Master’s Alumni Profile: Carson Crestohl G’24
Newhouse Master’s Program: Public Relations
Current Position: Coordinator, Content & Community, Golf Canada
How did you land your current position?
I spent a lot of time on cover letters and tailoring my resume to the position and maintained good relationships with past employers who recommended me for the role. Before the final interview, I was required to complete a mock content plan and utilized many of the skills I learned at Newhouse as well as my knowledge of Golf Canada to go above and beyond.
What positions have you held previously?
I have been a communications intern at the New York State Golf Association, an athletic communications intern at Syracuse Athletics, part of the Syracuse Hillel and an editorial and marketing associate at Matchplay Golf Marketing.
What is an average day like for you on the job?
I begin by responding to inquiries on social media, develop graphics and video content, develop content plans focused on upcoming tournaments, a season or off-season.
How do you feel Newhouse prepared you for your current position?
My graphic design and video production classes were extremely helpful and allowed me to get confident using content creation tools prior to starting. From a campaign perspective, Newhouse provided me with the knowledge required to set and measure goals, as well as to utilize paid, earned, shared and owned (PESO) assets in developing content.
What are the moments of your career so far that have been the most important?
Working the 2023 RBC Canadian Open and being offered the full-time position with Golf Canada.
What unique features encouraged you to apply to your graduate program?
Going to graduate school in the United States with a major college sports program was always of appeal. I also always had an interest in working for the Syracuse Athletics department, which certainly seemed as if there were opportunities for students to get involved with ‘Cuse Athletics. In addition, Newhouse provided a sports media emphasis, which for someone who was coming from a sports background and hoping for a sports future, was a major point in its favor. In addition, the Newhouse reputation and alumni network was a significant consideration.
Did Newhouse expose you to new aspects of your respective field?
Absolutely. At first, I was primarily interested in communications and marketing, but my program helped open my eyes to both the content and agency spaces. In my graduate internship with the New York State Golf Association, I worked with content in a professional setting for the first time and discovered a passion for it.
Did you take advantage of the Newhouse Career Development Center?
Yes, I made an appointment when I arrived and made sure they were well aware of my interests. I also was able to access the alumni network, which was a very helpful feature for networking opportunities.
What are some of the obstacles and misconceptions that students should be aware of when it comes to your field?
Do not discount the importance of leveraging your past and current opportunities to assist with the job search. Leaving a good impression is paramount in case a potential employer comes calling. Also, writing is very different in an academic versus a professional setting, especially in marketing communications. Trim out all the fat.
What advice do you have for current or incoming students?
Never underestimate the importance of building connections with professors. They are constantly getting requests from hiring managers regarding students they would recommend. The same goes for your peers, you never know when they might be in a position to hire or recommend you.
Master’s Alumni Profile: Tonia Michele Davis G’22
Tonia Michele Davis G’22
Newhouse Master’s Program: Broadcast and Digital Journalism
Current Position: Meteorologist at WBRC Fox 6 News
How did you obtain your current position?
My path to WBRC started in the summer of 2022, when I met WBRC FOX6 News anchor Steve Crocker and news director Shannon Isbell at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Las Vegas. I approached them about my interest in pursuing my meteorology career post-graduate school and I wanted to move to Birmingham to be closer to my fiancé (now husband) and family. I attended the convention thanks to Syracuse University and my position as NABJ SU chapter treasurer.
What’s an average day like for you on the job?
I kick off my day before 8 a.m., hitting the gym, tackling schoolwork, handling house chores and caring for my dog, Mocha, before my ‘9 to 5’ routine begins. Then, it’s time to head to WBRC where my shift runs from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Friday. Upon arrival, I dive into assembling the day’s forecast, analyzing forecast models and collaborating with my weather producer to fine-tune our 6:30 p.m. weather show.
I kick off the 4 p.m. newscast, delivering the forecast every six minutes. After a brief dinner break at 5 p.m., I return to anchor the 6:30 p.m. weather show. By 7 p.m., I’m recording forecasts for gas station pumps and doctor’s offices, along with managing custom social media updates and push alerts for our WBRC WX app users. By 8:30 p.m. or so, I begin prepping for the 9 p.m. newscast which involves building graphics and refreshing my makeup before going live again every six minutes to provide the latest weather updates. By 10 p.m., I’m wrapping up tasks, sending out updates, responding to emails and planning for the next day. Around 11 p.m., it is time to head home and prepare to do it all over again!
How do you feel Newhouse prepared you for your current position?
Newhouse prepared me for my current position by instilling a strong work ethic and the power of consistency and discipline. Through managing heavy workloads and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, I have been able to prioritize tasks effectively. In terms of hard skills, Newhouse equipped me with a comprehensive toolkit for multimedia journalism. I learned how to speak, shoot, edit and write compelling stories, which made me a well-rounded candidate when I applied to WBRC. For instance, I was taught video editing on software like Adobe Premiere, a transferable skill that I now use when editing on CapCut. This skill has allowed me to produce polished content like news packages under tight deadlines for Weather Extra. My editing skills have also allowed me to produce daily content on my social media platforms where I now have over 20 thousand followers combined.
Additionally, Newhouse emphasized the development of soft skills where I learned to focus on progress rather than perfection, understanding that continuous improvement is key to personal and professional growth. Lastly, Newhouse reinforced the importance of time management where I have developed the ability to juggle multiple responsibilities without compromising quality. Overall, the combination of hard and soft skills I acquired at Newhouse has played a significant role in my ability to excel in my current position at WBRC.
Did Newhouse open your eyes to new professions or aspects of your field?
Yes! Newhouse broadened my horizons and led me to unexpected paths, including joining the military. Before attending Newhouse, I never imagined myself pursuing a military career. However, the confidence and leadership skills I gained during my time there encouraged me to explore opportunities outside of my comfort zone.
What unique features of your graduate program drew you to it?
The first feature of the graduate program that caught my eye was the duration of it. The 13-month program was exactly what I needed, offering a quick pathway into the workforce. It provided everything I needed to know for my big-girl job at the number one station in Birmingham, Alabama, at WBRC. Plus, I was able to have other experiences while at SU like working for Forbes as a paid media intern, serving in organizations on campus like NABJ and Newhouse President, getting a temporary job at KOB4 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and networking with like-minded individuals.
Did the Newhouse Career Development Center aid you?
While at SU, I wore many hats as I tried to get my foot in a little bit of everything to seek out my passions. I worked for Forbes as a paid media intern. I also served in organizations on campus like NABJ SU as treasurer and was elected Newhouse president. Additionally, I believe I used the Newhouse Career Development center to get my on-campus job in the financial aid building. I worked as an employee in the office of the financial literacy department guiding students on their financial literacy projects and overseeing the social media page.
What are some obstacles or misconceptions about your field?
Graduate school at SU is challenging. You will need to pace yourself and have clear goals daily so you can stay on top of the heavy workload. There will be late nights and hard days, but it is preparing you to be your best self, and you will look back at your journey and be proud. One of the biggest misconceptions is that graduate school gives you more freedom than undergraduate school, so you will have more free time to work other jobs, hang out, etc. This is true only to an extent. There were courses in graduate school that took so much of my time that I had to take off from work just to get my school stuff done. Be careful how much you take on outside of school, because the workload can be a lot.
What moments in your career have been most exciting or defining thus far?
My most exciting career moment was working in New Mexico. I worked there for three months. I traveled and explored through the state while my housing, car and flights were paid for by the news station. A highlight of my career and one that still feels like a dream.
What advice do you have for current or incoming students?
Enjoy life’s journey. Every step, every hour, every day, every week, and every year you get out of life is valuable. There will be storms, but they will pass. So, embrace the hard moments too. Newhouse is such a magical place if you view it that way. I highly recommend taking Olivia Stomski‘s courses. She will bring influential people into her classes to speak about life and work and to motivate and inspire you. Take advantage of those moments too and ask questions.
And always remember this from your favorite meteorologist (me)…to #fightthestorm
Master’s Alumni Profile: Courtney Terr G’22
Courtney Terr G’22
Newhouse Master’s Program: Advanced Media Management
Current Position: Sales Planner, Pricing and Inventory CBS Network Sales, Paramount
How did you obtain your current position, and what positions did you hold before it?
I had applied to the sales planner position through the Paramount job portal while I was finishing the summer capstone project. At the time, I did not have any connections to the company, but the strength of my academic and internship experience helped me to land the role shortly after I left Syracuse.
Before I worked at Paramount, I was a director of audience development co-op intern for the United States Travelers League. I obtained this role by working with Professor Sean Branagan and the Newhouse Startup Garage. The program connects students with media and tech startups so that they can provide the expertise they gain from their coursework to companies in need of their insight. As an undergraduate, I was an audience development intern for NBC News, which I obtained after having an interview on campus with one of the NBC recruiters. I was also a media planning intern for RPM, a boutique ad agency that markets live entertainment in New York City. I completed this internship while participating in the Newhouse NYC program when I was an undergraduate student.
What’s an average day like for you on the job?
There is not really an average day as a sales planner. There are weekly deliverables and reports where I track the performance of CBS Primetime shows and how they are impacting clients’ sales plans; however, the majority of my work is based on demographic reads and plan edit requests I receive from account managers and account executives. Additionally, whenever there is a change in the airing schedule, my team and I work to figure out new estimates for how a show could potentially perform in its new timeslot. The busiest time of year for me is during the upfront season in the summer, where I am working with clients to plan out where all of their purchased ad spots will air throughout the upcoming season.
How do you feel Newhouse prepared you for your current position?
My classroom experience played a major role in preparing me for my position here at CBS. My academic coursework, both in my undergraduate and graduate studies in the television industry provided a baseline understanding of how television advertising worked. Therefore, I was able to dive in headfirst and assist my team during the hectic upfront season. Outside of that, courses like Advanced Media Business, Trendspotting in Digital Media, Topics in Advanced Media Management and New Ventures in Media helped me better learn how to identify emerging technology trends and how they could affect my industry. While linear television may not seem like it is on the forefront of new technology advancement, there are changes in the way television audiences are being measured, and I must be in the know of what adjustments are being made and how they could potentially change how we build our advertising plans for clients and determine the success of our shows.
Did Newhouse open your eyes to new professions or aspects of your field you may have not considered when applying?
As a part of our Topics in Advanced Media Management course, we had a week-long immersion trip to New York City where we heard from program alumni and toured businesses that aligned with our coursework. This trip helped me gain a better understanding of what career options were available to me after graduating. The advanced media management program provided me with a versatile degree that I could have applied to careers in social media marketing, search marketing, brand management, UI/UX design and more.
What unique features of your graduate program drew you to it in the first place?
After completing my dual enrollment program at Whitman and Newhouse for my undergraduate degree in marketing and advertising, I knew I wanted to pursue a career where I would be working at the intersection of data analytics and marketing strategy. However, I wanted to better fine tune my skills in those areas. I came across the advanced media management program and liked how I would not only be able to perfect my search marketing and strategy skills, but also develop a better understanding of how emerging technologies drive innovation in the media landscape.
Did the Newhouse Career Development Center aid you?
While I was a graduate student, I worked as a director of audience development co-op intern for the United States Travelers League (USTL), a website dedicated to publishing content that would encourage readers to travel to all 50 states. I had taken Professor Sean Branagan’s classes in Trendspotting in Media and New Ventures in Media. He had connected me with the Newhouse Startup Garage group who then connected me to the CEO of USTL. As the director of audience development, I was able to take my coursework knowledge of search engine optimization and social media marketing and apply it to my internship. I conducted an exploratory analysis of the company’s current strategy and then implemented a strategy to improve their outreach and engagement with followers. It was an incredible opportunity to have work experience and apply what I was learning at Newhouse to my job.
What are some obstacles or misconceptions about your field that students ought to be aware of?
I had thought of ad sales as solely a salesperson department. I had assumed that the only roles in an ad sales department at a major media organization were the account managers and executives who were selling ad spaces to advertising agencies. While there are certainly plenty of client-facing roles in the ad sales department at Paramount, there are also plenty of other roles in areas like research, strategy and branded content marketing. It is important to pay attention to specific jobs that you are interested in rather than focus on what department they are located under.
What moments in your career have been most exciting or defining thus far?
One of the most exciting and challenging moments of my career so far has been coming up with audience estimates for a brand-new fall primetime schedule after the Writers Guild of America went on strike. I had just recently joined the primetime group after working in the daytime/ late night group, so I was still getting used to the role. Suddenly, we were tasked with determining how many people would potentially be tuning in to a new slate of programming, including shows that have never aired on CBS, right before the upfront season! With the support of my team, I was able to better understand my role and best determine how to figure out which demographics would likely be tuning into an episode of the U.K. version of “Ghosts” versus a repeat of “Blue Bloods.” Every day was an exciting challenge with updates to the schedule being made up until the fall 2023 season started, and it helped me learn what it takes to accurately predict an audience of a CBS show.
What advice do you have for current or incoming students?
Take advantage of every opportunity available to you, especially if it is an internship opportunity. My time applying what I learned in Newhouse to the real world has helped me to fine tune and better understand what I have learned, and it has helped me be a more valuable asset to my team.
I would also recommend using your electives to take a course in an area of interest to you. I had used my electives to take a course in Television Programming and Audience Analysis and Critical and Historical Perspectives on Television, Radio and Film. Even though these courses were not directly related to the overall advanced media management program, they helped me gain expertise in an industry I was interested in having a career in. Ultimately, the knowledge I obtained while taking these courses about the overall television industry as well as how advertisements are sold in a TV market provided me with an edge in my interview process that helped me to land my job at Paramount.
I have to thank the incredible professors I’ve had at Newhouse while being a grad student, including but not limited to Professor Adam Peruta, Professor Sean Branagan, Professor Ed Hersh, Professor Bob Bierman, Professor Bob Thompson, and Professor Shelly Palmer. My time in their classes learning about the emerging media landscape and the television industry has been so beneficial to my career thus far, and the support they have provided me both while I was a student and after graduating when it comes to my academic and professional endeavors have been so greatly appreciative.
Master’s Alumni Profile: Jordan Bonaparte G’22
Jordan Bonaparte G’22
Newhouse Master’s Program: Advertising
Current Position: Sales Planner, NBCUniversal, New York, NY
How did you obtain your current position, and what positions did you hold before it?
While in graduate school, I was always looking for the next step. I decided to apply to the International Radio and Television Society Fellowship which was sent to me via email by Professor James Tsao. I made many connections through the fellowship and was able to intern with Hearts & Science as a paid search associate on their AT&T account. Once my internship concluded, I was able to use my fellowship connections to obtain employment at NBCUniversal working within ad sales.
What’s an average day like for you on the job?
No day is the same here at NBCU. I work alongside different advertising agencies to ensure that clients’ commercials are being advertised on our NBCU properties (USA, Syfy and Universal Kids). I maintain commercial deals post sale and make sure all commercial spots air when needed within the year. I also work with different departments internally such as our inventory, finance and sales operation teams.
How do you feel Newhouse prepared you for your current position?
Newhouse definitely prepared me for the advertising world, specifically with the different terminology and jargon learned throughout the program. Prior to attending Newhouse, I had no idea what an agency was. While onboarding at NBCU, I was already familiar with some of the terms used due to the coursework that I went through while attending Newhouse. Learning how to pitch is something I also learned from Newhouse that has helped me with interviewing and presenting in front of different agencies and internal partners. In addition to terminology and jargon, Media Math is something that I was able to learn in classes taught by Professor Beth Egan and it is something that I still use today.
Did Newhouse open your eyes to new professions or aspects of your field you may have not considered when applying?
Newhouse opened my eyes to the endless possibilities of opportunity within the media field. I was not as knowledgeable when it came to media and advertising terminology prior to attending Newhouse. I knew I loved media but was not sure which road I wanted to take when it came to advertising. The advertising program prepared me for real-world scenarios that clients were facing post-COVID. It was during this time where I figured out that I may want to work on the entertainment side, specifically in sales.
What unique features of your graduate program drew you to it in the first place?
Newhouse being the top communication school in the country is what immediately drew my attention to the program. Also meeting people in the media field in NYC, you are bound to run into a Newhouse grad. That should say a ton about the production of media powerhouses Newhouse produces. Having done prior research, I knew that the advertising program took a hands-on approach in ensuring that students had the opportunity to work with real clients and quite frankly, the best of the best. Working with clients such as Snickers, Neiman Marcus and FOX Sports made the work enjoyable. While the program is an accelerated one-year program and can be deemed rigorous, I knew that I had made the right choice attending this institution.
Did the Newhouse Career Development Center aid you?
The Career Development Center would always send emails for different job opportunities and internships that would catch my eye. I applied to so many internships for the summer since I had to complete my capstone, and emails were sent daily for opportunities to apply. For any students interested in internships and job placements, I would definitely encourage you to walk by the Career Development Center. They are there to help and guide you to get you where you want to be!
What are some obstacles or misconceptions about your field that students ought to be aware of?
Within the media world, there are many obstacles you may face. At times work can be extremely busy, and you are sometimes required to work longer hours than expected. However, you are well compensated for your time and effort. Especially here at NBCU, food is always being brought in for late nights (for free!) and overtime is always a plus. Some may be worried about the money while first starting out (I know I was!), but the money will come. One thing about the media field is you can move up fairly quickly and make a great salary. The first few years may be tough, but climbing the ladder will be rewarding in the end. A Newhouse degree will definitely give you an advantage when applying to jobs at well-known agencies and entertainment networks.
What moments in your career have been most exciting or defining thus far?
Working with clients that I am familiar with daily has made my job enjoyable. The connections I’ve made in this industry have been nothing short of amazing. Thinking about my journey from undergrad to graduate school, and now working at a top media company, the hard work paying off has definitely been the most defining moment thus far. While I’ve only been at NBCU for a little over a year, I’m sure that more exciting moments will be coming my way.
What advice do you have for current or incoming students?
- Not knowing exactly what you want to do is okay! Newhouse professors will guide you in the right direction. Take advantage of office hours and the abundance of resources available at your disposal.
- Make as many connections as you can! You will thank yourself for reaching out and establishing these relationships in the future.
- Impostor syndrome can be normal; don’t let it consume you and know that you are here and were chosen for a reason.
Master’s Alumni Profile: Claribel Rivas G’20
Claribel Rivas G’20
Newhouse Master’s Program: Magazine, News and Digital Journalism
Current Position: Social Media Manager, PBS Digital Studios in Arlington, VA.
How did you obtain your current position, and what positions did you hold before it?
In November 2020, I was offered the Gwen Ifill fellowship at Washington Week where I managed the Instagram account which the team was really interested in growing. After my fellowship was over in June 2021, I was offered a position as a senior social media manager for the National Digital Content team at WETA. There, I worked with the digital content team and producers to come up with social media strategies for campaigns, identify best practices to build viewership across broadcast and online programs, as well as oversee the social accounts for WETA programs. In December 2021, I was offered a social media manager position at PBS Digital Studios, working my way up to the PBS headquarters in Arlington, VA.
What’s an average day like for you on the job?
PBS Digital Studios is a network of educational digital shows distributed on YouTube. The show topics range from STEM to music and arts. I start my day looking through any messages from the producers we work with and see if there is anything I need to review for the day. Some of the things I would review would be rough cuts of social videos, final cuts of social videos, social scripts or social assets that our show producers send us to help promote their series. Once I go through the reviews and approve them, I head over to our social calendar and see what is scheduled to be published for the day. I try to block time on my calendar for up to two hours to focus solely on publishing. Once all the posts are scheduled for the day, I attend any meetings on my schedule. Usually, our meetings are to catch up with producers and check in on how the show is going. We talk through episode ideas, social video ideas, episode schedules or any other agenda items. Once meetings are done, I usually have a few more posts that need to be published so I’ll go back and see what I’ve missed and make sure they are good to go. I also take time in the afternoon to review/moderate our comment section and respond/flag to anything that needs our attention.
How do you feel Newhouse prepared you for your current position?
Newhouse prepared me for my current position by providing a wide range of classes that helped build my skillset. From magazine writing classes to video production classes, I graduated with essential design and creative skills that would be useful for any job. Since graduating, I have used almost all of the skills I learned at Newhouse. I’ve had to manage websites, create graphics, edit social videos on Adobe, present in front of an audience and use my storytelling skills in all aspects of writing and design. Newhouse taught me so many great real-world professional skills, and I felt more than ready to enter my career after graduation.
Did Newhouse open your eyes to new professions or aspects of your field you may have not considered when applying?
After graduation, I was certain I was going to go straight into reporting for a digital magazine. However, the skills that I learned at Newhouse were transferable for a variety of different jobs. Social media was already an interest of mine, and I didn’t realize that there was more to being a social media manager than just posting on Instagram. Although publishing and managing our social calendar is a big part of my job, I also act as an editorial/social lead for some of our YouTube shows. I work with producers to craft entertaining and educational stories through social media video, while also ensuring each video meets our editorial standards and expectations. Creative storytelling is a big part of what I work on at Digital Studios and Newhouse was able to prepare me for a role that entailed the skills needed for this.
What unique features of your graduate program drew you to it in the first place?
What drew me to the magazine, news and digital journalism program was the Newhouse Diversity News Fellowship. This fellowship was granted to two students interested in the program who majored in something other than journalism in undergrad. The fellowship seemed like a great opportunity for someone like me who was interested in pivoting to reporting, especially since I had a growing interest in international reporting. Syracuse was the only school I applied to for my graduate degree, and I wanted to take a chance at being accepted into the fellowship program. I was selected as a semi-finalist and was able to receive a full-tuition scholarship to attend Newhouse! Since the program was only a little over a year long, I quickly applied to positions that would help make my resume stronger and enhance my skills, as well as trying new journalism avenues that I didn’t get to do during undergrad. I interned at NewsChannel 9 as a show intern, worked at Orange Television Network as the Promotions Manager, and even tried some broadcast roles as a bilingual reporter for Noticias on CitrusTV. There were so many great opportunities on and off campus.
Did the Newhouse Career Development Center aid you?
The Newhouse Career Development Center was helpful in connecting me with alumni that were working in positions I was interested in, as well as in the city I was hoping to move to after graduating. There were many classes where alumni would come speak to students and have an hour to network, exchange contacts and allow us to ask questions. It was all really inspiring to me to hear from alumni that were in my shoes not too long ago, and now able to share their success with students. It made me hopeful for the future.
What are some obstacles or misconceptions about your field that students ought to be aware of?
Working in journalism can be incredibly fun and rewarding. There are many opportunities to be in rooms with amazing people, travel across the country and help give a voice and platform to people who are often underrepresented or overlooked. However, even after graduating with a master’s degree, I quickly realized that I wasn’t going to start off with the most amazing salary, or even a senior-level role. Before attending Newhouse, I already had a full-time job and was on my way to moving up the ladder. Once I graduated from Newhouse, I had to pretty much start over as an intern again and work my way up. Although I worked my way up pretty quickly, I learned that sometimes you have to take a few steps back to get into the position and field that you want to be in. Only now, with a degree from Newhouse, you are much smarter, wiser, better connected and have a strong skillset to take on any role.
What moments in your career have been most exciting or defining thus far?
Every day I get to work with some of the smartest creators on YouTube. It is so cool to see how a video idea comes to life from start to finish and knowing that I was involved in part of the process makes me really proud. One of the most exciting moments was when I attended the YouTube conference Vidcon in Los Angeles and represented PBS Digital Studios. I had dreamed of attending Vidcon ever since I was 12 years old. It’s an opportunity to meet famous YouTube creators and hear their success stories. My parents couldn’t afford to send me, so I would just watch the recaps on YouTube. Being able to attend years later, as a representative for PBS and networking with other industry professionals felt like a full-circle moment. I felt like I was making my younger self so proud!
Another moment is connecting with Syracuse students at Newhouse DC! I had connected with Cheryl Brody Franklin, and she offered me the chance to be on the alumni panel for Syracuse students spending a semester in DC. It was an exciting experience because I also remember being a student, eager to learn from alumni, and now I get to share some of my knowledge! Another full circle moment.
What advice do you have for current or incoming students?
Really take advantage of your time at Syracuse and try new things! Even try things that you think you won’t enjoy and see if you can prove yourself wrong. It may surprise you! I would definitely recommend taking Corey Takahashi’s class in multimedia journalism. It really helped me think outside the box and learn how to be a creative storyteller through a bunch of different mediums. The skills I learned in that class come up in my professional life every day. From storyboarding, to identifying b-roll, to scripting, this class prepares you for any creative role you may have upon graduation.
Master’s Alumni Profile: Adrianna Adame G’22
Adrianna Adame G’22
Newhouse Master’s Program: Magazine, News and Digital Journalism
Current Position: Indigenous Democracy Reporter at Buffalo’s Fire, Bismarck, North Dakota
How did you obtain your current position, and what positions did you hold before it?
I obtained my current position after successfully applying to Report for America for the 2023-2024 cohort. Last December I completed my time as a Newhouse Graduate Minority Fellow. Once the holidays ended, I immediately began working on my application as I went on the job hunt. My former professors such as Aileen Gallagher and Melissa Chessher recommended that I apply to Report for America since I wanted to go into local news. It wasn’t until after a lengthy three-month long interview process that I found out I got the role at Buffalo’s Fire, a Native-led nonprofit online news organization.
What’s an average day like for you on the job?
My schedule can be quite hectic at times, though I try to be well-organized. I usually start off the day responding to emails and calling sources to schedule interviews for stories. I am reporting on voting rights, tribal council, school board and rural co-op meetings, tribal college stories and K-12 education, but my main beat is Indian education.
Then I go onto Slack and check in with my editor/the team. Sometimes I have Zoom meetings –– from June up until December 2023 I attended monthly meetings for the Solution Journalism Network’s rural cohort. Twice a week, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I go to the downtown office space we rent for my office hours, where members of the community are able to come visit me to chat, bring up concerns or discuss story ideas. Throughout the day I am also reporting on events, meeting sources for pictures/interviews and of course writing the story. Once I complete a draft, I contact my editor and then we begin going through the editing process together.
How do you feel Newhouse prepared you for your current position?
Newhouse prepared me for my current position by teaching me multimedia and networking skills. Prior to Syracuse, I was solely a writer. After Syracuse, I was able to compete with others applying for my role because the magazine, news and digital journalism program gave me the ability to be a well-rounded and detail-oriented storyteller. Boot camp during summer 2021 really set me up for success and freshened up my reporting skills. My instructor, Julie McMahon, took the time to check in with each of us and gave us advice on how to find stories and improve our writing. Professor Harriet Brown’s News Reporting class during the fall took me to the next level in my reporting as I began to incorporate data and other visual elements into my work.
As a part of my fellowship, Newhouse also funded my first Native American Journalist Association— now the Indigenous Journalist Association—conference in Phoenix. By providing me that opportunity, I got to connect for the first time with other Indigenous journalists. Despite being an enrolled member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe in Rocky Boy, Montana, I never lived on or visited my reservation. I grew up with the Mexican American side of my family in North County, San Diego, so while I got to learn some aspects of that side of my culture, I always felt disconnected from my Native side. Attending the conference was a big part of my reconnection journey.
Did Newhouse open your eyes to new professions or aspects of your field you may have not considered when applying?
Newhouse opened my eyes to a plethora of new professions and variety in my field. While I am primarily a writer, I became interested in multimedia storytelling after taking Professor Corey Takahashi’s class. After participating as a mentee in NAJA x Next Gen Radio in April 2022, I really began to get interested in audio stories and just began working with audio in my current work. I also gained an interest in editorial writing while in Syracuse. Though local news will always be my passion, I don’t mind expanding my horizons and trying new things.
What unique features of your graduate program drew you to it?
I only applied to two graduate programs—UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism and Newhouse. While I got into both programs, I was already leaning towards Syracuse because of the amount of networking and professional opportunities offered. Magazine, news and digital journalism also seemed more aligned with my professional goals. I wanted to evolve from print to digital journalism and expand into multimedia storytelling. Once I was offered the Newhouse Graduate Minority Fellowship, my heart was set on Syracuse.
Did the Newhouse Career Development Center aid you?
As a part of the Newhouse Graduate Minority Fellowship, I worked as an intern at Syracuse.com for a year. I chose to write features as well as some arts and entertainment articles. Though it was a hectic period, I am glad I had the opportunity to work with my editors, including the thoughtful and detail-oriented Alaina Beckett. Prior to Syracuse.com, I also was a Newhouse x POPSUGAR Voices fellow, where I wrote editorial pieces on the fitness, love, beauty, family, living, technology and Latina verticals. Some of my local news stories from the first six months in my program were also published in the Stand.
What are some obstacles or misconceptions about your field that students ought to be aware of?
After my cohort graduated, the job market was tough due to layoffs in the industry. Many people I know are still having trouble finding full-time work in journalism. It can be very discouraging at times. I know it might not sound helpful at the moment, but in time things do work out. The job hunt is a painful waiting game. But in the end, all the hard work you put into applications will pay off. It only takes one yes for your life (and career) to change for the better. Stay determined, no matter how hard things get.
What moments in your career have been most exciting or defining thus far?
I’ve only been at Buffalo’s Fire for six months, so I’m still fairly new in my job, but there have been few cool opportunities I’ve been able to experience. Back in November, I was invited as a mentor by Doug Mitchell for IJA x Next Gen Radio: Albuquerque. I assisted my uber-talented and super organized mentee, Molly Mamaril, as she reported her audio story on a Native Hawaiian scholar who is aiming to return home after she receives her doctorate to give back to her community. It wasn’t that long since April 2022 when I was a participant in NAJA x Next Gen Radio program, so I was grateful to be welcomed back so soon. Not only did I reconnect with old friends, but I made new ones as well. It felt amazing to be surrounded by other Indigenous journalists and also be in the position to help guide someone on their project.
What advice do you have for current or incoming students?
I first came to Syracuse right after classes were back to in-person during the Covid-19 pandemic. After losing the last year of my undergrad experience, I decided during grad school I would make the most of it and say yes to everything. I encourage current and incoming students to step out of their comfort zone, for both their social and professional life. You’re only able to expand your skill set and meet new people if you try new things. One of my favorite classes was Professor Rawiya Kameir’s Critical Writing course. While at Newhouse I was experimenting with different forms of writing outside of the news. Kameir’s class taught me how to analyze, structure and write creatively. I appreciated the chill atmosphere and healthy environment that Kameir fosters.
Master’s Alumni Profile: Justin Maccagnan G’22
Justin Maccagnan G’22
Newhouse Master’s Program: Television, Radio and Film
Current Position: Production Support Engineer at NBCUniversal and CNBC Business Channel
How did you obtain your current position?
This position, weirdly enough, came through a LinkedIn recruiter. My profile was suggested to her as I had a large technical background working as an engineer for trucks, stadiums and universities. I’ll be honest, I thought it was spam, so I ignored it, but after looking her up, I decided to talk to her. We had two interviews and here we are. It has been nothing short of spectacular since.
What’s an average day like for you on the job?
As a production support engineer, I support all technical equipment for CNBC business channel and NBCUniversal, specifically the New York offices at the NASDAQ. This includes camera equipment, graphics operation systems, INews software, transmission technology and control room operations (any equipment breaks, I am fixing it). Aside from this, our shop has also merged with the IT department. So, I am also tasked with making new employee work accounts, troubleshooting computer programming issues, internet software updates, fixing PC routers and dealing with any issues that may be IT related.
Any given day can be vastly different, which is why I love this job so much. We are a call support shop, so we respond to whoever calls with an issue, meaning one day I could be working on an INews issue and the next I am working on a camera problem in one of the main studios. On a regular day, I am also working on major projects that the network needs done. These projects come in spurts, but they are very exciting, and I love knowing that I am working on the future studios/equipment of CNBC.
How do you feel Newhouse prepared you for your current position?
Classes in sports and TV production were what helped prepare me the most for my current position. With professors like Olivia Stomski and Andy Robinson, I was able to obtain base knowledge of how to work in sports production and operate cameras as well as learn technical aspects of production. Specifically with Robinson’s class, the greatest part was staying after our show tapings and studying the technical aspects that went into operating the graphics system as well as the TD switchboard. I never thought staring at wires would be so enjoyable but after seeing how every wire contributed to the broadcast, I was hooked. Without Robinson’s class, I don’t know if I would have gone in the direction I did.
All of the hard skills I learned were from being an engineer intern for the ACC Network and Syracuse Athletics. I did this job for the entire time I was in Syracuse. Things I learned included how to make ethernet cables, hardwiring cameras, setting up audio consoles, troubleshooting video signal issues and cleaning fiber cables. I developed a very close friendship with the chief engineer of Syracuse Athletics, and that friendship both led to my current job and is a friendship I will have for the rest of my life. In truth, Newhouse as well as Syracuse Athletics helped guide me to what my true-life passion was.
Did Newhouse open your eyes to new professions or aspects of your field you may have not considered when applying?
Through Newhouse, I was introduced to the ACC Network and Syracuse Athletics. At first, my objective was to just get in the door and work live sporting events. Scott Hecht, the then director of ACC Network, appreciated my enthusiasm and asked if I wanted to be an engineer intern. I had no clue what engineers do, but to me, it was an opportunity, so I jumped at it. That one leap of faith was what led me to where I am now.
The greatest thing that happened to me while at Syracuse was working for Tom White, the chief engineer for Syracuse athletics. Up until I met Tom, I had never known what an engineer does. Tom took every chance he had to teach me something new. As an engineer, your main task is knowing every single piece of equipment, wire and cable that goes into a specific broadcast. You are the line of defense if something falls apart and all eyes look to you to fix said problem, so you are always learning something new. With Tom, we dealt with lots of issues, and I began to realize this is the career path I wanted to pursue. Very few people want to become broadcast engineers, so this helps the field as there are usually job openings for these positions. I saw this as not only an exciting growth opportunity, but one that I could make a full career out of.
What unique features of your graduate program drew you to it?
One of the key features of my program was that I was brought on as an instructional associate. As someone who aspires to be a college professor one day, I saw this as a wonderful opportunity to get some teaching practice. I worked with first year and sophomore production courses and loved every minute of it.
The television, radio and film program is arguably the most unique program at Syracuse. It is an amazing program in that the objective of both the professors and the curriculum is to allow the student to grow their mind as well as tap into their creative potential. The program’s objective is to help you find your creative voice and run with it. Aside from that, this program also uniquely combines all facets of the film and entertainment industry into the coursework, including screenwriting, pitching films, business models of the film industry, production and law practices that all networks/film houses follow, giving a well-rounded knowledge of the entertainment world.
Lastly, if you join the program and you feel you may not be bonding with the film material as much, Michael Schoonmaker, the television, radio and film department chair, is more than willing to help find you electives that are in the other programs of Newhouse. I had several graduate friends take courses outside the normal TRF curriculum and they couldn’t have been happier.
Did the Newhouse Career Development Center aid you?
The Newhouse Career Development Center did help me, both with my resume as well as job leads. Bridget Lichtinger was crucial to my success at Syracuse and my resume looked a lot better once we went over it a couple of times. She is a true asset to the school.
What are some obstacles or misconceptions about your field?
A lot of young students that get into the broadcast engineering field may think they just set up the equipment and then leave it for the people to operate. Unfortunately, this is anything but true. As an engineer, your job is to know where everything goes for a broadcast. And when I mean everything, I mean EVERYTHING.
I’ll use an example: Say you are using a Sony camera. As an operator you just need to know which buttons on the camera do what, how to shoot and what to shoot. As an engineer, you need to know button functions, where do the wires that are connected to the camera go, what signal goes to those said wires, what is the lens type of the camera, what unit powers the camera and what signal sends to the operator so they can see what they are shooting. When you think about this, most people’s minds explode and you’re not expected to know all this right out of the gate- but when you work many years in the field, you are expected to eventually know all the information pertaining to those systems spoken about.
What moments in your career have been most exciting or defining thus far?
There have been many, so I’ll name a couple:
The engineer job with CNBC and NBCUniversal: This is a position most people don’t get until they are in their 30s due to the level of knowledge required. By a stroke of luck, I was brought on with an expectation they would train me on equipment for the long term, so I am always appreciative that I got such a unique and amazing opportunity.
Phillies corporate event: This was the first major corporate event I had worked for the Phillies and due to a callout, I was left to man the event by myself. I set up everything, operated all consoles and broke down everything afterward. It was a big moment for me as it increased my confidence that I could do these events by myself.
What advice do you have for current or incoming students?
One of the greatest assets of Newhouse is the main control room for Syracuse Athletics and ACC Network out of Syracuse. Go inside, look around and talk to the people that run operations there- they are always looking for dedicated students that can work events and want to learn. Whether you are someone that wants to be an on-air talent, producer, replay operator, or even engineer, they always have spots available for people to get involved.
Even if you don’t enjoy it as much as I did, I promise you the most successful producers and on-air talents are the ones that know about the technical aspects of a TV broadcast. It can only help you in the long run.
The classes I recommend are any production classes with Olivia Stomski and I also recommend any courses with Kelly Leahy, Robert Thompson and Shaina Holmes. Three of the best professors I had while at Syracuse.
Master’s Alumni Profile: Jerald Pierce G’18
Jerald Pierce G’18
Newhouse Master’s Program: Goldring Arts Journalism and Communications
Current position: Chicago Editor at American Theatre Magazine, Chicago, Illinois
What set you on your career path?
Well, I got my undergraduate degree in acting and realized fairly quickly that that life wasn’t for me. I still loved theatre, so I wound up looking for other ways to stay involved. I saw a (now defunct) website advertising that it was looking for theatre reviewers who were also theatremakers themselves. I had strong opinions about theatre and it was a pretty low risk opportunity, so I gave it a try. I wound up running that site for a bit when the editor needed to step away, and I realized that I absolutely loved criticism, both writing and working with other writers on their reviews. So, when I got to the point in my life where I was thinking about getting a masters degree, Newhouse and the AJC program were one of a few different paths I was interested in, and I let the admission fates decide what was next. That’s all to say, basically I just kept following open doors until I made my way to my current path.
What skills did you acquire at Newhouse that you use in your work now?
I came into Newhouse with basically zero reporting or journalism knowledge beyond what you can glean simply from reading a lot of news. I could form complete sentences to give my opinion on art, but everything I know about journalism, reporting and editing I got from Newhouse.
What experiences or activities that you took part in outside the classroom stands out from your time as a graduate student at Newhouse?
The easy answer is to point to any of the trips I was able to take while at Newhouse that I never would have been able to take on my own. Attending the Toronto Film Festival, traveling to the Spoleto Festival in Charleston and spending time in Israel were all life-changing experiences that I never would have had the opportunity to do, and now they’re all foundational in one way or another to who I am as a reporter and editor.
What does it mean to you to be a Newhouse alum?
Newhouse has been a great support system for me so far in my career. I’m not a big “networking” person, but Newhouse comes with a built-in network that continues to pop up everywhere I go (American Theatre Magazine’s current managing editor is also a Goldring alum, for instance). Over the years, I’ve leaned on folks I met at Newhouse for career advice and job references, so being an alum has been a real support system during my career journey.
What advice would you offer someone thinking about pursuing a graduate degree?
Take the leap. I went to graduate school at 27, marking a complete change in career path. It can be hard to find time and opportunities to solely focus on skill-building post-college. Grad school gave me a chance to hyper-focus on what I wanted to learn with minimal distractions, and that’s incredibly valuable.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Ideally, I’d love to be the lead theatre critic at a publication somewhere in the country. As someone prone to walking through any door that is open, I’ve learned that I never really know where life is going to take me. But if I could shape that path, I’d want it to lead to being a trusted source of theatre criticism for a community.
Master’s Alumni Profile: Kellan Godfrey G’ 22
Kellan Godfrey G’ 22
Newhouse Master’s Program: Advanced Media Management
Current Position: Assistant Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing at Gardner-Webb University Athletics
How did you obtain your current position, and what positions did you hold before it?
After completing my master’s at Newhouse in July 2022, I worked briefly in communications and marketing at Washington & Jefferson College. I worked in athletic communications prior to Syracuse at Bowling Green State University and Indiana University Bloomington, and I really missed it. I cold applied to various department openings in the summer of 2023 and was fortunate to get this opportunity at Gardner-Webb. It has been an amazing experience and one of the best moves of my career.
What’s an average day like for you on the job?
In athletic communications no two days are the same. As a sports information director, I wear many different hats. My assigned sports are men’s and women’s soccer, men’s basketball, women’s lacrosse and men’s and women’s tennis. My office days consist of updating game notes, managing my assigned sports on our website GWUSports.com, updating social media and organizing and tracking official stats for the NCAA. On game days, I work at my designated position and help whenever anything is needed, whether it is official stats keeping or DV Sport instant replay. Post-game I will manage media requests, send stats where necessary and write the recap for our website.
How do you feel Newhouse prepared you for your current position?
My program at Newhouse helped me tremendously in many ways, but one specific example I can give is with my content management skills. I have a much better understanding and a keener eye for how our content should be presented to the appropriate audiences whether it is on our website, social media or another form of communication. I purposely worked outside of the sports industry through my graduate school assignments and as an instructional associate, so I have been able to bring this knowledge and apply it back in an industry I am very passionate about.
Did Newhouse open your eyes to new professions or aspects of your field you may have not considered when applying?
Absolutely! That is what drew me to the position I had prior to this current one. I know I am capable of using my knowledge and skill sets to work in a wide range of content management positions in the future. But this is the industry that I belong in. I spent enough time out of it to know that my place is in it.
What features of your graduate program drew you to it?
What drew me to the advanced media management program in the first place was the versatility it was going to provide me. Coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic, I knew I wanted a program that would strengthen the skills I had, while providing me tools to take what I know to any industry if needed.
Did the Newhouse Career Development Center aid you?
The Career Development Center at Newhouse helped me a lot. Mainly in the presentation of my resume and how to emphasize different skills for different applications. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of having multiple resumes. I served as an IA in media law for two semesters at Newhouse and had the opportunity to lead a team to create one of three designated capstone projects in the summer of 2022. I was able to perfect the idea for a Morning Brew style email newsletter for remote workers called “Remote Start.”
What campus organizations you were involved with while at Newhouse?
I was involved with the Blackstone Launch Pad in the spring of 2022 and won third place in the Raymond von Dran iPrize competition for my newsletter “Remote Start.” I used the competition to fine tune the idea for capstone.
What are some obstacles or misconceptions about your field?
I would say that students might think that jobs in sports media or college athletics are glamorous. There is a lot of excitement, but it takes a lot of hard work as well to be great at what you do. I do what I do to build relationships with student athletes, coaches and student workers who are learning from us.
What moments in your career have been most exciting or defining thus far?
There are plenty of great moments. My first year as a sports information director I covered the men’s ice hockey team at Bowling Green State University the year that they ended an almost 30-year drought in reaching the NCAA tournament. Some people work their entire careers and never get that experience. I also covered a team that reached the NCAA tournament in my first year in athletic communications at one of my alma maters. Whenever I visit, I still get choked up when I see the 2018-2019 NCAA Tournament season banner in Slater Family Ice Arena.
What advice do you have for current or incoming students?
I would say to incoming students to ignore the imposter syndrome you might feel from time-to-time. You were accepted to the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University for a reason. Come ready to work hard and expand your thinking in every way possible. You will learn and achieve things you may not believe by the time you are done. I extend a special thank you to my professors Adam Peruta, Shelly Palmer, Bob Bierman, Jeff Passetti and former professor Ulf Oesterle. I learned a lot from all of them.
Master’s Alumni Profile: Aahliyah Halloway G’22
Aahliyah Halloway G’22
Newhouse Master’s Program: Television, Radio and Film
Current Position: Content Producer at WSET-ABC13
How did you obtain your current position, and what positions did you hold before it?
This was my first job after getting my master’s degree and before that, I was a development intern at American High and Alta Global Media.
What’s an average day like for you on the job?
I get to work at 2:30 in the afternoon and check my emails to see what stories the reporters were assigned to for the day, check for breaking news and any big national stories I need to follow. Then I get ready for our afternoon meeting. This is where we discuss the reporter’s stories in more detail and come up with backups for them in case their story does not pan out or we need to put it on hold for the day. We also lay out the plan for our late newscast during the meeting. I produce two shows, the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts. My job is to make sure the shows are as clean as possible. To make sure we start and end on time and put out any fires that may happen. After I finish the 6 p.m. newscast, I prepare my rundown for the 11 p.m. and take a dinner break. Then it’s kind of the same as when I first get to work, we have another meeting and discuss if there are any changes we need to make. Then I get ready to produce the 11 p.m. newscast.
How do you feel Newhouse prepared you for your current position?
The beauty of Newhouse is that they offer you ways to really see what the industry is like, so when you enter it’s less of a shell shock. Through Newhouse, I learned time management (which is very important) and creating a schedule (it really helps you to stay on track) and I think the courses at Newhouse are a great pre-introduction if you will to the industry.
Did Newhouse open your eyes to new professions or aspects of your field you may have not considered when applying?
When I first entered Newhouse, I had a limited view of creative language and thought screenwriting was the sole avenue for its expression. However, my experience in various courses and group projects introduced me to diverse writing forms that demand just as much creativity, such as magazine articles and news stories. Newhouse has truly expanded my horizons, showing that having a specific skill in mind upon entry can open the door to a world of unexpected possibilities.
What unique features of your graduate program drew you to it?
The sense of collaboration is what cemented my choice to join the television, radio and film program. It was wonderful not only to see my own ideas come to life but others as well.
Did the Newhouse Career Development Center aid you?
The Career Development Center was a tremendous help with perfecting my resume. If you haven’t gone by the center yet I would definitely recommend it.
What are some obstacles or misconceptions about your field?
In television, things rarely go perfectly. You have to have the ability to pivot and stay somewhat calm. And when things go wrong, and they will, don’t get too hung-up on your mistakes. Luckily, this is one of the few careers where you can start each day with a clean slate.
What moments in your career have been most exciting or defining thus far?
I think the whole process of putting something together and then watching it come to life has been so great. I look at my job as a way of storytelling and I’m always eager to tell the next one.
What advice do you have for current or incoming students?
Be open and willing to learn and embrace group projects. You never know what new skill you might pick up or what new journey it might put you on. If you have the opportunity, take any of Dr. Kelly Leahy’s courses. She is brilliant and will push you to think in ways you haven’t before.