The Department of Creative Arts and Media at the Technical University of Kenya (TU-K) held its Industry-Based Learning (IBL) Symposium for the 2024–2025 academic year in the Lecture Theatre. The event’s goal was to motivate students in Journalism and Media Studies by offering opportunities to network and engage in insightful discussions with experienced media professionals. Among the distinguished guests were investigative journalist Patrick Mayoyo, Ellen Wanjiru, Head of TV Editorial Content at Mediamax Network Ltd, Agnes Mwangangi, a Council Member for Radio at the Kenya Editors’ Guild (KEG), Emily Kaiga, Programme Officer at KEG, and Faith Mutegi, an accomplished TU-K alumnus currently working with AMREF and founder of Kushoto.org.
In her address, Ellen Wanjiru urged first-year students to engage in deep self-reflection regarding their career choices, emphasizing that a genuine passion for journalism is essential for long-term success. “Passion is what drove me into journalism. You must have a clear reason for choosing this path. Your audience should understand your purpose from the onset.”
Ms Mwangangi encouraged students to invest energy in their careers while they are still young and adaptable, especially in an industry evolving with emerging journalistic trends. “There’s room for everyone but you must bring value from day one.”
She stressed the importance of mastering core skills such as strong writing, clear communication, and thorough research. “Stay curious. Keep learning about technology, policy, and most importantly, people because there is always a human face behind every headline.”
Ms Mutegi shared insights about the transformative power of ethical storytelling, crediting it as a key driver in her professional journey. She offered five principles for impactful storytelling: challenge stereotypes and empower communities; tell stories with communities, not just about them; always obtain consent from your subjects; transition from dependency narratives to solution-based reporting; and embrace cross-sector collaboration by actively engaging with the communities involved.
Mutegi also urged students to foster a culture of collaboration over competition. “Celebrate each other’s wins, work together, and grow as a community,” she concluded.
The symposium served as a valuable platform for aspiring media professionals to learn, connect, and reflect on the values and responsibilities of ethical journalism.
