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| Cool Careers: Rona Zlokower, Director and Co-Founder of Media Power Youth By: Jennifer Heath Most of us have things we are good at, our talents and skills such as writing abilities and the power to persuade others, and things we feel passionate about, such as politics, animal rights or literacy efforts. The key to a rewarding and fulfilling career is finding a nice way to blend the two. Rona Zlokower, the director of Media Power Youth, is an inspiring example of a strong woman who has used her background and training in communication to support her passion for education and public health. Eight years ago, when research about the dangerous links between media and risk factors affecting youth first began, Rona and two pediatricians, Selma Deitch, MD and Rob Nordgren , MD, MPH founded Media Power Youth (MPY). Back then, researchers were just starting to pick up on the dangerous role media was playing in youths’ lives. Fast forward eight years and the question isn’t “is media affecting our youth?”, but rather, “in way ways is media negatively influencing and harming our children and our culture?” As Director of MPY, Rona is attempting to answer that huge question. Her organization seeks to inform youth about how to consume media responsibly with a critical mind. MPY also reaches out to families and professionals to learn about the media’s current hold on our culture. Their mission is “to empower youth to avoid at-risk behaviors, succeed in school and make healthy, safe choices through thoughtful, creative and informed use of media.” Through community education, her agency provides programs for schools, organizations and professionals, including health focused media literacy skills, information and interventions. Just why is this organization and its mission important? “ Because media is everywhere!” Rona explains, “ If we don’t question it and produce our own media and contribute our voice we could lose control of our health, democracy and ultimately our culture. We are already being led in ways that are not healthy. This is historic. When I grew up it was families, parents, librarians that were informing us and teaching us about the world, now we get most of our information from the media. Is it leading us in the right direction?” Rona describes why it is dangerous to passively consume media. “When it is coming at us, it has an agenda and a motive that may not be ours. People are profiting from the messages it is selling us.” As a mother, Rona has recognized how much media’s influence has been growing on children and their lives. She cites that the average teenager spends about 8 hours a day consuming media. (You are on the computer reading this right now, aren’t you?) That means that youth are spending the majority of their time plugged into TV, Music, Computers, etc. That’s more time then is spent sleeping or being at school. As she became alarmed about media’s influence on youth, she decided to use her communications Master’s degree from Simmons College in Boston in partnership with her passion for public health to create MPY. She continued her education at the New Mexico Media Literacy Institute where she learned about how to teach people to consume media consciously and purposefully. Interested in joining her effort? There are many opportunities for young women to get involved and start shaking up some of the more damaging stereotypes about women in our culture. For her position, she has to manage and lead the agency effectively. Directors need to have strong writing skills, be media savvy, be able to speak in public and convince and lead an audience. Being a leader doesn’t happen overnight. Rona describes important ways for young women to hone their leadership skills through volunteer opportunities. “If you are part of an organization or club, push yourself to take on more responsibilities. This will give you good practice in delegating and motivating people. Sign up to chair a committee or club. Go to seminars, conferences and listen to motivational speakers. Another great way to learn from a leader is to shadow someone who inspires you or is in a future career you are interested in. Don’t be afraid to ask, they will be flattered!” Rona also mentions that there are volunteer opportunities in her agency for interested youth. MPY provides media production opportunities for youth to create and promote healthy messages. Educate yourself! Rona has some helpful questions to think of when consuming media (watching TV, movies, reading magazines or seeing an ad, etc) 1. What story is this picture or scene telling? What story isn’t being told? 2. Is it providing a healthy message or perpetuating a negative message? 3. Does this make me a better or more interesting person after seeing this? 4. (If there are people) How are they portrayed? Are there just body parts or whole people? 5. If it is a picture of a woman, is she coming across as a strong, healthy, capable, thinking person? 6. Does this ad inform me, or give me important information? 7. Who funded this? Is this valid or true? For information: please call or write Rona Zlokower, Director Media Power Youth 1245 Elm Street Manchester, NH 03101 (603) 668-6629, ext. 176 r.zlokower@mediapoweryouth.org |
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