By Kim Gaity

The president of the Connecticut chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists spoke to students and faculty interested in establishing a national chapter to promote and protect journalistic values here at CCSU.

Southern Connecticut State University journalism professor Cindy Simoneau came to CCSU last Wednesday to inform the SPJ interest group of how they can become a recognized chapter. University of Connecticut, Sacred Hart, Quinnipiac and SCSU are other colleges in Connecticut that have SPJ chapters.

According to Simoneau, journalism students can view the SPJ as a résumé-building tool and an opportunity to make key contacts in the industry.

“Think about your resume and what you have to put onto it,” said Simoneau. “This is one of those great opportunities to get involved with something that will enhance it.  It looks great on your résumé, but it also provides countless networking resources with professionals, and today, it’s all about networking.”

“SPJ is the only national journalism group students can affiliate with as an organization and have the same ranking as an existing member,” said Cindy. “At a national convention your vote has the same value as theirs.”

Simoneau has served on the SPJ board of directors since 1982 while working as a consulting editor at the Connecticut Post for the past 23 years. She was also a founder of the SPJ chapter at the University of Rhode Island as a student.

Being a part of the SPJ can benefit more than the resume. There are contest opportunities statewide and nationally to recognize good student journalism, as well as financial benefits that continue through graduation. The SPJ allows students to pay at the student rate for conventions and workshops around the country to build writing and reporting skills.

There are also workshops in the Northeast region that allow journalism students to meet other students with similar interests and share experiences.

“The opportunity that comes with it is so big because we all work together,” Simoneau said. “For example, we plan to join forces with the RTNDA (Radio Television Digital News Association) for a national convention so you can use that cross synergy to belong to one group and participate in another.”

The CCSU interest group is eligible to become an official national chapter within a year, and is looking to recruit members interested in the field of journalism.

Students interested in becoming a member of the group can contact President Andrew Ragali at [email protected].