University Press hosts UPLift: Career Portraits in Modern Media and Communications
Lamar University's newspaper, University Press, will host “UPLift: Career Portraits in Modern Media and Communications,” Wednesday, Oct. 26, from noon-2 p.m., on the Eighth Floor of the John and Mary Gray Library. The event is co-sponsored by the College of Fine Arts and Communication and the Department of Communication.
The event, which is the first in a planned annual series, is open to all students, faculty, staff and the general public. The series will feature UP alumni discussing professional career topics to enhance students’ academic and professional goals.
“The idea of the series is to highlight how UP alumni have used the skills they learned at the paper,” Andy Coughlan, director of student publications, said. “Our staffers go on to jobs in all fields, some far-flung from journalism, but the basic skills for communication have served them well. We hope students will get to see that the same intellectual curiosity that makes one a good journalist can be applied to any field.”
This year’s speaker is Port Neches native Julie Garcia, Communication ’10, who is a reporter for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. Garcia’s main topic of discussion will cover branding on social media for media professionals, and the challenges of professional credibility and personal identity.
“We’re excited and proud to have Julie come for what we plan as an annual event,” Stephan Malick, assistant director of student publications and the event coordinator, said. “She is great example of a journeyman journalist who is out in the field working every day. She has great insights and experiences with day-to-day operations, but also the soft-skills that are required in any profession.”
At approximately 2 p.m., the event will move to room 201 in the Carl Parker Building for a short rededication ceremony of the Howard A. Perkins Newsroom and a tour of the University Press’s new offices.
From 6-8 p.m., Malick and alumnus Jacqueline Hays will host a University Press alumni mixer and scholarship fundraiser at The Art Studio, Inc., located at 720 Franklin in downtown Beaumont. The event will include local media and representatives from the Southeast Texas Press Club, offering students the opportunity to socialize with professionals in a social setting.
For more information call 409-880-8102 or visit the UPLift Facebook event page.
