Local media professionals answer student questions for Media Day. Photo by Cara Anderson

The Mass Communication program hosted Media Day on Feb. 21 at Strong Hall. The event was designed to allow students and local businesses to network, as well as to provide valuable information. The event consisted of three sections: a networking fair, a Q&A session and a lunch.

“Media Day is an opportunity for the alumni and friends of the University to come to campus and network,” said Dr. Bruce Finklea, assistant professor of mass communication, adding that it is a great way for students to see “cool jobs you can get with a Mass Comm Degree.”

After the networking fair concluded there was a Q&A session, which was broadcast live and will be on the Mass Communications Youtube Channel. The session was designed to allow professionals in the field to shed light on their experiences. Each session had valuable information.

The companies, and alumni, in attendance helped to show the diversity of jobs within the mass communications field.

Kyle Jones, Brand Content Manager for Books-A-Million and other local companies, said he attended Media Day to give back to the college that gave him his start and to showcase that hard work, a good work ethic and being a generally friendly and likeable person can get you far in life.

Another attendee, Jacob Bobst, the Floor Director from ABC 33/40 described his job simply as “the physical part of TV.” Bobst keeps everything on the studio floor running smoothly.

Bobst says he came to Media Day for a similar reason to Jones; both were made aware of the event by Dr. Finklea and wanted to come to UM so they could give back to their alma-mater.

“Don’t be afraid to do learn and do everything,” Bobst said, emphasizing a point echoed by many in attendance regarding how important it is to diversify your skillset in the field of mass communication.

Media Day allowed UM students to connect with alums and gain valuable information that will help them advance their careers.