Professional Activities on Campus

Student Activities Related to Communication/Journalism

Communication/Journalism majors are encouraged to get involved in campus organizations as a way to build their resumes and portfolios. Our alumni and prospective employers tell us that campus involvement is an important part of securing one's first job. Each of these activities is open to students from their first days on campus. No prior experience is needed and all are welcome to participate in these student organizations.

The Cardinal Courier

The bi-weekly Cardinal Courier was founded in 2002 by a group of students who wanted to revamp the former campus newspaper. Starting off with about ten students, the newspaper now has over 50 staff members with an additional ten on the editorial staff. Students brainstorm and write stories, edit, take photos, lay out, sell advertising, and market the newspaper. The Cardinal Courier has been recognized for its excellence with several awards by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the New York Press Association. Students may receive academic credit for the Courier for two semesters through the Communication/Journalism Department. However, most students are involved with the Courier throughout their collegiate career. During class, students are engaged in conversation with professionals from the field, participate in brainstorming sessions, and work in groups to find solutions and ways to improve the newspaper.

Cardinal Television

Cardinal Television promotes student involvement in the field of broadcast media; it provides students with the opportunity to practice acquired production skills as well as other on and off air roles and responsibilities. CTV also provides students with real world experience and skills that can be used in seeking an internship, portfolio building, and employment.

Cardinal Television broadcasts 24/7 during the academic year. Programming can be viewed on campus cable channel 12 and via CTV online.

Lambda Pi Eta and the Presentation Assistance Service (PAS)

Lambda Pi Eta (LPH in Greek letters) is a national communication honor society associated with the National Communication Association.

Membership is granted to students who have both demonstrated leadership abilities and achieved excellence in their coursework. Our campus chapter holds many communication-related events over the course of the school year.

One of these is the Presentation Assistance Service, a peer-to-peer public speaking/presentation tutoring center. PAS consults with fellow students in need of guidance with their speeches and presentations, focusing on teaching skill sets to students which they can take with them throughout their personal and professional life. The purpose is to make Fisher students understand how to make a presentation interesting and relatable through good delivery. Students (and faculty!) can receive feedback in many areas of presentation skills, including outlining, introductions and conclusions, organization, and nerve-reduction. LPH students serving as tutors will be able to earn credit for the 2010-2011 school year.

PRIMA Connections

Students interested in gaining hands-on experience with Rochester area non-profit and small business clients should consider applying for a job with PRIMA Connections, Fisher's very own student-run firm. With PRIMA, all Fisher students can take a freelance job in public relations, special event planning, advertising, marketing or digital media. Students also are hired for the firm's executive management team each December.

PRSSA

The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) provides Fisher students who are interested in public relations the opportunity to learn more about the profession through networking and professional development. As PRSSA members, students have access to regional and international conferences where they can learn about the latest innovations in the field and begin building their network of contacts leading to careers in public relations or related fields.

In 2008, Fisher PRSSA leaders kicked off "Rochester Professional Connections," an annual networking event where local professionals share best practices with students.

C/J majors may also get involved in the Student Government Association (SGA), and the Student Activities Board (SAB), as well as any of the other over 70 clubs and organizations on campus.