National Association of Black Journalists

Deon Fisher is a public relations major at Southeast Missouri State University as well as the president of the National Association of Black Journalists. Over fall break his organization took a trip to Chicago to experience the real-life aspects of media. This trip allowed students in NABJ to network with professionals already working in mass media.

"We went on this trip, which was a media tour, to give students an opportunity to give them experience firsthand and to see what the industry is like now," Fisher said.

They visited multiple media outlets to allow each student's option to be covered because NABJ is made up of more than journalism students.

"We did a lot of networking," Fisher said. "And we met with a lot of professionals that are part of NABJ, and that was really cool."

Southeast's chapter of NABJ met with other college chapters as they traveled throughout Chicago's media outlets. Fisher believes that each of the students invested in themselves and in their personal future career.

"I think investing in yourself is important," Fisher said. "That's what I did, invested in myself."

NABJ students Casandra Lenoir (left), Reginald Whitted (middle) and Deon Fisher (right), visited a local Chicago radio station on their trip.

During the trip the students got to relax and visit Chicago's well-known monuments and also had the opportunity to meet with one media professional that, according to Fisher, was the highlight of the trip.

"We had lunch with Kevin Saghy, who does public relations for the Chicago Cubs," Fisher said. "Saghy really showed the students how the industry has changed."

He stressed a lot of personal tips that would help the students get an internship, and he shared his personal successes and struggles about making it within the sports media industry.

"He was really transparent," Fisher said. "He's just three or four years out of college, so to be where he is now is just amazing."

Saghy also addressed how sports media is trying to bridge the gap between the Caucasian and African-American population because there aren't a lot of African-Americans in front offices.

"I want to do sports PR, and I would love to be where Kevin is right now," Fisher said. "So whatever opens to allow me to do that I want to pursue."