By Haley Bianco, Arts and Entertainment Editor

The 2013 PASSHE Collegiate Media Summit was hosted by Indiana University of Pa. on Oct. 11 through Oct. 13. Students from all 14 state institutions had the opportunity to collaborate with professionals in the industries of journalism, photography, media and communications.

Eight were in attendance on behalf of KU, including assistant director of KU university relations/communication, David Johnson, his interns Dante Moyer and Jason Cline, KUR Executive Board officers Alicia Carson, Dillon Snyder, Shawn Thomas, Haley Bianco, and Emily Leayman on behalf of The Keystone Newspaper.
IUP President, Michael Driscoll, welcomed students with an inspiring speech.

“If you do more than you think you can you’ll find out that you can actually do it,” said Driscoll.

The Keynote Speaker, Jennifer Miele, also welcomed students to the media summit. She shared her story as she transitioned from a college student, to a business reporter for WDBJ in Roanoke, Va., to WTAJ Altoona as a business/general assignment reporter, to Channel 4 in Pittsburg, through her victory over cancer and her decision to become the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Excela Health. Through her story, students learned about different jobs in the field and the progression from college student to a working professional.

Students attended conferences and a networking dinner to meet with professionals in the Pittsburg area as well as students enrolled in colleges such as IUP, Edinboro, Lock Haven and Slippery Rock. Conference panels focused on creating a professional image, tips for small businesses, direction for careers in magazines, newspapers, public relations, health communications, photo-journalism, television, radio, video gaming and video production.

The media summit opened doors for potential internship sites and future career opportunities.

“It gives students an experience outside of the classroom that is invaluable,” said Johnson. “As students begin to look for jobs, this will help to impress employers because it shows that they put in the extra time by spending their weekend at a conference and gaining connections.”