and show them that they’re part of larger social patterns, the more people will find the book useful.

The College of Communication and Information is currently taking nominations for its third annual CCI Faculty and Staff Awards program. Five awards will be bestowed to honorees at the All Schools Retreat in August:

• Distinguished Teaching Award: Nominate professors who are full-time tenured faculty members with seven or more years of teaching experience in CCI.
• Outstanding Teacher Award: Nominate a professor who is a non-tenure track or part-time faculty member with a minimum of five consecutive years teaching in CCI.
• Distinguished Service Award: Nominations for this award should provide superior service to the school(s) and/or college.
• Distinguished Advisor Award: Nominate an advisor who goes ‘above and beyond’ in his/her helpful and positive attitude regarding the guidance of students.
• Distinguished Scholar Award: Only Kent State tenure or tenure-track faculty members can make nominations.

Nomination forms can be turned in in the College office, Rm. 131 Moulton Hall, by 5 p.m. on May 31 and may be sent through campus mail or emailed to the College email address. Online forms and more information about each award can be found online. All nominations will be held in the strictest confidence.

A nomination for your favorite teacher, advisor, or scholar is a great way to say thank you to that certain faculty or staff member for all of his or her hard work during your college career.

Written by former student Bryan Kelly, the terror-filled tale weaves the story of five young actors who reenact a grisly murder-suicide that occurred at Heathridge University 20 years ago. However, they come to realize it’s not just a simple reenactment. The students soon learn one thing – evil is real.

At this time, more than 50 aspiring filmmakers are tackling the groundwork for this movie in Associate Lecturer Traci E. Williams’ three-hour preproduction class. From working on teasers to casting talent, this is a real film production.

“I’m always trying to top the previous project,” Williams said. “And ‘Hell at Heathridge’ will do just that.”

For this project, Williams is teaming up with JMC Associate Professor David Smeltzer to give students a taste of the real-world film industry. With Williams’ experience working with Hollywood icons such as George Clooney and Denzel Washington, and Smeltzer’s experience creating the award-winning documentary “Lucy in Disguise,” they create a knowledge-packed team. Also bringing her 16 years of expertise in the TV and film industry, working on shows like “Charmed,” is senior Estee Hodge.

“Nobody else is doing this,” Hodge said. “Not even world renowned film schools.”

To prepare for the summer shoot, student directors Tyler Pina and Caroline Abbey are leading the preproduction phase. Pina and Abbey are working together with a large student crew to schedule, budget and cast the film to get ready for the shoot starting June 10 and ending August 3.

KSU Independent Films will then premiere the film in front of hundreds at a red-carpet event in 2013. Soon after, “Hell at Heathridge” will hit the international and national film festivals. The producers are also looking to secure a distribution deal for the movie.

“We’re totally revolutionizing the electronic media production program,” Pina said. “This is the biggest project of our lives.”

Williams is hoping to use the success of “Hell at Heathridge” as a platform to launch a film program at Kent State.

“My vision, my dream, is to one day have a full, functional sound stage here at Kent State,” she said.

Even without an official program, Williams and her students have all ready created two other feature films: “Breaking News,” a national award winner, and “Research: The Musical,” a musical comedy with original songs written and scored by students.

Williams and Smeltzer continue making films out of their dedication to give a whole range of students real-life working experience – even those students outside the electronic media production major.

“It doesn’t matter what your major is. I will find a use for you,” Williams said. “From accountants to fashion designers, anyone can join and help out.”

Everyone involved in this film project is truly dedicated, she said. Not only are they using this experience to help launch their careers, but they are making a name for Kent State University and filmmaking in Ohio as well.

For more information about the film or how you can donate, visit KSU Independent Films’ Kickstarter page at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/92739116/hell-at-heathridge-a-feature-length-psychological or visit its website at http://kentstatefilms.wordpress.com.

These were the vital statistics of CCI’s JobExpo2013 – Kent State’s first job and internship fair specifically for juniors and seniors from every undergraduate degree program in the Schools of Communication Studies (COMM), Journalism and Mass Communication (JMC) and Visual Communication Design (VCD). JobExpo2013, held on April 26 at The Ritz-Carlton in Cleveland, attracted an impressive array of regional employers, including national advertising agencies, integrated marketing communication agencies, TV stations, radio stations, newspapers, magazines, healthcare insurers, banks, national corporations, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

But the numbers behind JobExpo2013 tell only part of the story. The real value of JobExpo was measured in contacts and connections. Students spent nearly three hours in one-to-one conversations with hiring managers and industry professionals, and employers had the opportunity to meet CCI’s aspiring professionals, review and collect resumes and offer advice.

JobExpo2013 closed to great reviews from industry professionals and CCI students, including these:

Industry Perspectives

• “Kent State has one of the top communication programs in the country. There is great benefit for us to meet these students and for the students to see the wide variety of employers Cleveland has to offer – all in one room.” – Cari Jeanne Steiner, Fahlgren Mortine

• Your students are fantastic! I’m impressed with their professionalism and enthusiasm. They are well prepared, they ask relevant questions, and they’ve done their research. The event itself is a great idea because communication majors are in demand. We’re hoping to connect with a few Kent students this summer for fall internships.” – Monica Conklin, Cleveland Cavalier

• “As job fairs go, this one was exceptional for what we need. The narrow focus on communication and media compared to other job fairs is fantastic! My time was well spent.” – Susan Pace, WJW Fox

• “The students are definitely well prepared compared to others I’ve met, and go to college campuses throughout Ohio. The students dressed well, they were ready to ask questions and they were not afraid to put themselves out there.” – Kimberly Joyce, Medical Mutual

Student Perspectives

• “JobExpo was a wonderful event. I’m so happy the College did this for us. We can never go wrong increasing our network of contacts.” – Thomas Jessup, senior applied communication major

• “Through the Expo, I learned that there are many broadcasting opportunities outside the newsroom. This was a great networking opportunity, and journalism is a who-you-know business. It’s at events like this that we get to know people.” – Jonathan Jankowski, senior broadcast journalism major

• “There were so many businesses and agencies I didn’t know about. I definitely recommend CCI do this again. What a great opportunity!” – Whitney Gibson, senior magazine journalism and information design major

• “This was a good experience and a beneficial event. Even when agencies aren’t hiring designers, they take my resume because they know someone who might be.” – Crystal Chow, senior visual communication design major

• “I learned how to show myself in the best light, and I learned different ways to make my resume stand out.” – Matt Orzag, senior public relations major

JobExpo2013 was principally organized by John Butte, JMC’s new coordinator for career services, whoalso sponsored resume workshops with industry professionals prior to the event. “The ability of juniors and seniors to have structured conversations with perspective employers and professionals in their fields is extraordinary. For example, the news director of Cleveland’s WOIO/WUAB was here all afternoon talking to long lines of students,” Butte said. “Through JobExpo, we are introducing our best and brightest to Northeast Ohio employers. For a region long concerned with brain drain, we are taking positive steps to keep our best talent right here.”

“This first internship and job fair was a tremendous step toward increasing the level of service we provide to our students,” said JMC Director Thor Wasbotten. “We look forward to showcasing our students to prospective employers in the future.”

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.

Moses is the new senator of the College of Communication and Information (CCI). She is majoring in applied communication with a double minor in media literacy and public relations. As senator of CCI, Moses’ job is to represent the voice of all CCI students. One of her many responsibilities is to keep scholarships objective and make sure all undergraduate students have equal opportunities through the student government. Moses felt that she is a good fit for this position because she is an effective communicator and can relate to any CCI student. “I have a good understanding of the overall interests of CCI,” said Moses.

Patel is now the executive director of USG. His position involves being the spokesperson for the students, acting as liaison between the university administration, Board of Trustees and the USG, creating programs and initiatives to enrich the lives of Kent State University students, and much more. Within in the past two years, he has held positions such as director of student involvement and director of communications.  Patel’s passion for Kent State is what drives his involvement with student government. “I want to give back to a school that has given me so much,” said Patel, “When I saw the opportunity to make things come full circle and further improve the university, I knew it was my time.”

Both Moses and Patel agree that their experiences within CCI have contributed to their campaign success. Moses felt that skills she learned in advertising, visual design and public relations helped her while putting together her campaign. “The High Impact Professional Speaking class really helped me to be a confident speaker,” she added. Moses also noted her experience studying abroad in London as significant to her campaigning. “Working closely with Michelle Ewing and Dr. Danielle Coombs gave me advertising and public relations insight that taught me how to campaign,” Moses said. Moses is also very involved in student media, which she said keeps her up to date on what is happening on campus.

Patel said that holding multiple positions for Phi Delta Theta fraternity is what started his involvement on Kent’s campus. “My involvement in my fraternity has given me countless real-world experience and it has provided an amazing platform to network with,” said Patel. He was further introduced to the Greek Community and various aspects of the university as a result. Patel has been involved with different organizations such as Focus on the Future, Black United Students, Distinguished Undergraduates and more. Patel said that the remarkable insight he gained about student life is what ultimately made him want to share his experience with the rest of Kent State.  “As a communication studies student, I knew I wanted to change how USG reached students and presented information,” said Patel.

Both Moses and Patel want Kent State students to be more aware of what is happening on their campus and encourage them to get more involved with student government. “As much as this can be a boring thing for students to hear about, current legislation really affects students and their ability to be successful students and future professionals,” said Patel. Moses suggested that students attend the public USG meetings every other Wednesday, at 5 p.m., in the Governance Chambers, to see what is currently happening and pitch their ideas. Moses wants students to know that USG “is not an unapproachable thing.”

Moses and Patel both stressed the significance of USG’s Student Allocations Funding opportunities as something for students to take advantage of. Students and organizations are able to request funds to go on conferences that pertain to their major. “This is an amazing way for students to get real world experience and network with professionals across the country,” said Patel.

Patel encourages students to “follow a passion and get involved on campus! Plain and simple.” Applications and more information can be found in the USG office and online at usg.kent.edu.

Sixteen students and three faculty members traveled south of the equator for two weeks in March to tell the story of the people, places and things in Curitiba, Brazil. The students were members of the College of Communication and Information’s International Storytelling course.

“I’ve never stepped foot outside of the United States until this class, and I’m thrilled,” said Molly Devaney, senior broadcast journalism major. “We had an unbelievable journalistic experience. We partnered with an intelligent bunch of Brazilian students who wanted to learn just as much about us as we wanted to learn about them.”

Kent State University partnered with the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná. PUCPR lent the Kent State group facilities to use as a newsroom, equipment and most importantly their students. The Kent State student teams partnered with the PUCPR students to help with their reporting and contacting sources.

“Sure we could go to Brazil anytime, but to work with students just like us is an experience like any other,” said Jason Kostura, junior broadcast journalism major. “Sometimes it takes an experience like that so you can step back and just say wow.”

The students spent all day covering unique aspects of Curitiba and Brazil in general. Students covered stories, such as the booming Catholic population in Brazil, hazing, the public transportation system of Curitiba, Curitiba favelas and more. Two Kent students went to Iguaçu Falls to report on the world’s largest hydroelectric power plant.

When the students weren’t reporting, they spent most of their time bonding with their Brazilian partners or exploring the city of Curitiba. Some of the highlights included an outdoor Curitibian market, a bus tour of the city, Oscar Niemeyer Museum and botanical gardens.

Most of the trip was devoted to reporting, but there was free time for the students. The last portion of the trip was spent in Rio de Janeiro, where the students had nothing to do but explore. While in Rio, the students saw the Christ the Redeemer, took the cable car to Sugar Loaf mountain and caught some rays on Copacabana beach while soaking in the Brazilian culture.

“The class was everything I had imagined,” said Glenn Bolich, senior broadcast journalism major. “The students we met in Brazil were helpful and fun to be around. It was such a fun time, and I would recommend it to anyone.”

The International Storytelling course meets all semester. Before the trip, students create a story with a connection to the country they are going to, as well as plan out the stories they want to do while there. One of the most fun parts of the class is “meeting” the partners via Skype. The week before and week of spring break are spent in the foreign country. Once the students return to Kent, they work on producing all pieces of their stories and launch the Dateline website.

“The resources and opportunities made available to us through the Brazilian university and student partners were amazing,” said Alyssa DeGeorge, senior magazine journalism and visual communication design major. “It’s crazy to think how significant a two-week time period can be. We developed our journalism skills, expanded our horizons and formed close friendships. You don’t come back from a trip like this the same person.”

Want a FREE seat? Tweet or retweet anything about the conference using #YouToo2013 until Friday, April 12, and you could win. Read contest details.

Communication expert Shel Holtz will discuss social visualization strategies and tactics as the keynote speaker at the Akron Area Public Relations Society of America’s YouToo Social Media Conference on Friday, April 19, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kent State University’s Franklin Hall.

“The rise of social visual communication, with platforms like Pinterest and Instagram, require communicators to think about how images can convey messages, tell stories and engage audiences when they stand alone,” Holtz said. “Gamification also presents communicators with new ways to engage audiences, adding game elements to more mundane activities. The question for both is, how do communicators apply them so they won’t just be another shiny object in the communications toolkit but rather help move the needle?”

Five-time winner of IABC’s Gold Quill award, Holtz has nearly 35 years of experience in organizational communications in corporate and consulting environments. His experience includes corporate public relations, crisis communications, media relations and more. Holtz also has expertise in strategic communications planning, communications research and the integration of technology into communications strategies. He speaks frequently on different topics, such as strategic organizational communication and the application of online technology. Holtz just celebrated his eighth year of podcasting with For Immediate Release: The Hobson and Holtz Report.

Kevin Dugan will serve as the opening speaker at the social media conference. Dugan is the director of marketing at Empower Media Marketing and founder of the Bad Pitch Blog. He has won six national awards for his work in public relations. Dugan is an expert in social media, marketing communication, public relations and media relations.

The conference, co-hosted by Akron Area PRSA and the Kent State Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), also will have breakout sessions in the morning and afternoon as well as panel discussions by experts discussing social visualization more in-depth. Other speakers include:

• Luke Armour, assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and coordinator of Flash Communications, Kent State University
• Carolyn Fertig, digital producer, Marcus Thomas, LLC
• King Hill, senior vice president, Marcus Thomas, LLC
• Allison Peltz, Social marketing strategist, Rosetta
• David LaBelle, director of photojournalism in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Kent State University
• Scott Linabarger, senior director, multichannel content marketing, Cleveland Clinic
• Katelyn Luysterborg, social marketing specialist, Rosetta
• Amy Martin, vice president of marketing and communications, The Centers for Families and Children
• Heidi Modarelli-Frank, vice president/public relations, Marcus Thomas, LLC
• Phong Nguyen, art director, Marcus Thomas, LLC
• Kelly Piero, corporate communications, Diebold Incorporated
• Jenn Yokley , manager of corporate communications, Quicken Loans Arena

Students can attend the conference for just $40.

“As a student who has attended past conferences, I can say from experience the YouToo Social Media Conference is a great way to network with professionals and learn more about the industry,” said Taylor Titus, a senior public relations student who is the student co-chair of the event. “I also gained a lot of tangible knowledge I can use now in my school work and future career. The conference is a great experience for upcoming young public relations professionals, and I highly encourage you to attend.”

Students will benefit additionally from this year’s student-only development track at the conference. A student-only morning breakout session provides a unique Q&A with Holtz as he talks about how he got into the industry and relates his experience to the students. An afternoon wrap-up session hosted by the Akron Area PRSA Young Pro’s group for students will help put the day in perspective by helping students apply what they have learned during the conference to their school work and internships.  View the entire schedule here.

Benefits for attending the conference include:

• Learning about the latest trends in social visualization.
• Networking with professionals from around the Northeast Ohio area.
• Gaining hands-on experience for students from the student-only development sessions.

To register for the YouToo Social Media Conference, visit www.youtoosm.com. Registration closes at noon on Thursday, April 18. Also, find YouToo on Facebook and Twitter.

The Akron Area Chapter of Public Relations Society of America is part of the world’s largest organization for public relations professionals helping to advance the profession and the professional. Its nearly 115 local members represent business and industry, counseling firms, independent practitioners, military, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations. www.akronprsa.org

The Public Relations Student Society of America is a national public relations organization that provides professional development opportunities for students. PRSSA aims to develop highly qualified future public relations professionals. The organization has more than 10,000 members at hundreds of universities across the country. PRSSA Kent is an active student organization on the Kent State Campus. http://prssakentstate.wordpress.com