Grads Getting Great Jobs -- in Journalism and Beyond
Employers say Columbia's hands-on training and the variety of internships available in this news-rich city combine to produce graduates ready to be productive employees. May 2012 journalism grads Luke Wilusz and Sam Charles are working for the Chicago Sun-Times, while Ali Balgooyen and Fallon Glick are reporters for WLIO-TV in Lima, Ohio, Shereen Mohammad is on-air at KCAU-TV in Sioux City, Iowa, and David Anthony is at The Onion's A/V Club. Meanwhile, alums continue moving into impressive positions: Steven Yaccino is at The New York Times, Lauren Nisavic is at Comcast SportsNet and High School Cube, Lisa Chavarria is reporting for WFLD-Channel 32 Chicago and Diane Pathieu is at ABC7 in Chicago.
Unique Courses Broaden Student Experience
During J-term 2013, students explored Ireland, the "Museum Beat," social media for sports and smartphone photojournalism. In Spring semester, Jan. 28-May 15, students have opportunities to dig deeper into the entertainment beat by studying at Semester in LA: Journalism, based at Raleigh Studios in Los Angeles. In Chicago, students will learn the latest journalistic applications in Data Visualization, taught by an expert from tribune.com and more about the business, sports, environmental, health, music and crime beats in advanced electives. In summer, students have an opportunity to study fashion journalism — in Italy. Our core provides the foundation for students to make the most of these unique courses. The combination produces resumes and experiences that are attractive to internship providers and news directors, editors and supervisors looking for qualified entry-level journalists.
Adjuncts Link to Working World
Columbia's award-winning adjunct faculty in the journalism department provide vital connections between the classroom and newsroom. Their highly regarded work, including this award-winning Chicago Tribune series co-authored by Pulitzer Prize-winning instructor Sam Roe, helps teach students the value of solid, ethical reporting -- and persistence.
Students, Alums Honored
Columbia students, faculty and alumni have been busy picking up journalism awards and nominations for their excellent work.
The Columbia Chronicle has been named the top non-daily college newspaper in the United States by the Society of Professional Journalists. Several students and alums have won prestigious Peter Lisagor awards, given by the Chicago Headline Club, Chicago's chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. And Sharon Bloyd-Peshkin, associate professor of Journalism, was honored with the 2013 college-wide Excellence in Teaching award.
Fernando Diaz, a 2004 Columbia journalism grad who is managing editor of Hoy, has won a 2013 Studs Terkel Media Award, which honors journalists whose work reflects Terkel's "people-centered'' journalistic approach. Past winners of this honor have included Columbia full-time journalism faculty members Curtis Lawrence and Teresa Puente, as well as adjuncts Natalie Moore, Martha Irvine and Steve Franklin.
Meanwhile, two Columbia College Chicago broadcast journalism students won Crystal Pillar Awards in recent months from the organization that awards Emmys, and others were nominated.
Students Earn Hefty Scholarships
The journalism department awarded $77,000 in Fischetti scholarships this year to students within the department. Journalism students were awarded thousands more dollars in scholarships for particular achievements and qualities.
Adjunct to Head Global News Design Group
Jonathon Berlin, graphics editor at the Chicago Tribune and an adjunct faculty member of Columbia's Journalism Department, where he teaches Visual Journalism, has been elected president of the global organization Society for News Design.
Students Land Prestigious, Paid Internships
Two Columbia journalism students were selected for prestigious, nationally competitive paid internships in New York City -- including one at O, The Oprah Magazine.
Chronicle Once Again Named Among Top College Newspapers in State
For the fourth year in a row, The Columbia Chronicle was named the state’s top student newspaper among non-daily college papers with a circulation above 4,000 at this year's Illinois College Press Association convention.
News Site Featuring Columbia Students' Work Garners Grant
The AustinTalks online news outlet, founded by a Columbia journalism faculty member and featuring reporting by many Columbia journalism students and alumni, has been awarded a $15,000 grant from The Chicago Community Trust. AustinTalks has given students a chance to do multimedia reporting -- and gain published work -- about a neighborhood rich with news but often lacking in resources.
Investigative Reporting Nets National Recognition for Columbia Students
Students' scrutiny of taxpayer-funded scholarships shines spotlight on secretive program, which Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn said he wants to end.
International Opportunities Abound for Students, Faculty
Students have the opportunity to roam the globe as part of Columbia's travel-writing and other journalism courses.
Columbia Journalism Faculty Awarded Grants to Develop New Media Projects
Columbia College Chicago has received a $45,000 grant from The Chicago Community Trust to develop a web site for and by the residents of the Westside Chicago neighborhood of Austin...
Two Broadcast Journalism Students Pick Up Prestigious Media Scholarships
Broadcast Journalism students, Junior Wendy Tricia Osborne and Senior Rosanna LaPorta, have been awarded significant scholarships...
Journalism Prof's 'Eye-Opening' Web Course Helps Students Launch Own Sites
An innovative course taught by Journalism Professor Dan Sinker is designed to teach students skills needed to compete in 21st century entrepreneurial journalism...
