If you have a topic you would like for me to explore, please feel free to comment after this post or contact me via Twitter, @editorev.

Summer has arrived and you know what that means! Conference season is here!

It's the perfect time to find a journalism conference near you (or far) to learn new skills, network, make some new friends and have fun all at the same time.

If you haven't registered to attend a conference yet, take a look at the following list and make it a priority to go. There are many benefits to attending a conference and many attendees leave with job leads and a new career opportunity. That could be you! Don't miss out.

Event: IRE 2013
Hosted by: Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE)
Location: San Antonio
Date: June 20-23
For more information click here.

Event: AAN Convention 2013
Hosted by: Association of Alternative Weeklies
Location: Miami
Date: July 11-13
For more information click here.

Event: Forging the Future
Hosted by: National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) and Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)
Location: Miami
Date: July 12-13
For more information click here.

Event: Our Voices, Our Stories, our Future
Hosted by: Native American Journalists Association (NAJA)
Location: Phoenix
Date: July 18-21
For more information click here.

Event: NABJ 38th Annual Convention and Career Fair
Hosted by: The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)
Location: Orlando, FL
Date: July 31- August 4
For more information click here.

Event: AAJA 23rd Annual Convention
Hosted by: Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA)
Location: New York
Date: August 21-24
For more information click here.

Event: Boston Uncommon - - National Convention & LGBT Media Summit
Hosted by: The National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA)
Location: Boston
Date: August 22-25
For more information click here.

Event: Excellence in Journalism Conference
Hosted by: The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)
Location: Anaheim, CA
Date: August 24-26
For more information click here.

Event: Radio Show
Hosted by: The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and The Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB)
Location: Orlando, FL
Date: September 18-20
For more information click here. 

Whether you're a reporter, blogger, author or other content creator, ProfNet can help you with your search for expert sources. You can send a query to tens of thousands of experts and PR agents, search the more than 60,000 profiles on ProfNet Connect, or get timely experts and story ideas by email -- all for free! Need help getting started? Email us at profnet@profnet.com 

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Whether you're a reporter, blogger, author or other content creator, ProfNet can help you with your search for expert sources. You can send a query to tens of thousands of experts and PR agents, search the more than 60,000 profiles on ProfNet Connect, or get timely experts and story ideas by email -- all for free! Need help getting started? Email us at profnet@profnet.com 

The job of a television reporter can be challenging, one which much too often does not get the respect it should. However, usually reporters find a story, report it, move on and head back to the station or go home.

Then there are those days when reporters get hit by vehicles, spit on by passersby, get interrupted by the inebriated partygoer celebrating well, whatever they're celebrating, and then there are the subjects you want to interview that really do not want you there putting a mic and camera to their face.

Just recently a reporter in Rhode Island went to the home of a mother whose daughter was shot at a kindergarten graduation and instead of saying, "no comment" as is the standard for declining to give an interview, she threw a rock at the news crew when asked a question by the reporter, threatened them with a bat and then ordered her two pit bulls to attack. The reporter was bitten on the forearm as the video shows.

There are arguments for both sides. Some might say the media is too intrusive and why bother a woman who has a daughter recuperating from a gunshot wound when she probably just wants to be left alone. Then you have those who say it's the reporter's right to try and get the interview on what is public property where no trespassing has taken place.

Do you think the reporter harassed the woman? Was she too forceful? I think the key is knowing when to back off and realizing when you're going too far to get something you're probably not going to. In this particular case, however, it doesn't seem the reporter was being too aggressive. She seemed prepared to leave when she was attacked. A news reporter's job is to report the news, get commentary and speak to people directly involved with a particular story. Subjects who behave like this obviously make it impossible and instead of reacting in a civil manner, decide an assault -- caught on camera -- is the best way to go.

Whether you like the media or not, the reaction by the wounded girl's mother was completely inappropriate and proves how scary some encounters can be. Those who say the media is intrusive are correct to a certain degree as many reporters can go overboard when trying to get soundbites. But, when all you're trying to do is get one reply to a question and you get attacked for that alone, there's a problem. You never know how people will react and this is was one of those instances. The woman was arrested and charged with two counts of felony assault.

If you were the reporter, would you have done something differently? What's your take on this event?

Whether you're a reporter, blogger, author or other content creator, ProfNet can help you with your search for expert sources. You can send a query to tens of thousands of experts and PR agents, search the more than 60,000 profiles on ProfNet Connect, or get timely experts and story ideas by email -- all for free! Need help getting started? Email us at profnet@profnet.com 

Cindy told us how to use a smartphone to collect soundbites, do interviews, tips on which apps work best for mobile storytelling and much more.

Please follow @ProfNet and @editorev on Twitter for more information on future chats or check back right here on ProfNet Connect for details.

Our guest today is Cindy Rodriguez, a Journalist-in-Residence at Emerson College in Boston. Hi, Cindy! Thanks for being our guest. Cindy, please tell us a bit about yourself and what you do at Emerson.

So happy to be a part of this chat. At #EmersonCollege, all journalism students learn how to write and produce news stories across all platforms. I created a class called Covering Immigration this spring and we had a great semester. I’m teaching it again in the fall. This summer, I’m piloting a class called Creating a News Show for the Web. We’re going to have a blast.

That sounds exciting! Great classes, Cindy! What exactly is mobile journalism and does using small cameras in addition to smart phones still qualify under mobile?

Anything that you can take with you to produce journalism on the go is mobile. As long as you can upload it to your site (if you are one-person-banding it) or send it to your editor (if you work for a news outlet, it’s mobile).

Can any smart phone be used? Which do you recommend?

Yes. I use an iPhone because I’m a Mac user and find that it’s easier to stick with one platform.

Cindy, what about tablets? Can these also be used in place of smartphones?

iPads are great because you have more screen room to see what you are editing. You can take photos and video with it, too. You’ll need a tripod. There are many on the market. As for audio, you’ll need to wire it so you can get good sound. Put your iPad or iPhone on Airplane mode so you won’t get a call or notification sound in the midst of collecting audio. Also, turn off all apps running in the background so that you’re not wasting battery power. If you’re going to be out for several hours shooting video, you’ll want back up power. A recommendation: ht.ly/ltCK6

Placing your phone on airplane mode is a great tip especially when you can't redo the soundbite, especially with breaking news. How do you gather and generate attractive soundbites for a story using a smartphone?

On the cheap, use the built-in mic and remember it’s on the BOTTOM of the iPhone. Keep it about 8 inches from the person speaking. Make sure you don’t have distracting sounds in the distance. Having a mic will guarantee better sound. This one works well and it’s $40: ht.ly/ltDn0  It comes with the iRig Recorder app, which will allow you to edit on your phone or iPad.

Is there a way to remove any background noises such as sirens? Will these sounds drown out the soundbite?

Not really. You're best off redoing the interview. OR, better yet, get that person somewhere quiet if you want good soundbites.

I'm just thinking of getting the Chief of Police and then not being able to get him back if there's too much background noise and then you can't use the soundbite he gave. Cindy, to gather b-roll are you using the camera that's provided with the phone or are you using an app or a specific site?

There are so many options. You can use the camera and video recorder that comes with your phone. You MUST use a tripod for both, however. Keep in mind that you need to zoom with your feet. Get close to your subject. Do NOT use the zoom function. Zoom with your feet means you get close to your subject. Get up in their grill, as young people might say. For $50, ht.ly/ltF31  It's as good as it gets. If you don't have a tripod, place your phone on a solid plane. Make sure you shoot close, at eye level. If you want to go all out, this is more expensive option: www.thepadcaster.com  You will still need a tripod. That last tripod is specific for iPads.

Cindy, how do you conduct interviews with a smartphone?

I always tell my students to record in chunks. That way you can easily send the smaller files to yourself. This is especially important when shooting video. You want a bunch of short interviews so you can easily edit. Plus, it takes longer to transfer bigger files.

Are recording individual soundbites better than doing a complete interview in one take? Let me please clarify that I mean for both video and audio.

For audio, you can do it in chunks. I say hit stop and record every 15 minutes. For video, you should shoot your A-Roll (interview) in chunks as well. B-Roll will require lots of short (10-second) clips, shot in sequences. It makes it easier to edit video if you have shorter clips. Don't shoot everything. Shoot what you need, otherwise you will be in editing hell with a ton of video that you don't need.

Could you talk about use of social media as it relates to mobile journalism? Any sites you particularly like?

I love using HootSuite on a larger screen to get rich media (audio, video, pics, docs) out via tweets, but you can use any third-party Twitter app. If I'm using my phone, I use the native Twitter app because it's easier.

Can someone usually tell when watching a final report if someone has used a smart phone to get b-roll and soundbites? Is the quality affected?

Sometimes the sound can be a bit tin-y using an iPhone without a mic. If you hold it right and the conditions are good (no noise in background, no wind) you’ll be fine. Wind is your worst enemy. And if you must record outside, use a wind sock. You can make one: ht.ly/ltI4U Reiterating the need for a tripod. These are some cheap DIY options for an iPhone tripod: ht.ly/ltIhw Make sure you don't talk. Nod your head. Make sure your interviewee answers in a full sentence.

Cindy, when you have the elements needed, how do you edit your story?

You should have a script written with your SOTs and narration. This is a basic template I give my students: j.mp/videostoryboard  You will edit your story based on your script. Often you'll need to rework your narration to make it work. You don’t have to worry about time codes if you are producing it yourself. That way you can edit with scenes in mind. It will keep the viewer engaged. An audio story needs Nat sound. ht.ly/ltJDG  It's essential to collect and include in your story script. It's a great way to start a video piece as well.

You’ll need a laptop and the right cables to transfer your files to your laptop for editing.

You lose quality using an iPhone or iPad but when you are dealing with breaking news, quicker often is better. If you are adept at using a smart phone, it will sound professional. Practice! And, there is an iPhone film festival: www.iphoneff.com/ 

What are your favorite aps to work with?

For audio, use the Voice Memo app that comes with the iPhone. I also like Audio Boo. ht.ly/ltL0v It allows you to record, edit and publish.

What about for video?

Magisto, Splice and Qik are good for simple shooting and editing on an iPhone they are FREE.

Thanks to all of you on today's #ConnectChat and thanks to you, Cindy, for all of this great information! Thanks for being today's guest!

I want to give a shout out to @AugensteinWTOP, a pioneer MoJo. He's got great tips here: http://ht.ly/ltLTQ 

Whether you're a reporter, blogger, author or other content creator, ProfNet can help you with your search for expert sources. You can send a query to tens of thousands of experts and PR agents, search the more than 60,000 profiles on ProfNet Connect, or get timely experts and story ideas by email -- all for free! Need help getting started? Email us at profnet@profnet.com 

Our next #ConnectChat, "Intro to DIY Mobile Journalism" will feature our guest, Cindy Rodriguez (@CindyERodriguez), a Journalist-in-Residence at Emerson College in Boston. Cindy will tell us how to use a smart phone to collect soundbites, human-on-the-street video interviews, tips on which apps work best for mobile storytelling and more.

The chat will take place on Tuesday, May 28, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. EDT. To submit questions for Cindy in advance, please email profnetconnect@prnewswire.com or tweet your question to @profnet or @editorev.

We'll try to get to as many questions as we can. Of course, you can also ask your question live during the chat. To help you keep track of the conversation, we will use the #connectchat hashtag. Please use that hashtag if you are tweeting a question or participating in the chat.

If you can't make it to the chat, don't worry -- a transcript will be provided on ProfNet Connect the next day.

About Cindy Rodriguez

Cindy Rodríguez is currently a Journalist-in-Residence at Emerson College in Boston.
She is a web 2.0 journalist, meaning she knows how to shoot high-definition video, edit on Final Cut Pro, create podcasts using several software programs (she prefers sticking to open-source programs), and how to create audio slideshows. She’s adept at using social networking sites to engage audiences and promote stories and understands SEO optimization and viewer metrics.

Prior to immersing herself in all things digital, Cindy worked in the world of print as an award-winning journalist and former newspaper columnist. During her lengthy career, she parachuted into stories throughout the country, working on big breaking news stories, including covering the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and its aftermath, writing nuanced stories about how the attacks profoundly shaped American thinking and immigration policy. She covered race relations and cultural affairs forThe Detroit News, was a columnist and blogger at The Denver Post, and covered immigration issues for The Boston Globe.

Cindy has been published in several dozen publications including The New York Times, The Village Voice, Latina Magazine, ABCNews.com and Time.