Society of Professional Journalists Chapter George Mason University

GMU's SPJ chapter and Mason Cable Network paired up for a master class on November 1, 2016. The chapter learned some valuable lessons from how to actually set up and operate a camera/microphone for broadcasting purposes as well as how to edit during post production. The members of SPJ were able to participate in a master class where they were able to use the skills they just learned and use them to broadcast mock stories that were recorded in front of a camera.  The chapter had a lot of fun working with the students of Mason Cable Network and they also had a lot of fun making up news stories to "broadcast." Mason Cable Network students alongside SPJ students

On October 4th, 2016 Washington Post Reporter T. Rees Shapiro spoke to GMU's Society of Professional Journalists. T. Rees Shapiro attended Virginia Tech and talked to students about how he worked on a piece involving the tragedy of the Virginia Tech shooting. Shapiro talked to the student journalists about the importance of being able to blend in to your surroundings in order to get stories. For example, Shapiro mentioned how if he were to do a story on a college campus, he would walk around with his backpack in order to blend in more with the students and thus increasing his chances of running into or hearing more details about a story. Overall, the students learned a great deal about perseverance and never giving up on working toward the main goal.

On Tuesday, September 27, 2016 freelance writer and entertainment professional Byron Edwards came to speak to GMU's Society of Professional Journalists. Edwards, who graduated from GMU, has worked in the entertainment industry for almost 10 years now. He has worked for companies such as BET, Roc Nation, Bossip, Aol., and Edelman. Edwards talked to the student journalists on what it's like being in the entertainment industry and what it takes to get there. He gave lots of insightful information on the classes he took and the routes he took to get to where he is in his career. He also discussed going from a career in public relations to one in freelance writing and how you should be open and flexible. Byron Edwards produced a huge turnout for SPJ and is always welcome to come back!