Summer Workshop Welcomes Aspiring Journalists

Young writers have the opportunity to learn about the craft and career of journalism during a weeklong workshop sponsored by the Communication Department, August 13–17.

During the second annual Summer Workshop for High School Journalists, Buffalo State faculty and professional journalists will share their expertise with approximately 12 Western New York students entering their junior or senior year of high school.

“We wanted to keep it to 12 or fewer students because we wanted small groups and as much one-on-one time for students as possible,” said Annemarie Franczyk, assistant professor of communication, who is coordinating the workshop.

From 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day in the Donald Savage Theater and Communication Building, students will get hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment and will acquire skills and techniques they can apply at their own school newspapers. They also will publish multimedia reports online.

“The main reason for organizing such a conference is to introduce journalism to a new generation of writers,” Franczyk said. “They get a lot of exposure to professionals.”

She points out to the students that the journalists who lead the sessions are more than just instructors; they are part of a local network they can connect with if they do pursue a journalism career. Additionally, the workshop is an opportunity to showcase Buffalo State’s stellar faculty.

“We would like to show students what we have here, let them become familiar with the campus, and use it as a base of comparison when they start looking for college programs,” she said.

Last summer, the conference drew a mix of students from urban, suburban, public, and private schools, Franczyk said, and she hopes for the same diversity this year.

A few Buffalo State communication students will assist with the workshop and serve as a resource of information for the participants. They earn one credit for their work, but Franczyk noted that the experience transcends college credit. 

“A lot of the students who helped last year were nervous. They didn’t realize how much they had to share, and this experience helped them appreciate what they already know,” she said. “One student told me she would have done it even without the course credit. It’s a nice element for everyone involved.”

The cost of the workshop is $150, which includes all supplies and lunch for the five days. To participate, students must apply by June 29. Space is limited and early registration is recommended.