Fourth grade students at Wenonah Elementary School have been working on a career exploration project all year. With the help of library media specialist Eric Lounsbury-Marone, some of these students interviewed me via Skype about my career in media and communications.
For nearly 30 minutes, the students asked spirited questions about journalism, media, book publishing and public relations one at a time from a computer in the Lake Grove, N.Y. building.
“Is it harder to run the Sachem media with the budget issues?” asked Luke from class 4-3.
That was the most topical question because of the budget climate we’re currently in, having failed the first vote on May 21 and prepping for another on June 18.
Victoria, from Class 4-2, asked, “what would you do if the world of books didn’t exist?”
As a journalism professor, this question peaked my interest on a number of levels. When you start to question printing and publishing it opens a ton of doors. My immediate response spoke to the evolution of the printing press – yes, I dropped Johann Gutenberg’s name – and where books fit into our digitally drenched media society.
Other students asked about my writing process, cultivating ideas, and some even asked about my favorite publishing platforms (Madison from 4-3, especially!).
I enjoy speaking about journalism and media, but rarely get to explain what I do in detail to elementary school children.
Considering the Skype activity is meant to invigorate their early career exploration, the idea of communicating digitally from my home office to their classroom with the click of a few buttons is a powerful and necessary tool for students to grow in our ever-expanding and cumbersome technologically enthused society.
A major theme in my verbiage to the class was my love and devotion for Sachem. I spoke of my initial influencers as a freshman at Sachem High School South (yes, there was a south once!). I spoke of the necessity to read and write as much as possible, even if a large percentage of the material they’re subjected to comes on a digital palette. And as I often do, especially with high school and college students, I spoke about taking advantage of the opportunities around them to benefit their futures and careers.
I’d say they’re all headed in the right path. This open line of interpersonal communication will allow them to blossom in so many effective and workable moments in their lives. I’m thrilled for our Sachem students and their bright futures.
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro