National Broadcasting Society helps students prepare for future, gain experience

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There’s no business like show business, but with National Broadcasting Society, students can get a head start.

NBS is a registered student organization that focuses on helping students develop the skills they need to succeed in broadcasting or communication fields, NBS president Devin Jones said.

The Riverview senior has been a member of NBS since her freshman year at Central Michigan University and has served as president for the last two years. She said one of the main purposes of the RSO is to help students learn the networking skills which are often essential to success.

“I’ve learned that networking is the most important thing in this industry,” Jones said. “It’s all who you know, the internships that you do, the people you meet at the internships and the people in the actual broadcasting program, because those are the people you’re going to be working with in the future.”

Broadcast and Cinematic Arts Instructor Jeff Smith, faculty advisor for NBS, also emphasized the importance of getting to know your future peers and coworkers. He said NBS tries to cater to all types of students, including public relations and communications majors. He thinks they will all find the group useful.

“One of the big things about NBS is making contacts with people in the industry before you get in the industry,” Smith said. “We spend a good amount of time for those looking for a job to make sure they have the skills to do that.”

The group goes on tours of broadcasting workplaces, invites guest speakers and practices building resumes. Jones said NBS tried to involve younger groups and help them get emotionally involved with the organization this year.

“We wanted them to feel a part of it, so this year we had new student members plan the whole showcase,” she said.

Grosse Pointe Farms sophomore Angela Simon was one of the students who worked on the NBS student showcase. She said she was excited to do a good a job and prove herself to the group.

Simon said she really enjoys the closeness of the group and hopes the resume-building skills she learned will work to get her name out there to people in the industry.

“It’s been a great experience, and I really hope it helps open doors for me,” she said.

In late February NBS will host its 48-hour film competition, a two day race for students to write, shoot, direct and edit an original film. Their marquee event, however, will be a trip to the NBS National Convention in Hollywood from March 15th to 20th. Registration is $200 and Jones said the full trip would roughly cost about $1,200 per student. She said it it is worth the money for students to start circulating their resumes.

“Students can submit all the projects they’ve done and get recognized in front of the whole NBS,” Jones said. “This is the best way to meet people, and we get to meet them nationally when we step outside CMU’s comfort zone and our doors open across the United States.”

The RSO has about 35 members and meets biweekly at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays in Moore 114. There is a $55 yearly fee to join.