By Jenna Oden

Journalism and communication students from Troy University filled the Trojan Center ballrooms yesterday to hear how they can “Excel in a Volatile Time for News,” from journalist and Troy alum Micah Grimes.

The annual symposium, held by the Hall School of Journalism and Communication, happens annually in memory of M. Stanton Evans.

“Writing and be able to write is a fundamental need in today’s world,” Chancellor Jack Hawkins, said.

Micah Grimes graduated from Troy in 2010, where he majored in broadcast journalism and played football. Now he is the head of social media for NBC News and MSNBC.

“It is bizarre to be back,” Grimes said. “It is bizarre to be back in this place where I thought I could do something then dreamed and did it all. Without the scholarships I got, I would not be here.”

From hard work, perseverance and even failure, Grimes encouraged students to focus on their next move constantly and be prepared for anything to be thrown at them in the industry.

“Nothing will replace hard work,” Grimes said. “But you have to know when to see failure and give up when it is appropriate. We all fail sometimes but you get back up.”

A major key to getting a job or internship after or during college is marketing oneself, according to Grimes.

“You have got get your voice in, sit in the front, ask questions,” Grimes said. “You are your best PR person. Get on LinkedIn and if you want something you have got to work to get it.”

Grimes showed students that this is a new age of journalism, news is abnormal and that journalists must, “reinforce, redefine and redefine journalism.”

One Troy student, Stephanie Snyder, said she was most excited about the symposium because of who Grimes is.

When I heard who Micah was and how important he is to NBC news, I was extremely excited to attend,” Snyder said. “I liked learning about his opinions of fakes news and his opinion of how to make it in a big-time news station. Not to mention he is a Troy alumni, which is a big deal that alum are going out and being this successful.”