Learning to lead
Posted on December 1, 2017 at 12:00 PM
Leadership skills are indisputably valuable to future employers and cultivating leadership skills is key to the mission of Chico State's Department of Journalism & Public Relations.
Leadership opportunities that allow students to practice their professional skills are built into the PR and News options, with students earning credit participating in student-run organizations like Tehama Group Communications, The Orion and KCSC.
Student leaders at each of these organizations gain staff management and production experience - even as they balance schoolwork, work-work and social lives. Here’s a snapshot of three of those leaders.
Cassandra Porter, general manager, Tehama Group Communications
Trying to find Cassandra Porter? Make sure to check Tehama Hall 310, otherwise known as the TGC office. It’s a safe bet she is there–editing, planning and helping agency staff with their client teams.
Porter, a PR option major and recreation administration minor, began at Chico State as a freshman and is currently serving her third semester in the student-managed, full-service public relations agency.
She started as an assistant account executive, worked her way to an account executive position and now leads the agency in consultation with faculty adviser Janell Bauer.
“Through TGC you get so much valuable experience that has helped me with my resume, and even with interviews,” Porter said.
“Having those interactions outside of the classroom has been really beneficial.”
As her responsibility level grew, so did her confidence level.
“It’s so special to be able to work so closely with faculty in the department,” Porter said.
PR option students are required to complete an on-site internship in order to graduate, but the intensive pace of the agency isn’t for everyone.
Students must apply and go through an interview process to be selected to participate in TGC.
The hands-on experience also helps students feel more connected to their coursework as they finish the major and move toward graduation, Porter said.
Porter has to plan her day by the hour because of her busy schedule between TGC, work and school. However, she always tries to make time for herself to stay centered.
With her December 2017 graduation fast approaching, Porter hopes to get a PR job in the Bay Area or Southern California.
Elizabeth Castillo, editor-in-chief,The Orion
Elizabeth Castillo sees the world through red-framed lenses and reads everything in AP style.
Castillo can be found most days in the basement of Plumas Hall, which is home to the award-winning student-run news organization.
Castillo, a news-option major and photo studies minor, transferred to Chico State from Bakersfield College and leads The Orion in consultation with faculty adviser Mark Plenke.
Castillo has always considered herself more “anti-authority,” so taking on the top editorial role in her third semester on The Orion has allowed her to shape her own leadership style.
“I try to meet different staff members where they are at,” Castillo said. “Every person is different and every person comes from a different background, so I try to find their strengths.”
Castillo manages a weekly print edition and daily digital news site for The Orion and juggles staffing and crises of both, as well as working a part time job at Woodstock’s Pizza.
“Customer service has made me become a better journalist because it helps me understand people better and how to make people more comfortable,” said Castillo.
Soon-to-be alum Castillo will be spending spring 2018 working for POLITICO in Arlington, Va. This internship follows her participation last summer in the Politico Journalism Institute. She was one of 12 college students nationwide – and the only California student – to be competitively selected for the program.
Castillo hopes to work as a reporter at a similar forward-thinking publication after her December 2017 graduation.
Nicole Coffield, general manager, KCSC
Nicole Coffield is one of the “kids in the basement” of the Bell Memorial Union at Chico State.
This is where student-owned and operated KCSC lives.
Coffield is currently the general manager at the internet radio station and a marketing and publicity intern at Uncle Dad's Art Collective in Chico.
She is interested in all things art and music. She is a PR option major with a Media Arts, Design and Technology minor and transferred to Chico State after completing coursework at Shasta and Butte Colleges.
She discovered KCSC when she visited campus for Choose Chico Day.
The people working the booth were “warm and welcoming” and she applied as soon as she started at Chico State.
Coffield has grown within KCSC having worked numerous positions from the bottom up over the course of five semesters.
She started off as a library director, then went on to be programming director and is now the general manager.
Being a PR major in an organization that is mainly full of music industry majors, Coffield helps bring a different perspective to KCSC.
“With my PR background I can help market KCSC and help form relationships with other clubs and organizations on campus,” Coffield said.
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By Raechel Jackson