Mass Comm. students prepare for Media Day 2015

The Mass Communications department at the University of West Georgia is hosting the 34th annual Media Day event on Wednesday, March 4 in the Campus Center Ballroom. In preparation for the event, several students gathered in the Campus Center Ballroom 108.3 on Tuesday, Feb. 17, where they participated in a workshop that would educate them about the importance of what to expect at the event.

Fawn Hudson, UWG alumna and Career Development Specialist from UWG Career Services introduced the workshop and explained to the students just how important it is to dress for success when they are attending the upcoming event.

“It takes 15 seconds to make a good impression, but it could take a lifetime to fix an impression if you mess up and make a bad one,” said Hudson. “The way you dress is a nonverbal communication that says a lot about you.”

Special guest speaker, Jacob Hawkins, APR, a UWG alumnus and Media Relations Manager at Georgia Power, led the gathering in a discussion about his experience with Media Day when he attended UWG. Hawkins also explained to the students what type of individual that potential employers are looking to hire.

“I have been in a hiring role since I began working in public relations for about 10 years now,” said Hawkins. “Employers want enthusiasm; they want to know that you are happy to be there whether you have the job or you are interviewing for the job.”

Hawkins graduated from UWG in 2006 with a Bachelor’s in Mass Communications and a minor in Marketing. While he attended UWG, he interned at several notable companies including: Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, CNN and the Georgia Aquarium. Hawkins shared his experiences and the information that he obtained during his time within these internships.

“When you are defining your personal brand you must conduct a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis on yourself, and ask yourself a series of questions. You must ask yourself, ‘Where have I been? Where do I want to go? How will I get there? Are my goals realistic?’” he said. “Personal branding is a good way for people to understand and perceive you. Take each opportunity that you get to interact with people.”

Last year, Media Day drew a crowd of mass communications students as well as 70 mass media professionals; many of which were UWG alumni. Media Day gives UWG students the opportunity to participate in networking sessions with the visiting professionals, to establish professional contacts and to get advice in the specific fields in which they are currently studying.

“Media Day was a tremendous and valuable experience for me, and I highly recommend that everyone attend this year especially if they have never attended in the past,” said Hawkins.

Erin

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