Beyond the Classroom: How Today’s World Shapes Student Experiences
Photography By Mildred Dominici
By Mildred Dominici
FLUSHING, NY— Nine CUNY students walk through the Citi Field’s gates. All wearing press passes around their necks, each displaying the Mets logo along with their names.
Unaware of what they were about to experience: A real-world glimpse into the Sports Journalism industry, access to a professional Major League Baseball environment, and an opportunity that aspiring journalists in a city like New York can spend many years trying to reach.
But how did nine students from The City College of New York end up with access to such an opportunity? By attending class.
Roger Rubin, a sportswriter with decades of experience, was behind this opportunity and teaches “Sports Journalism (MCA 25000)” at City College of New York. His career has included work published by The Daily News, Newsday, and The Athletic.
For Rubin, the trip was not simply about putting students inside the press box at a baseball stadium; it was a glimpse into how material learned in the classroom could be applied in real-life events.
“The focus was on one of the aspects of journalism that I value the most: how to ask questions that produce insightful answers one can use in crafting their stories. So I wanted them to see a real news conference and how professionals ask questions” Rubin said.
Photography By Mildred Dominici
In this ever-changing world that keeps us behind screens, the rise of Artificial Intelligence and an uncertain economy are rapidly changing the media industry.
For aspiring journalists and students alike, the question is not only what opportunities are available for them, but also how they can navigate an uncertain future.
“Today’s students may be entering the workforce at a very transitional time… These students may also have concerns about how the rise of artificial intelligence will impact job prospects, and that’s reasonable because we have no idea where it will ultimately go…There is no substitute for making human connections with people who may be in a position to help you in the future.” Rubin said.
The average student's life is packed with tight schedules, long commutes and personal issues, making it challenging to find time to pursue opportunities outside the classroom. And with the recent integration of online classes and assignments, are students taking advantage of the opportunities available to them?
“I was impressed with the group of students that came out to the game. I think today’s students are far less likely to take advantage of an opportunity like this, and I am sort of sad about it. This generation of students, through no fault of their own, engage with fewer people because they devote a lot of time to using their technology.” Rubin said. “And being extroverted and curious and wanting to talk to people is key in journalism as well as other industries.”
And that same curiosity, even subconsciously, landed them in the press box of Citi Field, where they experienced not only a good game but also an industry that, despite its uncertainty, can feed something deeper: the will to go out, to ask, to challenge oneself, or simply—to go to class.
Mildred Dominici is a junior international student journalism major at City College of New York interested in covering the diverse cultures, social issues, and arts that make New York City what it is. She enjoys retro video games and film.
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