An Inside Look

February 25, 2010 • Lindsey Laski, Managing Editor  
Filed under Classes, Journalism, News

The Thundermedia group took a break from all of the hard work they do producing the news everyday for Desert Vista and went downtown to experience the life of a real journalist on February 2, 2010. The group consisted of members from TV productions, journalism, and yearbook classes who all came together as one to learn the basics of what it takes to make it in the real world of journalism. 

   Their first stop was the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism from Arizona State University. They got the chance to tour the campus and check out everything. The commons room located in the center of the building was an amazing area. A two story screen in the front of the room airs the latest newscasts around the country, along with little TV’s so they can keep up on the news in Arizona, too. 

   Dave Cornelius conducted the tour through the downtown campus, explaining that the innovations at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism make it the place to be if you are looking for a career in journalism.  

      “We have won more awards in the last year than probably all of the other schools in the nation,” according to Cornelius.

    ASU has some of the top professors from around the country teaching the students what they need in order to become a successful journalist. 

    “You are being taught by people here who are the real deal. All of the deans here teach, so that is a cool thing,” said Cornelius. 

   This is most likely due to the newscasts that they have had the chance to produce for the past few years. Their newscast is called Cronkite News Watch. It is played on different stations around the state and the students come together and put it on three times a week. 

   The Thundermedia group got to view the actual newsroom and see how it is done in the real world. Then, after the college tour, they were able to walk right down the street and tour the channel 12 news station. Scott Light, the morning news anchor for channel 12 gave them the low down on being a journalist. He encouraged students to take advantage of the fact that what high school students are learning and using in the Thundermedia program is in some cases, more than what professional operations are currently have access to.

    “It was so cool to be able to meet a real life anchor and sit in the chair that he sits in everyday to do his job. It was really inspiring,” said Senior Megan Johnson. 

    This inspiring experience gave the media students a chance to live the life of a real journalist for once, hoping to come back to DV with the knowledge and inspiration to put on their shows and publications, just like the pros. 

    For more pictures from the Thundermedia Field trip, take a look at the slideshow available on our website.

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