Summer journalism workshops at Teen Services

Instead of spending a summer tweeting and changing their Facebook status, Sonoma Valley teens have an opportunity to get a jump start on their careers this summer by signing up for three workshops: Introductory Journalism, Marketing and Advertising, and Graphic Design and Newsletter Basics.

Selected articles and designs generated by the workshops will be featured in The Sonoma Valley Sun.

The workshops are approximately 20 percent classroom instruction, with the balance in hands-on writing, planning, and design. Deb Carlen, owner of Five Ideas, a Sonoma communications consultancy, will conduct the workshops as a volunteer instructor. Carlen claims to have hundreds of years of experience in the disciplines offered, and was first bylined (given credit in print for a newspaper article) by “The Atlanta Journal” at age 15.

“We’re going to move fast from basic concepts right into article writing, creating press releases, understanding ‘why people buy stuff,’ through marketing basics, and producing publication design based on strong graphic principles. I also hope to encourage students who have been drawing—or doodling—for awhile to learn how to use their art in publications and logos.”

Carlen is also bringing opportunities for getting into print to the workshops, and with Executive Director Cristin Lawrence, has set up potential outlets for teens to function as professionals in editorial and advertising efforts in the community and online.

A Summer Orientation is scheduled for 4 p.m., Thursday, June 6, at the Teen Services building on Sonoma Highway. It is free, and interested students, teachers, and parents are encouraged to attend. The cost for any teen taking all three workshops is $25; taken individually, each workshops is $10 each. All proceeds go directly to the Teen Center.

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