A selection of ThreeSixty Journalism students joined Minnesota Public Radio at its Minnesota State Fair booth as radio producers, learning skills that will help them in their journalism careers. Seven students got hands-on experience in radio producing, from coaching interviewees through scripts to working with radio equipment. The students helped with MPR’s impact audio booth, where state fairgoers recorded their most meaningful MPR listeners’ moments and election questions.
ThreeSixty students helped with MPR’s impact audio booth, where state fairgoers recorded their most meaningful MPR listener’s moments and election questions.
“The ThreeSixty students that were our recording booth producers came to MPR without any experience in radio,” said MPR marketing specialist Bethany Barberg. “The students did not shy away from learning a new skill and were excited to get started. Thank you to ThreeSixty for sharing this bright and enthusiastic next generation of journalists with MPR.”
Overall, 384 stories were recorded over the course of the fair with the help of ThreeSixty students, MPR volunteers and staff. The stories will be used for member drives, on-air promos and research.
ThreeSixty student Katelyn Vue, a junior at North High School in North St. Paul, said meeting the listeners was the best part of the experience. “Listeners had stories that were heart-warming and mind-blowing, and all were a lot of fun hearing. I can’t wait to see what MPR plans on doing next!”
MPR and ThreeSixty Journalism will partner again next year for the fair.
“MPR is committed to teaching and inspiring the next generation of journalists. Our partnership with ThreeSixty Journalism allows us to do this,” said Ka Vang, director of impact and community engagement. “MPR also benefits from having ThreeSixty students at our state fair booth, because their abundance of energy and natural thirst for knowledge rubbed off on the staff, volunteers and state fairgoers visiting our booth.”
