CJC Involvement Fair Attracts Students Seeking Community and Professional Development
By Linda England, Public Relations senior
Dozens of students filled the Weimer Hall atrium on Sept. 18 to find their community at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications’ (UFCJC) Student Involvement Fair, held in the fall and spring semesters. With more than 30 student organizations represented, students from all UFCJC majors explored opportunities to build careers and connect beyond the classroom.
The event showcased a diverse array of student organizations that offered everything from networking opportunities to hands-on experience.
Paula Lamus, senior Public Relations major and Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) vice president of programming, emphasized the value of getting involved early. “You get to know so many people that have the same interests as you,” he said. “I’ve had so many different opportunities like internships that I wouldn’t have found if I was just sitting at home and not involved.”
Lamus explained how the PRSSA helps students grow through professional development and networking events, such as hosting industry professionals like a Disney external communications expert scheduled to visit in October. Students also have the chance to attend national conferences like ICON, being held this year in Anaheim, California.
At the fair, students interested in advertising gathered around the table for the Ad Society. Alessandra Paul-Forton, junior Advertising major and vice president of internal relations at the organization, shared how the group focuses on connecting students with professionals working in advertising and marketing.
“It gives you the opportunity to network a lot,” she said. “You get to talk with actual professionals, actual people that are already working in your field.”
For those drawn to media production, ChomPics Productions provides hands-on experience in film and branded content creation. “It’s like hanging out, having fun and making a good product at the end of it,” said Natalja Irizarry, a junior Media Production, Management, and Technology student and feature-film producer at ChomPics.
Meanwhile, Atrium Magazine stood out as a unique opportunity for aspiring journalists. Diego Perdomo, senior Journalism major and design editor at Atrium, highlighted the magazine’s commitment to narrative-driven storytelling, saying the magazine strives to artfully tell the truth while focusing on the stories of underrepresented and marginalized communities.
“We want to create a space for people to learn and develop,” Perdomo said, adding that students don’t need prior experience to join the magazine’s team.
Riley Boock, a freshman Advertising major, rated the importance of getting involved as a 10 out of 10. Researching clubs was a key part of her decision to attend UF, reflecting on her previous experience dual enrolled at a state college with limited extracurricular options. “One of the first things I did when I was applying to schools was research the clubs, and UF just has so many unique opportunities.”
Journalism Master Lecturer Mike Foley praised the fair as an important event for students.
“I think it’s terrific to get involved and get some experience working with other students,” he said. “I like the enthusiasm that everybody has for their work…. They all have a common bond. They’re trying to learn how to communicate, and I think that all these organizations do that.”
The CJC Involvement Fair gave students the opportunity to explore ways to get involved and build connections outside the classroom, leaving attendees with a better idea of how to make the most of their time at college.
Posted: September 24, 2024
Category: Student News
Tagged as: Student Involvement Day, Student Organizations
