Jessica Birthisel | April 3, 2011
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| Photo by Jessica Birthisel |
| Megan Samuels makes notes as Sally Abbey, left, offers critiques of Samuels work. The Experts Workshop offered students one-on-one sessions with pros. |
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This spring’s alumni experts included Cheryl Jackson, BA’83, MA’04, a reporter for CNN in Chicago, and Sally Abbey, MA’97, executive managing editor of Seventeen magazine in New York. Both women said they enjoyed the chance to give back to their alma mater.
The workshops offer students about 20 minutes of one-on-one feedback on their work and suggestions about improvements. Experts often offer some career advice, too, something they say they appreciated when they were students.
Abbey said her encounters with professionals during her formative years as a journalist directly shaped her career.
“Personally, I always think it’s hugely important to give back,” said Abbey, who worked for O magazine before taking on the Seventeen position. “I was in their position once, too. I was so thrilled to have contact with professionals. I took their advice very seriously, and it helped get me to where I am today.”
As a School of Journalism adjunct instructor and mother of two IU alumni, Jackson already has close ties.
“My heart is at IU,” said Jackson, both a former Hoosier and a mother to IU alumni. “I love the journalism school and feel like it prepared me for the working world.”
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| Photo by Jessica Birthisel |
| Alumna Cheryl Jackson of CNN in Chicago reviewed students' broadcast clips before the sessions. She said this experience helps students "raise their game." |
“That interaction with a professional is a chance to raise their game,” she said.
Students signed up for sessions and submitted their work to either Abbey or Jackson in advance. Jackson viewed broadcast clips, making suggestions to share with students in person. Abbey said she was impressed with the student work she reviewed before the workshop.
“This work is a testament to the students, and of course, to the school,” said Abbey.
Senior Kevin Wang, Jackson’s first appointment of the day, said afterward he was excited for the opportunity to learn from a working professional.
“It’s important to know how far I am from the professional level I want to reach,” said Wang. “It was only 20 minutes, but those were very important moments for me. She gave me sincere critiques of my work and how it can be better.”
Like Wang, senior Stephanie Kuschel, the first person to visit with Abbey, said she also valued professional feedback.
“I’m about to graduate and wanted an outside perspective on my work,” said Kuschel. “She gave me great feedback. She’s very intuitive.”
Kuschel also went on to meet with Jackson later in the day.
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies Michael Evans launched the expert workshops two years ago in an attempt to expose students to professionals who can give them personalized critiques to complement the guest speakers who come to classes or to deliver lectures. Because Bloomington doesn’t have the same access to news outlets as metro schools, Evans wanted to bring the experts to the students.
“The people we’ve invited have been extraordinary,” said Evans. “They come here determined to give a lot of time to the students.”
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| Photo by Jessica Birthisel |
| Stephanie Kuschel listens as Jackson offers tips. Pros often offer career advice as well as critiques. |
“Students are aware that the professionals’ perspectives are fresh,” said Evans.
The experts have given the IU students favorable ratings, too.
“They always come away with a positive impression of the students,” he said, praising the participating students for their professionalism during the workshops.
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