Baylor-NABJ members and advisers attend the 2024 NABJ Convention in Chicago

Baylor-NABJ members and advisers who attended the 2024 NABJ Convention in Chicago enjoyed networking, attending various sessions, and covering a former US president.

Baylor University graduate student Raphael Roker, who specializes in international journalism, said the event featured many informative sessions that sharpened his skills and expanded his knowledge of industry trends. Seeing former President Donald Trump was the event highlight for him.

“I would have never imagined being part of history at the NABJ 2024 convention,” he said. “Seeing and hearing the former president in person was surreal."

NABJ-Baylor students and advisers were featured in a photo for a Wall Street Journal article that included Trump during his appearance at the convention. 

“The biggest highlight of the convention was Donald Trump’s discussion with journalists,” said NABJ-Baylor President Cole Gee, a Baylor University senior majoring in journalism. "It was covered much more than we thought it would be after the event."

Students also attended workshops that focused on industry trends.  One session they enjoyed highlighted working in the streaming and digital space and how it differs from traditional TV broadcast news.

“This session was very educational. It emphasized how to make your stories work in a 24/7 format,” said Gierra Cottingham, a recent Baylor alum who attended the event.

Another workshop allowed attendees to join the NABJ wellness task force to advance the conversation on wellness in journalism. NABJ-Baylor co-advisers K.J. Burkley and Mia Moody-Ramirez, Ph.D., a Baylor journalism, public relations, and new media professor and chair, attended this session and believe well-being is fundamental for students entering the workforce.

“This session piqued my interest because wellness is a hot topic right now,” Burkley said. “Wellness is important for anyone looking to succeed in the workplace.”

The convention also boasted the biggest job fair of any organization. Attendees networked with some of the largest companies in the world. Roker said connecting and networking with industry professionals was an advantage for him as an attendee. Gee agreed.

“NABJ has really helped me see a brighter future in my journalism career and even put me in touch with some recruiters for a possible job when I graduate in May,” Gee said. “I don’t know what I would do without them.”

Gee received a NABJ scholarship while at the convention.