Students from Elon’s Communications’ Fellows and Communications’ Learning Communities traveled to Atlanta Sept. 25-27. On the trip, coordinated by Leah Kessler for the Communications Learning Community Floor and Fellows, the students got to tour various communications companies and speak with employees. Students were accompanied by communications faculty members Janna Anderson, Ray Johnson and Gerald Gibson, as well as Kessler, director of internships and special projects for the School of Communications.
On Friday, Sept. 26, the group started the day with a visit to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper, owned by Cox Enterprises. Students got to see newspapers printing as they toured the facilities, and learned what it takes to put together a newspaper.
Students also met several journalists at the AJC. Elon graduate Rogers Harrison, who works for Cox Enterprises, showed the group around and explained many career options in the journalism field.
After enjoying lunch at CNN and a walk through Olympic Centennial Park, the group took a tour of the CNN Center. Students observed how teleprompting works and why the weather is shot with a blue screen backdrop. They saw a live news broadcast and observed a “working” newsroom. Elon graduate Alex Medieros spoke to the group after the tour and described his work at CNN News Source.
Next on the schedule was a stop at the World of Coca-Cola Museum. Students saw various advertisements and commercials throughout Coca-Cola’s history, and tasted different Coke beverages from around the world.
The group was joined at the Hard Rock Café for dinner by several Elon alumni and Elon Communications Advisory Board Member Ellen Hartman. Following dinner, students enjoyed a comedy performance at the Whole World Theater.
Saturday, the group went to Six Flags over Georgia and met Jim Taylor, public relations director. He shared his experiences from different public relations jobs, as well as his experience at Six Flags.