High School Media Career Day - East

In late September, more than 150 high school students, University of Montana professors, alumni and media partners gathered at the Billings Public Library to talk about career opportunities in the ever-changing media landscape.

The first annual High School Media Career Day is a follow-up to the School of Journalism's popular High School Journalism Day, which is held every spring on the UM Campus. The events aim to connect high school students interested in media and journalism with UM professors, with professionals working in the business and with each other, all in an effort to support and inspire student journalism and media, as well as media literacy, across the state. 

Students in Billings this year heard from professors in the School of Journalism and the School of Media Arts about what life looks like as a reporter, a writer, a photographer, a filmmaker, a video game designer, a podcaster, a radio broadcaster, a TV producer, a public relations specialist -- you name the media job, students heard about it. They also got a chance to do some journalism and make some media, taking workshops in podcasting, game design, social media and film. 

The group also met with and went on field trips with alumni from area media organizations like KTVQ, Yelllowstone Public Radio, the Northern News Network, the Billings Gazette, Yellowstone County News and Rebel River Creative. And, they got to hear UM President Seth Bodnar talk about his career path and the value of higher education and they got to pepper him with questions, like all good student journalists do.  

Students came from schools like Cody High School in Wyoming, Rapelje High in Montana, Billings Senior and West, Shepherd High, Lodge Grass High, Powell High School in Wyoming, Park High in Livingston, Huntley Project High, Lockwood High, Laurel High and Sweet Grass County High.

View our snapshots from the day on Flickr

If you or your school is interested in attending either High School Journalism Day in Missoula this spring or Media Career Day next fall in Billings, be in touch: journalism@mso.umt.edu