For many journalism students, the transition from the lecture hall to the professional world is a daunting leap. As the comforts of student life fade, the harsh realities of a competitive industry set in. But how prepared are the next generation of storytellers to navigate this shift?
This was the focus of the session organized by the Camer Today News Project (CTNP). The workshop brought together final-year students and recent graduates from the University of Buea (UB), the University of Bamenda (UBa), and the Advanced School of Mass Communication (ASMAC) in Yaoundé on Saturday 14 March, 2026.
The first speaker Cynthia Ebot, an award-winning journalist, shared her journey as a thriving professional in today’s digital landscape. Her message was clear: mastery of the craft begins now.
“Get the basics of writing right and look for opportunities to practice while you are still students,” Ebot urged. She emphasised the importance of visibility, advising participants to “put yourself in spaces that matter to maximise opportunities”.
Addressing the inevitable hurdles of a media career, Ebot encouraged students to view rejection as a stepping stone rather than a stop sign. She also addressed the specific challenges women face in the industry and advocated for high ethical standards. “Know your boundaries, make strategic connections, and position yourself not to make the same mistakes, have integrity and avoid compromising positions,” she stated.
Transitioning to the Corporate and Digital Space
Njie Enow Ebai, Account Director at APO Group, provided a roadmap for moving from traditional newsrooms to the corporate world through his session dubbed “Navigating the realities of journalism practice and how to transition from the newsroom to the Corporate World”.
He stressed that a journalist’s reputation begins during their internship.
“Get a beat; that is where the transition starts,” Ebai noted, adding that consistency is the key to building a brand. “The more you write, the more people hear about you, and the more you build a reputation.”
In an era where traditional media outlets face sustainability challenges, Ebai called on participants to embrace digital platforms. He recommended platforms such as 𝐌𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐤 and 𝐏𝐚𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐤 to expand their reach beyond national borders. “Besides pitching, angling matters. Know the platform you are writing for and understand your audience,” he emphasised.
He also encouraged participants and urged them to be persistent and never give up, as there will be “bad, terrible and crazy days, but at the end of the day, know what you are fighting for and know what keeps you going”.
Impact: A Shift in the Narrative
The training left a visible mark on the participants. For Alvin Nyamdi, a recent graduate of the University of Buea, the session provided a moment of self-reflection. “I have learned that using one’s weaknesses as a propeller to success is vital. Once you identify these gaps, you can fill them and meet your goals,” he explained.
Similarly, Chelsea Francis Teghen, a final-year student at the University of Bamenda, described the session as a confidence booster. “I have always wanted to be a journalist, and attending this training today is just a reminder that I can become the person I want to be”, she added that “as I leave today, I am going out there to strive better, work with discipline, integrity, determination and I am going out there to teach my community” she promised.
Bridging the Knowledge Gap
The training, titled “𝑵𝒆𝒘𝒔𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒎 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔: 𝑳𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈 𝑱𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒔,” is the second in a series organised by the Camer Today News Project to commemorate Women’s History Month.
According to Giyo Ndzi, Co-Founder of Camer Today, the initiative was born out of a need to address the “knowledge gap” in Cameroon’s media ecosystem. “If we want to build an ideal ecosystem, we need to start from the base,” Ndzi explained. He highlighted the goal of making newsrooms safer and more welcoming for female reporters and young journalists over the next decade.
“In the next five or ten years, we are going to have not just amazing journalists both male and female, but create a livable experience for journalists in the media ecosystem” Ndzi said.
Bizel-Bi Mafor, Head of Development and Training for CTNP, concluded that such sessions are essential for easing the professional transition. “I hope they put this knowledge into practice and not just treat it as another training attended,” she added.