Category: COM Studies Day

What were you doing when you started your internship in news ?

Leland – I would shadow, and learn the techniques of shooting video. I’m a one man band, I shoot, edit, write all of my own stuff. Just getting to be an observer really helped me out. Being a good intern is what lead to me hiring them. You work for free, but it pays you back later. I don’t think I would have a job without my internship.

What is the hardest thing about starting your own business? Advice?

Matt – For me, giving up the salary was hard but I had support. Makes sure you have enough income to cover your bills, and have a business plan in place. Networking is important, and by that I mean making contacts and maintain relationships.

Are there any classes you thought were useless but have proven to be beneficial?

Matt – Capstone! If you know how to interview well and you have your portfolio with you, you will be a strong candidate. I’m really grateful that I took that class.

Brenzy – Especially what I learned with resumes, I hire now and I don’t look at resumes

Leland – I would say research methods, I have to track people down and make them talk to me. Every now and then I have to crack open a book, and I’m glad I have that background. The things I learned in that classroom I use everyday. Broadcast Journalism and TV Aesthetics was extremely helpful. What really brings a story to life are the pictures you associate with it. There’s a format to it, and not knowing that will hurt you.

Kati – Being in social media, I think it really important how to find someone online. Your online contacts can lead to interviews. Every interview is good practice. Never turn down an interview. When Jennifer Chin is being nitty gritty and dissecting your grammar, PAY ATTENTION TO IT! I find myself doing it all the time. Solidify your writing skills. As much as most COM Studies Majors dislike it, math is important! So is excel!

Jessie – As much as I hated Research Methods, it came in handy when I was applying to my grant in Europe. I also took a class that gave me an intro to the adobe suite and that has really proven useful.

All of you taking COM 200 right now, it is important stuff!!

The Dress for Success Fashion Show was a success! Pictures to come a little later on, so stay tuned… but right now we are heading into our afternoon panel. Panelists are: Jessie Baker, Brezny Qualls, Leland Pinder, Kati Heffield, and Matt Vaughan.

Jessie’s Opening Advice: After graduation, just go for it! She dropped everything and moved across the globe. She’s worked as a photographer, event planner, and now she is an admissions officer!

Kait’s Opening Advice: She got to drive a cow around for her first job after graduation, and then she decided to head back to school to get her Master’s degree in Marketing. Now she works in a small marketing firm called Eleven Mass Media as a Social Media Marketing Specialist.

Leland’s Opening Advice: Leland works for News14 Carolina and he loves it!

Brenzy’s Opening Advice: It’s been two years and she is on her fourth job. Don’t worry if your first job out of college isn’t your dream job. Brenzy landed her dream job and then she realized how important the culture of a business is to her, so she kept looking! She found a culture she likes with The Select Group in Raleigh and she is the Internal Relationship Coordinator.

Matt’s Opening Advice: Matt had an internship with Star News which lead to him getting a job before he graduated! (Awesome!) He started moving up and then realized that he wasn’t going to make any money so he decided to flip and go for PR. He was able to work for one of the largest PR companies in Raleigh. ASK QUESTIONS and LEARN as much as you can! He then realized he wanted to work with small companies and started his own business. It’s been up for 2 and 1/2 years and it is the most rewarding thing he has done! Get into as many class as you can, know the right questions to ask, and have confidence!

Thank you to the panelists, and everyone who came out! The Dress for Success Fashion Show begins in just 10 minutes in the Warwick Ballroom… see you there!

How do you maintain professionalism at social events?

Consensus: There’s a time for work and there’s a time for play.

Panelists on goals they haven’t reached yet:

Ashlie: It’s about staying hungry.

Networking session to come! Stay tuned for pictures!

Is Spanish seeping into the market place?

Consensus: YES! It may be required for some positions soon!

What kind of technology and computer programs do you use in the workplace?

Excel, web design, coding.Do whatever you can with a computer, every job that you take you will think I never thought I would be doing this!

What was the transition like between graduating and getting on a career path?

Ryan: I was lucky because I had an internship. Your life after graduation begins before you graduate. Have a couple different plans, and hopefully one of them will work out.

Sarah: Maintaining the relationships you make at school will help, using any kind of network that you can.

Ryan: Use your opportunities to better yourself. Ask what you can do. Make sure your employer just knows that you’re a good employee.

Ashlyn: You’re going to have to do things you don’t want to do. You’re not going to start out making the money you want to make, I’m still not making the kind of money I want to make.

Ashlie: (The career path) sounds really glitzy and glamorous, but it’s not.

Eric: Take the upper level classes, that is where you get more meat and more substance. I use what I learned in Public Relations everyday, you never know what you will pick up!

How did you go about finding internships? How helpful did you find them?

Sarah: I highly recommend reaching out to Joe Browning. I hounded him about interning for him. I arranged my schedule so I could work for him. I showed him my writing and I was like I will be here in the fall whether you like it or not.

Consensus: Internships are worth it, pursue them and be persistent!

How do you balance family life and professional life?

Ashlie: I have a four year old and a two year old. I work full time and so does my husband. You just figure out a way to make it work. I have a huge support system around me.

Ryan: I definitely agree that you have to have a support system. Without my mom, I don’t know what we would do. You make it work, if something happens you make the best of it.

Ashlyn: I don’t even have time to date. I’ve just been so focused on my career, it hasn’t bothered me.

Group consensus: Flexibility and balance are key!

Looking back, would you still have taken the time off before entering graduate school or entered straight after undergraduate school?

Panelist consensus: The time off helps to prepare you for the work load. Too much time off makes it harder to get back into the swing of the school schedule.