Girl Scout Media Girls learn interviewing skills from Girl Scout media pros

The Media Girls had their first 2018 meeting on Saturday, January 12, and to get their media skills sharpened for the start of the year, they learned from two Girl Scout media pros—Sarah Buck, Girl Scout alumna and Virginia public affairs manager for Cox Communications, and Girl Scout Senior Lily, who served as a Media Girl at the G.I.R.L. 2017 in Columbus, Ohio.

Sarah joined the Girl Scouts when she was in 2nd, and even earned her Gold Award right here in our Council. Sharing her career knowledge and experience with our Media Girls, Sarah told the girls that she always includes her scouting experience on her professional resume.

"My leadership skills started back in 2nd grade," Sarah said. "I learned how to be a leader from my time in the Girl Scouts."

Sarah interviewed Girl Scout Michelle about her community service project. 

Now that she's a public relations professional, Sarah gave the girls advice on how to feel comfortable in front of a camera. She also told the girls that it's very important for Media Girls to always have three key pieces of information prepared to share with audiences.

"If you go in with your prepared items, you'll feel more confident," Sarah said. "And the more you prepare your key points, the easier it will be to share them."

At GSUSA's G.I.R.L. 2017 Convention, Lily helped gather feedback from attendees about the convention. She shared convention news with Girl Scouts, too.

Lily showed the Media Girls photos from her convention experience and
explained how they made Girl Scout TV each day.

"We got to work with the local news stations," Lily told the Media Girls about her experience. "As Media Girls, we had the knowledge of who people were and the G.I.R.L. experience, and the station had the technology, so we teamed up to make Girl Scout TV."

Participating at the convention really helped Lily practice for some of the Media Girl tasks she's taken on for the Council in the past few weeks. To help spread the word about this year's Cookie Program, Lily has been on radio and television interviews with Z104's DJ Ashley and on Coast Live.

What can girls do to be good Media Girls? Lily said they should THOUGHT.

"You always have to be prepared because sometimes, the media is very fast-paced," Lily said about her recent interviews.

During their meeting, the Media Girls learned how to be good listeners, ask great questions and use their voices in a way that allows them to be heard. Sarah interviewed some of the girls about awards, community service projects and the cookie program.

"Always look at the person who is interviewing you, not at the camera," Sarah explained. "It will be much more comfortable if you're just having a conversation."

The learning didn't stop at the end of the meeting, either. These go-getters left with their own assignments: they will interview their troop members and fellow Girl Scouts about their cookie business strategies, goals and plans for this year's proceeds and write about them so that more girl stories can be heard and shared.

Sarah's Tips for a Great Interview:

1. Be a good listener.
2. Don't talk to fill the silence. 
3. Give relevant information in your answers.
4. Think about what you want the audience to take away from the interview.
5. Don't fidget.

Girl Scout Julissa practiced her Media Girl skills at this year's Cookie Kickoff

At this year's Cookie Kickoff, one of our very own Media Girls got to try her hand at interviewing others at the event!

How did it go? Girl Scout Junior Julissa from Troop 828 in Virginia Beach told us all about her official Media Girl duties.

Julissa was responsible for interviewing Girl Scouts and Troop Leaders about their cookie goals for the upcoming year.

"I got to interview Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes and Seniors," Julissa said. "The girls were asked what their names were, what troop they were from and what their cookie goal was for the year. The highest goal was to sell 2,000 boxes of cookies."

Julissa admitted that since it was her first big Media Girl task, she was a little nervous. But she was able to harness that energy and use it to get to know all about what goals Girl Scouts are setting this cookie season.

Girl Scout Julissa, left, interviewing Girl Scout Kaitlyn from Troop 1346
at this year's Cookie Kickoff.

"I did my best to not show [my nervousness] by smiling," Julissa said. "I know that a smile is contagious and it can change somebody's day. I hope to learn as much as I can so that in the future I can help other girls who would like to be part of Media Girls team."

Because she was tasked with interviewing so many girls, Julissa said her favorite part of Cookie Kickoff was getting to meet so many new friends—even if it was a little loud at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center.

"My favorite part was meeting many other Girl Scouts just like me," Julissa said. "I especially remember meeting a group of Daisies. They all came up to me, hugged me and told me I was their new BFF! They put a big smile on my face."

After fulfilling her Media Girl duties, Julissa had fun touring the museum
and checking out some of the hands-on activities.

All in all, being a Media Girl at an official event was a lot of fun for Julissa, and she said she's looking forward to being a Media Girl at upcoming events next year—and even doing radio and television interviews.

"I think this would be a nice experience since I'm new to Media Girls," Julissa said. "I would also love to attend the Norfolk Tides game and Zoo Fest."