UNIZIK to Host Career Development Summit for Mass Communication Graduates
The Mass Communication Department at Nnamdi Azikiwe University is holding a Career Development Summit to address the 16% drop-off in graduates joining newsrooms and guide students toward career success.
Mary Nwaeze 
The Head of the Mass Communication Department at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra, Dr. Chioma Agbasimelo, has announced that 16% of graduates from the department do not proceed to work in newsrooms after completing their studies. To address this issue, the department is organizing a Career Development Summit for its mass communication students on Thursday, April 25th, 2024.
Dr. Agbasimelo, who made the announcement during a press briefing on Monday, explained that the summit aims to change the narrative and encourage students to specialize in areas that will lead them to careers in journalism and related fields. She emphasized that the initiative is designed to help students identify their career paths early in their academic journey.
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The keynote speaker for the event will be Valentine Obienyem, a prominent media aide to the Labour Party's Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi. Obienyem is an experienced journalist, a lawyer with an LLB, and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication. Dr. Agbasimelo noted that Obienyem's extensive experience in journalism and law makes him an ideal candidate to inspire students and guide them toward successful careers.
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Other notable speakers at the summit include the Head of the Mass Communication Department at Paul University, Prof. Chinwe Uzochukwu, who will serve as Chairman, and Prof. Stella Okunna, who will be the lead paper presenter. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, and the Faculty Dean will also attend as hosts.
The summit will feature plenary sessions with industry experts, including the CEO of Anambra State Signage and Advertising Agency, Mr. Mike Odili, and others such as UNIZIK PRO, Mrs. Chike Ene, Mr. Elvis Ohanyele, and Comrade Alloy Attah.
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Dr. Agbasimelo expressed confidence that the summit will guide students toward areas of specialization and help them transition smoothly into the newsroom after graduation. She noted that many institutions are unbundling their mass communication departments to provide more specialized training, and UNIZIK is in the process of doing the same.
The event is expected to attract over 1,270 students, including about 300 from the first year, who might not yet have chosen their areas of interest. The department aims to improve these students' focus and preparedness for the industry through the summit and ensure they are well-equipped for their future careers.
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