Jay Hicks, Director of New Media at KWTX-TV, with members of NABJ
In
order to succeed, it is important to do “more of you and less of others,” said
a new media specialist Thursday during a presentation for the National
Association of Black Journalists at Baylor University.
Jay Hicks,
the Director of New Media at KWTX-TV, said video games, e-mail and social media
distract many of today’s students.
“Shut
down your laptop, ignore Facebook and work on the things that matter like your
resume,” he said.
Hicks
develops and executes content on multiple-platforms including KWTX.com and the
station’s mobile Web site. One thing that has become clear in the last few
years, is everyone is a reporter, he said. People tell their own stories.
However,
even with the popularity of new media, students must have traditional
journalism skills. Accuracy,
credibility, writing and storytelling are all very important in today’s
journalism industry, Hicks said.
“No
matter what you want to do in the journalism industry, you must be able to
communicate. Facebook and Twitter are platforms, but they change daily,” he
said.
Hicks
emphasized the importance of staying ahead of the curve. To compete in today’s
competitive job market, journalism students must separate themselves from the
crowd, he said. Journalism graduates must be able to write, network and most of
all tell stories.
“Today’s
students have their own tools to be content producers and creators,” he said.
"However, in order to be in the game, students must hone their
skills."
Hicks,
a Baylor business graduate, said the most important skill journalists must have
is storytelling via all platforms including Twitter, Facebook and Web design.
Most importantly, students must blog on a regular basis.
He
discussed two types of blogs: a passion, or “me,” blog to highlight their
favorite pastime and a professional blog to demonstrate their skills and
abilities. Hicks’ “passion blog” focuses on track and field. It has
gained him notoriety and respect in the social media industry.
“When
I started the blog, I wasn’t thinking I would be quoted in other media outlets
or labeled an expert. It happened on its own,” he said.
He
also encourages applicants to have a game plan in place using the skills
they have acquired in PR. However, students must be strategic to compete, he
added.
“We
may get 200 to 400 applicants,” he said. “But if we get a unique resume or a
recommendation from someone we know, you may get your foot in door.”
The
game plan must include a Facebook page that presents them in a positive
light.
“Don’t
put anything on there that that you wouldn’t want your grandmother to see,” he
joked, encouraging students to be proactive in presenting a professional image
on the social media outlet.
The
most competitive students will be able to manipulate data. For instance, they
should know how to edit photos in Photoshop, how to edit video footage and be
familiar with all aspects of search engine optimization (SEO). SEO is an
important skill for PR practitioners because they must be able to add affective
titles to their blogs and websites to help them show up in search engines, he
said.
Finally,
Hicks suggests that students should find their passion and jump in.
“The
industry will change,” he said. “However, you get your best experience by
jumping in and learning things yourself.”
Other
tips included:
Participate
in Twitter parties or online chats. For instance, Wjchat is a weekly online
chat emphasizing news-related issues. People throw out questions for students
and professionals to answer.
Create
a Twitter list and a RSS feed of key players in the media industry. Google
people with similar skills and follow them on Twitter. Try to set up an
informal interview. Take a Flip camera, and record it and put it on YouTube.
Have
both a creative and a traditional resume. A compelling resume is attractive,
intriguing and interactive. It includes photos, QR codes and unique designs. An
enhanced resume can use a unique approach such as a slide show or a magazine
design layout.
