ASJA welcomed several dozen college students to the ASJA: Always in Fashion, NYC2025 conference in New York Feb. 24-26, part of the organization’s outreach to the next generation of freelance writers.
“Having students at the conference was a win for everyone,” said Emily Paulsen, 2025 conference chair and immediate ASJA past president. “The students had the opportunity to meet and learn from experienced, successful freelance writers. And, at a time when people worry about the future of journalism, the students at the ASJA conference brought energy, insightful questions, and hope.”
Nine students from Fordham University’s undergraduate nonfiction writing seminar attended with English Department adjunct instructor and ASJA member John Hanc, who organized the excursion.
According to Hanc, the students’ favorite part of the conference was the books pitch slam. “It was exciting and informative for them to watch aspiring authors pitch their book ideas to a panel of literary agents,” Hanc said.
The dean’s office of Fordham College at Rose Hill provided an enrichment grant to underwrite the students’ attendance.
ASJA’s 2025 conference took place at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood. Several dozen FIT students studying journalism, communications, and event planning attended sessions and volunteered during the event, which had the university “buzzing,” according to this recap from FIT professor Allison Kyle Leopold.
Inviting students to attend some conference sessions is part of ASJA’s outreach to future freelancers. Connected to that outreach, the ASJA board has approved creating a student membership level, which will launch later in 2025. More details to follow.