More than 80 college students gathered in Washington for IPJ’s annual journalism conference, “Post Election Reflection: Covering the Campaign of 2010.”

Held on November 5 and 6, students from 46 colleges and universities, representing 25 states and three foreign countries, attended sessions and panels led by professionals in the journalism field.

“We hold these conferences to expose young journalists to new ideas and methods for practicing journalism,” explained IPJ director Joe Starrs. “Our goal is also to have them meet and network with top working journalists and to introduce them to the many opportunities TFAS has to offer.”

Sessions ranged from reporters sharing firsthand tales from the campaign trail to seasoned journalists offering career advice.

Three IPJ alumni participated in the conference as presenters. Dr. Kimberly Meltzer (J 96) of Georgetown University delivered the opening address on covering politics in the digital age, while Tricia Miller (J 05, EJI 10) of CQ Roll Call and Jessica Taylor (J 05) of POLITICO served on a panel entitled “Campaign Overview: Winners and Losers.”

Charles Mahtesian, national politics editor at POLITICO, gave the keynote address during a dinner banquet on November 5. Mahtesian provided analysis of the elections from a journalist’s perspective.

Fourteen IPJ alumni also attended the banquet to serve as ambassadors for TFAS. The group dispersed throughout the room, talking with attendees and answering questions about TFAS and their experiences as participants.

The conference concluded with a visit to the Newseum, Washington’s interactive museum of news, where the students received behind-the-scenes views of how and why news is made, tracing back five centuries.