Student Media at Washburn University held a Mass Media Speed Networking Event on April 29, from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Coordinated by Lexi Hittle, marketing manager, the event was held in the Washburn B room in the Memorial Union and a number of Mass and Multi Media professionals from varying fields came together.

The professionals at the event were prepared to share their own expertise and experiences while students had the opportunity to pull up portfolios of their work in news writing, photography and marketing skills. 

“Make sure you like to write,” said Lori Hutchinson, executive director of strategic communications and marketing. “Maybe not just like it, but enjoy it, and tell your story through words and images or posts, or because you are trying to get your message out, maybe it’s in just a few words, or with an image. How do you start that story off that’s engaging and makes people want to care? It’s a challenge every day, and it’s like you’re taking words, but you’re putting a puzzle together.”

Hutchinson’s role in Communications and Marketing requires her to plan effectively with her team and campus organizations for which events to cover in online posts and newsletters, and how to make it more engaging for readers to pick up on. This has become more challenging in recent years with attention spans of students lowering, but she is still able to discover enjoyment and long-lasting skills through her job that help make Washburn a better and more successful place due to how informative students and faculty can be. 

A highlight of the speed networking event was that students were able to meet with many professionals in diverse fields all across the wide spectrum of mass media, from reporting investigative stories to planning public events, many options are available for those with different interests. 

Grace Hoge, press secretary, and Keira Beatty, deputy communications director, both work for Governor Laura Kelly. They are responsible for maintaining order and reporting on political updates on her behalf. Hoge is able to travel with Kelly across the state as her traveling staffer as the direct media contact, handling interviews and public reports for the governor. Beatty works with state agencies, helping with press releases, remarks, statements, and social content, making sure it all reflects the governor’s views and priorities. 

“If you don’t exactly know what lane you want to be in, try new things and see what you like, and it might surprise you, and that’s how you’ll really know that you’re at the right place,” Hoge said. 

Beatty works alongside Hoge. The pair are closely connected through their positions, and the hands-on experience that they both share, being near Kelly and being able to help communicate her views and opinions is helpful for bringing a friendly public image to citizens in Kansas.

“My number one advice to students would be to make connections and maintain connections over the years,” Beatty said. “Check in with your professors or your co-workers or people you interned with, because you never know when a connection could come.”

Another media professional in the politics field is Sherman Smith, the editor in chief of the Kansas Reflector, a free non-profit state based news operation in Topeka, which launched in 2020, during the pandemic. Specifically, they cover state government and politics, such as issues concerning social justice, civil rights, and court cases. 

“For me, this position is a dream come true,” Smith said. “To be able to lead a news organization that serves the state of Kansas, I think is in terms of how it’s benefited me. I still write stories as well. I’ve been a reporter and an editor in past positions, and I think what it means is I try to be the kind of editor that I wanted as a reporter, and I try to be the kind of reporter I would want as an editor. And I think having both those experiences is really helpful.” 

Students across different majors with interests for mass media got the opportunity to speak to many professionals across the craft and hopefully spark connections for future careers. 

“It was certainly interesting,” said Kel Huebner, junior journalism major. “I was quite surprised that some of the governor’s staff members were there.”

Providing career and work-related opportunities to students on campus is helpful for them to be able to find connections and professionals that will be able to help them grow to be more successful throughout college. 

“Everyone’s really friendly,” said Khia Haley, freshman art major. “It’s really nice. It’s great because I get to hear their point of view, and also listening to what they have to say.” 

Overall, Student Media’s speed networking event was a success, thanks to all the professionals who were able to come together, and the students that visited. Look out for more information about future events coming from the student organization on our social media page.

Edited by Stuti Khadka and Arohi Rai