NCA Explores Career Options Through Field Trips
PDF Lauren Barnes, Asst. News Editor
Lewis University’s National Communication Association connects communication majors with each other and with various opportunities in communication industries.
One of the ways NCA accomplishes this goal is by facilitating field trips. Some of the trips that have taken place include McCormick Place, the Rialto Square Theatre and NBC Studios in Chicago.
“We’ve had nothing but a blast on each field trip, and they really opened our eyes to what we can do with our major,” said junior public relations major Ross Reed.
The most recent field trip took students to U.S. Cellular Field Oct. 24. This specific field trip focused on the marketing, communications and promotions for the White Sox, and the students got to tour the facility.
“We have another great opportunity to observe the taping of a television program and learn more about careers in broadcasting, entertainment and even law,” said senior communications major Shannon Kozak.
On Nov. 1, NCA students will be in the audience for the taping of the “Judge Mathis Show.”
“Honey, bring on the saucy-saucy,” said Reed, who is a huge fan of the show. “I’m hoping for a lot of yelling and baby-mama drama.”
When the taping concludes, they will get to meet with some of the production staff members to ask questions about the show.
“I actually rarely watch the ‘Judge Mathis Show,’ but I’m really excited to see how it’s taped and how much of it is staged,” said junior public relations major Alyssa Cicero. “I really wanted to go into broadcast journalism for a while, so this will be a great way to get a behind the scenes look of the taping of a TV show.”
NCA adviser Lisa O’Toole pointed out that students studying radio/TV production and broadcast journalism have WLRA, LUTN and WFLY for social and professional outlets, and print and online journalism students have The Flyer. NCA was created to fill that need for the rest of the students in the communications program.
“Another great thing about NCA is that it gives us real confidence in our field that we can do anything,” said Reed. “People ask us, ‘What can you do with a communications degree?’ and we respond, ‘What can’t you do with a communications degree?’”
NCA members must be full-time or part-time undergraduate or graduate students who are enrolled in communication courses or have declared a communication program as their major or minor, and they must commit to participate in the organization’s activities.
Photo courtesy of facebook.com/LewisUniversityNCASC.
About the Author
Lauren Barnes is the Assistant News Editor for the Flyer. She is a fourth year student majoring in Multimedia Journalism and Radio/TV Broadcasting with a minor in Public Relations. Barnes hopes to break into the entertainment industry writing about celebrity news.
