Schedule

All times listed are Eastern Standard. This schedule is subject to change.

day 1

friday, march 3

We’ll open up the Conference with a day of career prep! Students will get ready for the afternoon’s Career & Community Expo with a series of sessions focused on job applications, networking, and journalism school. They’ll also learn from experts about protecting their mental health when reporting on difficult topics. We’ll close out the day with a keynote conversation with Tiktok sensation and NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists member Megan Mitchell! Students will be able to ask Megan questions and hear about her unique journey from local broadcaster to social media sensation. 

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12:00 p.m. -1:00 p.m. ET | One-on-One Resume, Reel and Portfolio Critiques (Pre-Registration Required)

Sit down with a recruiter or veteran journalist to evaluate your resume and portfolio materials and learn how to improve them. Slots for this session are limited and pre-reserved. If you have been selected for a slot, we will be in touch with the time and your assigned reviewer. Please contact info@nlgja.org with any questions.

1:00 - 1:10 p.m. ET | Welcome and Introduction

Start your conference experience off on the right foot with this introduction to NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists and our third annual Student Conference.

1:10 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. ET | Nailing the Job Search and Application

The job search can be nerve-wracking, especially for new graduates and young professionals. With this webinar, attendees will walk away with concrete tips and tricks for nailing any job application or interview, leaving them better prepared for the next steps in their careers.

1:40 - 2:00 p.m. ET | Networking - Ask the Recruiter

Networking can be intimidating – but it doesn’t have to be! Learn how to make the most of networking opportunities in this speed session.

2:10 - 2:30 p.m. ET | Mental Health and Self-Care

Journalists today are under a tremendous amount of stress. Research suggests that between 80 to 100% of journalists have been exposed to a traumatic event on the job, according to the Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma, and this profession-based stress collides with an unprecedented mental health crisis facing today’s youth. How can young journalists cope with the pressure of covering traumatic events and tragedies, including a wave of harassment and prejudice against their own communities? In this session, students will learn tips for coping with burnout, managing stress and taking care of their mental health.

2:40 - 3:00 p.m. ET | Is J School Right for Me?

In this session covering J-School, students will learn what to expect when pursuing a higher degree in journalism. We’ll demystify the application process, review alternative career and education paths, and discuss whether attending J-School may be the right choice for you.

3:00 - 5:00 p.m. ET | Career & Community Expo

Searching for the next step in your career? Looking for a Summer or Fall internship? Introduce yourself to recruiters from top newsrooms, universities and journalism organizations and learn about their available internships and career opportunities. Check back in soon for more information about exhibitors.

5:00 - 6:00 p.m. ET | Keynote Conversation with Megan Mitchell

TikTok sensation Megan Mitchell will sit down with one of our student members for a conversation about their experiences in journalism, their journey to broadcast and going viral on social media. Mitchell will also answer questions from the audience, and you can submit your question here.

6:00 - 7:00 p.m. ET | Networking Hour

Build your community and connect with fellow students and early-career journalists in this open networking room.

day 2

saturday, march 4

Go deep on Day 2 of the Conference with a series of probing, hour-long sessions. Learn about tools and strategies for safeguarding your social media profiles and staying safe online. Tune in for an in-depth conversation about the experiences of queer people of color in newsrooms, and learn how to ensure your coverage is accurate, sensitive and fair. Hear from established journalists about how they approach their work with authenticity and integrity, and close out the conference with a final keynote conversation!

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1:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET | Social Media Self-Defense

LGBTQ+ journalists, creators and activists are facing unprecedented amounts of harassment online. This session will equip you with practical self-defense tools and strategies to help you fight back and continue exercising your free expression rights.

2:00 - 3:00 p.m. ET | Beyond the Binary: Intersectionality and the QPOC Experience

Join us in this session for an honest discussion of the experiences of queer people of color in the newsroom. All too often, coverage of LGBTQ+ identities and communities fails to take into account the intersections of identities beyond the realm of gender and sexuality. What does it mean to move through the world, and the newsroom, as a queer person of color? How can young journalists ensure that their coverage of communities of color is fair and accurate?

3:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET | Navigating Outness and Identity at the Newsdesk

We hear recruiters say, “bring your whole self,” to work, but that can be easier said than done. As queer journalists, how can we stay true to ourselves in a newsroom that might be hostile to us? In this session, attendees will hear from established journalists about how they approach their work with authenticity and integrity.

4:00 - 4:30 p.m. ET | Trans Truths, Trans Joy, Trans Stories

The past several years have seen escalating – and devastating – attacks on transgender and nonbinary people, particularly trans, nonbinary and gender fluid youth. Young trans people are finding themselves more visible than ever, but the increase in media attention often focuses on the negative and leaves out vitally important stories of trans joy. Not only is it crucial for other young trans people to see their peers thriving, it is also necessary to demonstrate to a wider audience that the trans experience is multifaceted. Join us for a conversation with Chazzie Grosshandler and Eve May, two champions from GenderCool, an organization dedicated to sharing just those kinds of stories. 

4:30 - 5:30 p.m. ET | Closing Networking Rooms

Build your community and connect with fellow students and early-career journalists in this open networking room.