Shadowing program thrives in its third semester
By Juliana Vasquez
The journalism-shadowing program continued its success in its second year as a networking opportunity between students and professionals.
The Press Cats Shadows Program initiated by the Journalism Student Advisory Council in the spring 2008 semester entered its third semester with a launch meeting that featured Margaret Regan, a freelance arts reporter for the Tucson Weekly.
More than 20 students attended the meeting on Feb. 24 in the School of Journalism’s student reading room. The meeting was presided over by the council’s co-vice president Samantha M. Sais and touched on a wide swath of topics including the state of journalism today and its effects on freelancers like Regan.
"It was a great opportunity for the beginning journalism students to get to hear from a real media professional," Hank Stephenson said.
Stephenson, a journalism junior, was one of the first students accepted into the Press Cats Shadows Program when it started in spring 2008.
The spring semester’s program will feature seven professionals who have agreed to take on a student to shadow them for a time determined by both the Press Cats professional and the shadowing student.
"I became involved in the Press Cats program because it provides students a great opportunity to learn, and experience first-hand how broadcast news is produced," said Paul Birmingham, a talk show host for News Talk Radio KNST 790. "Students can observe, ask questions, learn new skills, and network with people who are in the business of delivering the news."
This spring semester’s Press Cats Program will mark the second semester that Birmingham has participated in the program. Last semester, Birmingham attended the launch meeting with Lupita Murillo and led a two-hour conversation with students interested in the program.
"Any student who is seriously considering a career in journalism owes it to themselves to get involved in the Press Cats program. Today," Birmingham added.
Aside from Regan and Birmingham, this year’s Press Cats professionals include Dan Marries and Teresa Jun from KOLD News 13, Ryan Finley from the Arizona Daily Star, Jimmy Boegle from the Tucson Weekly, and Lupita Murillo from KVOA News 4.
Students can find copies of the application online, at the front office of the School of Journalism, or by the drop boxes by the elevators. Applications are due by 4 p.m. March 6 Accepted students will be notified by the following week.
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