Name: Anna Carbone Class Year: 2016 College Degree: BA in Communications and minor in Theatre Current Location: Westchester County, New York What was your first job out of college, and what is your current job (if they’re different)? Five days after I graduated from Marist, I moved to Washington, D.C. and worked as a White House Intern in the office of former First Lady Michelle Obama. I worked specifically on press and communications, having a hand in all-things media that the First Lady was involved in. There will never come a time when I’ll be able to express in full how grateful I feel for that experience! I am back in New York now and in the middle of transitioning. I’ve been working for a local health and safety based non-profit organization, and am now gearing up to start a new position with AOL’s MAKERS - a storytelling platform for the trailblazing women of today and tomorrow - as a digital and editorial fellow. What do you miss most about Marist? Marist is bursting with opportunities to engage in whatever it is that you love, so I miss its warm sense of community and excitement! (Please note that this is only a close second to the peanut noodles at Lola’s which is what I really miss more than anything). Tell us a little about your current job and how Marist prepared you for it. Marist prepared me to work at the White House most importantly by making me a creative and empathetic thinker. I brought with me to D.C. strong strategic, multimedia, writing, and leadership skills that I gained from my experiences inside and outside of the classroom and tapped into them every day. Of course, having the mentorship of another Marist Alumna, Kelsey Donohue, every day was the best preparation I could have asked for! What is your favorite part of your job now? Working with non-profit organizations has impassioned me ever since my earliest days as a girl scout. My favorite responsibility at my job is being able to mentor high school students who are implementing service projects that leverage media as a catalyst of social change. I really love working with younger students that are excited to use today’s tools to make an impact! What’s the best part about life after college? The worst? I think the best and worst parts of life after college are one and the same, because balancing new freedom is a joy and a burden! It’s liberating to finally have the chance to do whatever you’ve been itching to do with your degree, and independence is empowering. At the same time, your friends, mentors, and opportunities are harder to access when they’re not all confined in one space like they are on a campus. What’s one thing you wish someone had told you about post-grad life? What’s something surprising? I wish I’d known the importance of maintaining balance in post-grad life. If you have things that make you who you are outside of your work (a love of fitness, artistic endeavors, travel, volunteering, etc.) make sure you carve out time to keep those things in your life! It can seem surprisingly challenging at first in the midst of change, but I’ve learned that it’s possible. Do you have anything you’d like to tell current seniors as they prepare to graduate? Do your best not to compare where you are in your journey to where others are in theirs. Everyone finds success at different rates, and success holds a vastly different meaning for each person. You are safe, it is only change! What’s your dream job? Anything that allows me to have an impact through media!
0 Comments
Name: Jacquie Cosgrove Class Year: 2014 College Degree: Bachelor of Communications with a concentration in Digital Media & a minor in Theatre Current Location: NYC What was your first job out of college, and what is your current job? My first job out of college was as a Production Assistant for Good Housekeeping Magazine at Hearst Digital Media where I still currently work as a Video Producer. What do you miss most about Marist (or college in general)? What I miss most about college would have to be The HuMarists, the comedy club that I was a part of that allowed me to meet and work with some of the most unique, creative, and talented people that graced the campus. Having at first felt like I didn’t fit in at school, finding a club like The HuMarists provided me with a rich purpose on campus and truly made Marist a home. I also miss napping all willy-nilly like time is no object. *Warning* that is not how real life works! Tell us a little about your current job and how Marist prepared you for it. Being a Video Producer at Hearst Magazines, I have the opportunity to work with creative talent and shoot editorial content for magazines like Cosmopolitan and Esquire. I produce and edit videos to be published on their social media platforms as well as featured on site. I had one very influential professor at Marist who having worked in production himself provided me with some harsh truths of the industry as well as helpful tricks of the trade. Gems of knowledge I could’ve never learned in a textbook. Also, being part of a creative club like The HuMarists taught me practical leadership skills, and as a performer, gave me the priceless gift of a creative outlet. Having had that experience definitely helps me to succeed in my profession today. What is your favorite part of your job now?
My favorite part of my job is being on set shooting video and the creative flexibility I have. I was lucky enough to have the company I work for recognize my talents in production and performance, giving me the platform to work both behind the camera and in front of it. What’s the best part about life after college? The worst? I’d say the best part about life after college is the freedom of being truly independent. I like the feeling that I’m out here in the world supporting myself and pursuing my goals, having only myself to answer to at the end of the day. Also, the opportunity to work and live in New York City. I mean sure don’t get me wrong, you see some pretty weird stuff, but it’s buzzing with life and can feel like the center of the universe. I feel like the worst part about life after college would have to be coupled with what I named as the best. The feeling that you’re truly on your own without the safety net and generous slack offered by college life is a scary reality. The fear accompanied with the feeling that it’s time to get out there and live your life can be crippling, but it’s something that I like to look at as an exciting challenge. What’s one thing you wish someone had told you about postgrad life? What’s something surprising? I wish someone had given me a harsher warning about how competitive the work world can be. College has a unique way of making you feel like the world is your oyster, which it is, but you have to remember that it’s just as much everyone else’s oyster as it is yours. You truly have to put a lot of energy and hard work forward if you want to get that pearl. I believe that’s easier to do when you follow a path that you care about and have a genuine interest in. I’ve both won and lost out on professional opportunities that taught me this the hard way. Do you have anything you’d like to tell current seniors as they prepare to graduate? Remember to be grateful of the opportunities behind and ahead of you! To live in a part of the world where you were able to have gone to college and get an education, and the elevated position that puts you in now that you're entering the real world, is truly priceless. What’s your dream job? A big time movie star! Jk, that’s about as likely as a hole in one. But hey, people get those sometimes. My “dream job” isn’t so important to me as just continuing to follow the field that excites me, using my passions for my profession, and making a living creating content that I’m proud of. Name: Melissa Conlon Class Year: 2016 College Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a concentration in Advertising and a second major in Studio Art Current Location: Long Island, NY What was your first job out of college, and what is your current job? My current job is actually my first job! I am a Junior Producer for an experiential advertising agency, Grandesign Media. What do you miss most about Marist (or college in general)? In general, I miss my life being in one place. In college, your job was your academics so you went to class and since you live on campus there was no major commute every morning and night, and I lived with all my friends so it was never hard to hang out or hard to make time to do something fun in your free time or on the weekends. The work-personal life balance is a learning curve that takes some knack in the real world. Outside of the close knit proximity of living among friends and the Marist community, what I miss most about Marist specifically is the Hudson Valley. That view of the river while studying in the library, weekend trips to the Farmers Market and small-business shops in Rhinebeck, and all the hiking trails or historic places you could explore on an afternoon. I may classify myself as a city girl, but I think my heart is more in the open space of the outdoors. Tell us a little about your current job and how Marist prepared you for it. I chose Marist because of its commitment to a Liberal Arts education, and that expansive curriculum has yet to fail me—I doubt it ever will. Those core classes are worth it! Currently, as I mentioned I am a Junior Producer in the Experiential Media industry. This falls within the Out-of-Home Industry (think billboards, bus shelters, subway stations, etc.), but we’re niche in what we do. We create and deliver unique brand experiences. From fabricating custom pop-up shops, large scale PR stunts (our agency was recently featured in AdWeek for our work for King Kong Skull Island), buzzworthy prop installations, to custom event creation. So basically if you’re outside of your house and you run into something buzzworthy that is sponsored by a brand then it’s Experiential, and that’s what I do. Day to day I am usually diving deep into proposals and brainstorming creative never-been-done before ideas, and then once a client decides to move forward I switch gears to executing and bringing the idea to life. For a media that is quite new to the advertising industry, it requires having “a little knowledge about a lot,” as Joanna D’Avanzo, my advertising professor used to tell us, and that is where my Marist education prepared me. Because of my core classes, various extra-curricular opportunities, and travel abroad experiences, I am well versed in plenty of culture and schools of thought, so I’m always drawing inspiration and support from these for my proposals and projects. What is your favorite part of your job now? I absolutely love the unconventionality of my job. Yes, I go to an office almost every day (when I’m not on site at an activation) and answer endless amounts of emails, but the ideas I bring to life and the projects I work on are completely out-of-the-box. Grandesign is about doing the impossible and the never-been-done before, so I love the open-endedness of creativity that is involved, and that the work we do isn’t passive; people (consumers) actually interact with our work rather than just looking at a print ad, a commercial, or billboard. What’s the best part about life after college? The worst?
The worst part of life after college has definitely been no longer living among my best friends as I mentioned. The work-life balance is definitely a learning curve as I mentioned, so even though you’re not committed to homework, studying, or a September to May schedule, you take on bigger responsibilities that require time and effort outside of 9-5 and when you do have free time the people you want to see are no longer just in the next room or next door. The best part has been actually putting a paycheck to my passions! You spend four years studying, having internships and building a toolbox of skills and experience, so to have been hired in my industry right out of school has been super rewarding. In my first 6 months I’ve seen my own ideas come to life, and I feel like I’m on the right track. What’s one thing you wish someone had told you about post-grad life? What’s something surprising? I wish someone had told me that it gets better sooner than you think. Those first couple of weeks and maybe three months were like culture shock, and I felt lost and consumed with mourning leaving Marist and my comfort zone—I had obviously made it a home and had a great four years if I missed it that much. You feel like you’re out floating between being a college student and being an “adult.” However, once you settle into your new routine, you kind of realize it is not bad at all, and that you’re a “real” person with a sense of purpose and a place to be every day and a drive to contribute to something bigger. There is a feeling six months into post-grad that is along the line of, “I made it. I am here. Let's do this.” Surprising… how fast your student loans come due? (Haha just kidding…) Surprising would be how prepared you actually are, and that new grads are looked to because of your fresh ideas and perspective. You’ll keep learning from your coworkers and the world, but you know more than you think you do when you start working. But never stop looking to those beside you and above you. Ask questions and keep pushing yourself. Do you have anything you’d like to tell current seniors as they prepare to graduate? Just enjoy it—I’m truly envious of you! I won’t preach to you about how lucky you are but promise me in the middle of the craziness, the fun, and those last days, you'll take a moment to look around and take it all in; whether it be from the Adirondack chairs by the library on a random afternoon at sunset, as you descend the LT quad towards the green commencement area, or just sitting at your kitchen counter gossiping with your housemates after a normal day when you should be doing homework. Those last couple of weeks are moments you don’t get back but you’ll relive every day, so commit the moments to memory. What’s your dream job? Chief Creative Officer. I want to one day oversee my own creative team, endlessly collaborate with them and create something that makes others say, “I wish I thought of that.” If you don't know Darriel's name now, you will soon enough. As an English major with minors in Global Studies and Video Production, Darriel has thrived at Marist College and is now looking forward to the next chapter of her life, and the vast multitude of opportunities that lie ahead of her. Darriel, a senior from Bronx, NY, has paved a tremendous path for herself here at Marist with her involvement and high accolades, but her achievements here are only the beginning of where her intellect and determined nature will take her. Can you run us through everything that you’ve applied for and been awarded this year? This year, I applied to three graduate school programs. I was accepted into two programs. The first was the Sociology and Education Masters at Columbia’s Teachers College. The second program I was accepted to was New York University’s International Education Masters. I also applied to the Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Fellowship in South Africa. I am currently the first Marist student to be awarded a teaching fellowship for the South Africa program. In addition, I applied for a summer human rights fellowship called Humanity in Action. I am also the first Marist student to be awarded this phenomenal opportunity to spend one month in Europe. How did Marist play a role in this process? My support system at Marist College has grown immensely since my time as a freshman. I have my professors, mentors, and advisors to thank for that. Career Services has played a major role in my success as well. I have worked with Pat Taylor since my freshman year scouting various opportunities that have helped me plan ahead and figure out what I need to do in order to achieve these opportunities. I have taken on study abroad and internship opportunities that have aided in my ability to achieve all my goals. What made you choose South Africa for the Fulbright? I was inspired to pursue the ETA Fulbright in South Africa by the country’s rich culture, history, and especially its current efforts toward promoting racial equity and quality education in schools. Although my educational experience is not identical to that of South African youth, their experiences resonate with my own. For me, being a woman of color has made my educational experience difficult. Not only have I had to overcome stereotypes about my cultural background, but I have struggled with feeling equally connected to both my African and Latin heritage. I grew up in an English-speaking household; thus, many of the traditional values of my heritage were lost along with our native language. My hope is that, by exploring identity, I will promote a culturally inclusive classroom where I can both improve my understanding of South African identity in the post-apartheid period and share my own experience with becoming grounded in my hyphenated American identity. I want to encourage students to be grounded in their unique identities too through the use of the arts such as dance, art, poetry, and storytelling. Unfortunately, we live in a world where sometimes being different makes you the “other” and to be the other, you are often subject to discrimination and marginalization. My identity is one thing that I intend to defend along with the identity of others. South Africa is the perfect place to continue building my foundation as a leader and agent of social change. What motivated you to apply for so many post-grad opportunities? We don’t know what the future holds, so I have always been the kind of person that appreciated having a variety of options. Honestly, I would rather have a handful of opportunities to choose from than just one. I was definitely worried about where I would end up post-grad, like many seniors are. Fulbright was one post-grad opportunity that I have wanted since my freshman year at Marist. At the start of my application process, I only had a 14% chance of being selected. With that in mind, I was evidently inclined to apply to other opportunities, just in case things did not work out the way I intended. However, once I became a Fulbright semi-finalist, that number drastically changed. I later came across the Humanity in Action Fellowship, another opportunity that I had become passionate about. I decided to take chances with each opportunity and see where each would take me. I learned that it is better to try and fail than to not try at all. The anxiety of the waiting period was tortuous, but clearly worth it. Is there anything you can point to that shaped your college experience and led you to where you are now? I definitely think that being a first generation college student and the first Marist student to study abroad in a place like Western Samoa has definitely shaped my college experience. My study abroad experience showed me the value of becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable. I had homestays in Samoa, Fiji, and American Samoa and was even able to travel to Australia at the end of my program. I believe that I am who I am today because of my courage to take the road less traveled. I trust myself enough to take on opportunities that challenge me to become the best version of myself and expand my worldview. It has not all been easy, but each opportunity has been a blessing that has aided me in my growth as a young woman and as a leader. My internship last summer at Literacy Connections through the Marist Tarver Internship program is another experience that has shaped who I am today. I spent six weeks taking a 1-credit course titled "Non-Profits and Civic Engagement" while interning four days a week at a local non-profit teaching English to adult immigrants. This opportunity inspired me to continue making a difference in the lives of others. Growing up in the South Bronx, I was not awarded the same educational opportunities as other students. My passion for education equity and social justice stems from a very personal place. Each opportunity I pursue, in some way, aids me in discovering my truth while helping others discover theirs. What advice do you have for up and coming go-getter students seeking big opportunities? My advice is to never let an opportunity pass you by. It is better to try and fail than to never try at all. Life can be intimidating, people can be intimidating, but my advice is to always reinforce positive self-talk. Believe in yourself and your ability to achieve greatness. Be bold and be confident, but always remain humble. One of the most important things to do moving forward and with anything in life is to PLAN AHEAD! If there is an opportunity you want, do your research. Figure out what smaller opportunities you can go for that will bring you one step closer toward your goals. Remember that life is not a straight path. There will be bumps along the way, but remain patient and understand that this is a process, just like anything else. I was very discouraged in the past by my failure to obtain certain opportunities, but everything happens for a reason. Failure will just bring you closer to what is truly meant for you. Stay focused and stay hungry for opportunity. What do you see yourself doing in the future? What’s your dream job? During my senior year of high school, I was awarded the Gates Millennium Scholarship. This is a 10-year scholarship that provides students with the opportunity to receive their Undergraduate, Masters, and Doctoral degrees for free. Within the next few years, I will be working toward completing my Masters and Doctoral degrees. This fall, I will start a Masters program at the school of my choosing (tbd!) before taking a year off to pursue my Fulbright fellowship. Later, I hope to complete a Doctoral Degree in Education Policy. My mission as an agent of change is to serve communities like my own that experience a multitude of educational injustices. I look forward to working collegially with forward thinkers in the future to develop innovative strategies for achieving education equity in the years to come. As a future policy maker, I seek to inspire others to begin bridging the gap between current policies and the ways in which their implementation have different impacts on the lives of diverse student populations. As I said before, we do not know what the future holds. All I can hope is that with each day that passes, I continue to grow into exactly who I am meant to be, even if the path takes me places I never intended it to. Name: Jennifer Keen Class Year: 2016 College Degree: Communications (concentration in Radio/TV/Film + PR) Current Location: Brooklyn, NY What was your first job out of college, and what is your current job? My first job was a PA (production assistant) position at VH1 Multiplatform Programming and Production. I started the summer after graduation and I’m still here. What do you miss most about Marist (or college in general)? I miss the little moments of familiarity that occur when living on a small campus. No matter where you go, you run into a friend, classmate, professor, etc. who you can chat with. Even if it’s not on campus, you see people grocery shopping, at the train station, grabbing lunch, or at the bar. I don’t think there’s a community quite like that after college. Tell us a little about your current job and how Marist prepared you for it. At my current job I manage the site pages for various VH1 shows, transcode full episodes, and produce/edit short form content for VH1’s digital platforms. I think Marist prepared me for this job because the school strongly encouraged internships. I commuted to NYC for three semesters of college and that was extremely tiring, expensive, and difficult… but it prepared me for the craziness of television production. By the time I started working full time, I already had over a year of first-hand experience. There weren’t many surprises. What is your favorite part of your job now? I love having round table meetings for a series that involve every department. There are so many facets to the industry that I didn’t have access to before and now I get to witness a series come to life from the early stages of development to the season finale. What’s the best part about life after college? The worst? I think that my new independence is both the best and the worst part about post-grad life. I love my cute (and TINY) apartment in Brooklyn, and the endless possibilities that NYC has for spending my free time. On the flip side, I have to stay organized with paying bills, taking care of my place, and staying in touch with the friends and family I no longer live near. I definitely feel the impact of my decisions more than ever before. What’s one thing you wish someone had told you about post-grad life? What’s something surprising? Honestly, I was surprised by how much fun it is. I thought that the end of college meant the end of having fun. I still am so close with my friends from Marist and have even made new connections with people who’ve also moved to NYC. You definitely don’t have the same amount of free time that college allows, but your social life does not suffer. If anything, you’re not a broke college student anymore and you and your friends can enjoy treating yourself, guilt free. Do you have anything you’d like to tell current seniors as they prepare to graduate? Networking is key! I work at VH1 with 4 other Red Fox ladies, most of whom I knew at some point through PRSSA or MCTV. I got my first internship at Viacom by reaching out to an alumnus who gave me my first tour of Marist and later on got my job through that connection. I used to think that networking was this super awkward/formal situation, but in reality you’re probably going to get a lead on a job by someone you have a friendly and personal connection with. What’s your dream job? I want to be an editor! My biggest dream is to work on an Emmy award-winning show. |
AuthorInformation on the latest professional development trends and advice, plugs for Marist College Center for Career Services events and initiatives, and stories from your Marist peers. Content is produced by Marist students for Marist students. Categories |