The four seniors came to new student orientation armed with advice.

"Don't wait for an invitation or until you have taken certain classes to start writing," said Michael Sanserino, who applied to the IDS the summer before his freshman year and filed his first article the first day of classes.

"Network the heck out of everyone you know," Nina Mehta said, noting how this helped her get internships in London and at the Indianapolis Star.

"Read a lot. Know what's going on in the world," said Drew Kincius, who interned on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric this summer.

"Take advantage of professors. They say they are there for you — and they mean it," Lauren Bristow advised.

In a combination pep talk and counseling session, the four seniors, along with faculty and staff, fielded questions from a group of 80 or so prospective journalism majors assembled for a new student orientation last week in Ernie Pyle Auditorium. Fresh from internships, the four offered insight into not only navigating a college career but also laying a plan for a professional one.

Nina Mehta, for example, urged students to take the initiative, to pitch ideas for stories or even new publications. She's done that herself, parlaying a student design contest into a networking opportunity that led to her two most recent internships.

"You also should know what's going on in the professional world, by keeping up with blogs like (Poynter.org's) Romanesko, so that you can be prepared to work in that world," she said.

Regardless of the area students want to work in, however, they should be skilled in journalism basics. Lauren Bristow, who interned at Weber Shandwick in New York City, cautioned that those interested in public relations can't discount writing, research and editing.

"I knew early on that I didn't to work in print, but I took reporting classes because I knew I would be working in words," she said. "Putting together press releases requires these skills. And, in PR, we're writing those releases to get the attention of reporters. We need to understand how reporters work."

Kincius echoed this requirement to learn to write, and write well, "regardless of your medium. Good writers have their own voices. By writing a lot, you'll figure out what yours is."

Michael Sanserino knows well how reporters work, having many semesters of IDS reporting under his belt, as well as reporting internships such as this summer's at the South Bend Tribune. He said that references set him apart from some other candidates.

"Don't be shy about asking professors or any professionals you know to say good things about you," he advised.

The four fielded questions about their second concentrations or minors, too. Several chose political science, but Kincius cautioned students to choose a minor they enjoy or that grabs their interest.

Professor Lesa Hatley Major, who moderated the panel, told new students to ask about ways to combine their interests, to speak up about classes they would like to take or they would like to be offered. But most of all, she suggested that students take advantage of all that's offered, at the School of Journalism and in their collegiate careers.

"Have an open mind about these experiences," she said. "Don't just think in one direction. It's important for print people to also understand visual elements and for broadcast students to be familiar with print practices. Be well-rounded."

After the presentation, freshmen gathered around the panelists to continue the conversations. Ashley Freije, who asked several questions during the talk, picked up an IDS application and began completing the information. Sarah Hutchens, who worked in journalism during all four years of high school, also plans to apply to the IDS.

"I would miss writing if I didn't," she said. "I'm even more excited about the journalism program now and so glad I made the choice I did. There are so many opportunities here."