Teens in Print’s Second Annual Networking Breakfast
On Friday, August 9, 2019, students from the Teens in Print Summer Journalism Institute (SJI) and local professionals gathered at the Federal Reserve Bank for WriteBoston’s second annual Professional Networking Breakfast. The event was designed to connect teens with adults across a variety of professions and careers–from science journalism to law, education, and social entrepreneurship.
After a hearty breakfast and some informal chit-chat, attendees, students, and staff alike were welcomed by Phillip Page, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Cambridge College and WriteBoston board member.
To give our professional guests a student’s perspective of Teens in Print, Fenway High Schooler and SJI participant Nathan took the stage. Nathan talked us through his discovery of the Teens in Print newspaper and his first publication: an impassioned essay about living with autism. Throughout his time at SJI, Nathan has been buoyed by relationships he’s formed with peers and inspired to write many more articles for the paper–an outlet he says is incredibly important for youth.
Getting down to some serious speed networking.
Adult and student pairs engaged in 10-minute lighting round conversations at assigned tables. Students came prepared with custom business cards, which they exchanged with the professionals. Conversations revolved around the students’ recent article topics, career paths, college advice, and more.
We think it went great. But don’t take our word for it.
After the final round, students and professionals shared tidbits about their experience: what surprised, impressed, and excited them. Our students had a lot to say.
Thank you! You’ll be hearing from us.
The professionals were generous with their information, offering to speak further, set students up with a contact, or advise them on future jobs or internships.
88% of students in attendance reported that they intend to follow up with one or more of the professionals they spoke with.
To all the professionals who came out and spoke to our students: we can’t thank you enough. Showing up for our students, even for a ten-minute conversation, validates the work they’re doing as young journalists and gives them incredibly valuable insight that can inform their future paths.
Keep up with these kids.
See what our summer students have been up to by following WriteBoston and Teens in Print on social media, and be sure to check out bostontip.com for the September edition of Teens in Print, where you’ll find our SJI students’ published work.
