Alumni Say Dedication Leads to Success
Students gathered in front of a panel of 4 Texas State journalism and broadcast alumni on Thursday afternoon with questions about life after college, internships, and finding the perfect job.
With Laurie Fluker moderating, the panel discussed how a commitment to a career in mass communication can lead to great success.
In some instances, commitment could mean taking an overnight production job right after college, like panel member Ashley Lowell. She is now an executive producer at KWTX-TV in Waco, Texas.
“You need to remember that what you need is not always what you want,” Lowell said. “You learn what you need to do to get to the next step and then you do it.”
The panel members emphasized the importance of mass communication students taking internships to learn as much as possible.
“You are going to have to take those jobs that no one else wants to take and keep in touch with your mentors along the way.” Food and Wine Reporter for the San Antonio Express-News Jennifer McInnis said. “I would say to you guys a minimum of 2 internships. If they see you’re willing to work hard, they’ll be willing to help you.”
The alumni panel members also said that a variety of internships build the skills that make graduates valuable assets.
“I wanted to get experience in lots of areas so that I could be marketable,” Lowell said. “You’ve got to get in front of the person making decisions.”
Panel member Erika Aguilar of KUT Radio in Austin, Texas referred to this as being a Swiss Army Knife, someone who has broad experience in a variety of mass communication fields.
“For a day you get to become an expert on one topic,” Aguilar said. “It’s always going to be the people who work hard and shine who get the jobs.”