In a notable partnership, The Ohio State University hosted TEGNA Media, a leading broadcaster in the United States. This visit underscored TEGNA Media's commitment to talent development and influencing the future of journalism. Mike Redding and Jonathan Adkins, news directors from TEGNA Media, engaged with Ohio State students, showcasing the company's dedication to the next generation of journalists.

Representatives from News Center Maine and WKYC Cleveland, part of the TEGNA Media team, participated in discussions with three classes. These interactions provided insights into creating high-quality news stories and the use of narrative structures in journalism.

A significant aspect of their visit involved conducting over 30 interviews with students. These sessions allowed students to interact directly with industry experts, covering topics from the changing news landscape to the skills required for various journalism roles. TEGNA Media's policy of accepting interns from any academic year and hiring recent graduates was a key focus, highlighting their role in career development for aspiring journalists.

David Fisher, Television Studio and Lab Manager at Ohio State, highlighted the value of these interactions: "Getting two minutes with a News Director was considered lucky, as they were always busy. The scheduling of 20-minute, one-on-one interviews offered a fantastic opportunity."

Evan, a junior majoring in Journalism, shared his excitement about the learning experience, particularly the insights into TEGNA Media's operations and the wide range of opportunities available to students.

The collaboration served as a valuable educational experience, offering insights into the journalism industry and facilitating TEGNA Media's talent identification for future roles. This partnership exemplifies the commitment of both institutions to bridge the gap between academia and the professional world, ensuring students are well-prepared for the dynamic field of broadcast journalism.

Aaron Klein from the Center for Career Success noted, "TEGNA's commitment to engaging and recruiting our students is highly valued. As students define their career objectives, understanding the professional landscape and necessary skills from experienced journalists is invaluable."

This initiative between Ohio State and TEGNA Media not only enriched the educational journey of journalism students but also reinforced the importance of industry-academia collaborations in preparing students for successful careers.

-Kenna McQuillan