And, while we’re on the subject, don’t
forget to check all the technology
your speaker will need and have a
“Plan B.” I once brought a Pulitzer
Prize-winning photographer to
campus, only to have her computer
not work on our system, then watch
in horror as my computer ate her
presentation. Always alert the IT
department that you may need
help during the presentation and, if
possible, have a tech staffer on hand
until the coast is clear.
After the event
Besides listening to the sage
advice and war stories of a working
journalist, another highlight for
students can be asking questions
once class is over. If possible,
arranging for snacks or coffee in a
more intimate setting is gold for
aspiring journalists. Just make sure
that your speaker is comfortable
in that more relaxed setting, and
let him or her know in advance
that student enthusiasm, while
contagious, can also be on the
enervating side for adults.
JIM BURNS
Jim Burns is the upper school
communications department
chair at Harvard-Westlake
School in Los Angeles, and
a College Media Association
honor roll recipient.
He also writes the blog
www.lariverflyfishing.com
about the renewal of the Los
Angeles River.