BENEFITS OF JOINING SPJ  

• Networking. Through our affiliation with the Maryland Pro Chapter, you may meet local professionals. You will also get to know fellow Towson University students who are interested in journalism.
• Campus speakers. Local journalists speak to students, and activities related to journalism are provided each semester.
• Quill. This is SPJ's national magazine, which is free to all members who join nationally. It is a highly regarded magazine covering the journalism industry in-depth. Issues covered in Quill are discussed in many of the MCOM and COMM classes at Towson.
• Professional Development. SPJ allows you to better understand the industry even before you enter the profession. SPJ has programs that include the National Convention, local workshops, regional conferences, internships, and career development seminars.
• Jobs for Journalists. SPJ provides a weekly newsletter and online service available to members at a small fee. It lists job openings, internships, and other opportunities.
• Awards. Each SPJ region sponsors Mark of Excellence awards for student journalists annually. These awards are highly respected by future employers.
• The Pulliam/Kilgore First Amendment and Project Sunshine internships are paid internships that allow students to research and write about freedom of information. The national office also provides a resource center for journalists who are trying to gain access to records and meetings.
• Legal Defense Fund. The fund helps journalists threatened with legal battles.