Is grad school today a place to learn or to hide?

Or is it a great place to experiment with new ideas, new techniques and pick up new skills?

This morning's guest on mediabistro.com's Morning Media Menu is doing all of the above.

It's worth a few minutes to listen to Vadim Lavrusik who has started grad school after experience as a contributing writer at Mashable.com, a contributor for Poynter Online's E-Media Tidbits, and a journalist who has written for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, The Minnesota Daily and the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

He discusses how grad school is a good place to explore the new journalistic landscapes as well as traditional issues.

On his blog yesterday, Vadim explained:

I personally think that journalists have an opportunity to not only gain valuable skills at journalism school, but also experiment in ways that they might not be able to in the workforce.

You also can follow Vadim Lavrusik on Twitter.

Mediabistro hosts intro to social media

Mediabistro.com is holding an online introduction to social media course, to help you expand your reach through networking sites such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Flickr, and YouTube.
The course, being held on Wednesday evenings for four weeks July 29 - August 26, will help journalists learn the ins and outs of social media, and the tie ins that using social media can have to advance career opportunities.
Topics of the online course include web 2.0, blogs, wikis, podcasts, RSS feeds, viral video, and social media news releases.
View all the details here.

Are you thinking mobile?

With talk that mobile is the next platform for content and marketing, MediaBistro.com has decided to hold another Think Mobile event in New York, September 16.
Speakers will explain how a mobile strategy can help you connect with your audience through social media apps and expand your reach online at the event.
The panel line-up includes Marco Argenti vice president of media for Nokia, vice president of emerging media for Bravo Media, Aimee Viles and executive editor of PCMag.com, Dan Costa.
Presenters will discuss what’s in store for mobile, where the opportunities will be in the next decade, and how to make money as content moves to mobile devices.
See more information here.

EBI looking for biz journalist

Elsevier Business Intelligence (EBI) in Rockville, MD is looking to hire a temporary Reporter/Editor for The Rose Sheet, a trade journal for the cosmetics, personal-care and fragrance industries.

Weekly coverage is business and regulation-oriented including interpreting the significance of market developments and regulatory actions in the U.S. and abroad for an industry audience.

Coverage areas also could include legislative activity, product launches and financial updates from companies.

This temporary full time assignment requires a three month duration based in the Rockville, MD or New York City office.

For more information on their Mediabistro.com posting here.

Fast Money's Macke no longer at CNBC

Jeff Macke, contributor to CNBC's Fast Money, is no longer with the network, according to Mediabistro's TVNewser.
After a controversial appearance from Macke May 19, many speculated he would be removed from his normal role on Fast Money, but Macke had several more appearances on the show before his time at Fast Money ended.
CNBC Spokesman Brian Steel announced Macke's departure today from the network, saying:

"Jeff is no longer with CNBC. We wish him all the best, and we thank him for his quality contributions."

To view the story, click here.

What do you think of Macke's departure from CNBC's Fast Money? Comment

Reuters and SABEW team up for discussion session

It comes as no surprise that our industry is changing.

To help prepare for the needs of the future, Reuters and the Society of American Business Editors and Writers are teaming up to host a discussion with some of the top producers in business journalism.

The dicussion, being held Tuesday, June 30, will include the following panelists: 

Chrystia Freeland, US managing editor, Financial Times
Larry Ingrassia, business editor, The New York Times
Sree Sreenivasan, dean of student affairs & new media professor, Columbia Journalism School
Laurel Touby, founder & CEO, Mediabistro.com

The discussion will be moderated by
Betty Wong, global managing editor, Reuters.

Get full details here.

SmartMoney editor leads writing course

SmartMoney senior editor, Beverly Goodman will teach an online course on Mediabistro.com next month to help journalists hone their business writing skills.
The four week financial writing course, being held June 2- June 30, will offer an interactive experience for writers to achieve timely and original business angles in these challenging economic times.
Find complete course details here.

Rovell on the economics of sports

Today Mediabistro has a podcast with Darren Rovell, the sports business reporter for CNBC.
Rovell talks about how the economic crisis is affecting attendance, steroids and why business executives don't want to sit behind home plate at the new Yankee stadium.
To check out the podcast click here.

New biz writers for TheAtlantic.com

Mediabistro reports that TheAtlantic.com has added a new line-up of writers on its site.
The new staff includes some key business reporters:
* Author and business journalist Daniel Akst
* Scientist, biotech entrepreneur and investor William Haseltine
* Writer on energy and environment Lisa Margonelli
* Historian of technology and culture Edward Tenner
For the full list click here.