The Center for Communications hosted a Media Career Summit in partnership with BRIC on June 10 from 8:30 am to 5 pm. The event took place at BRIC house at 647 Fulton street Brooklyn. The Media Career Summit is a chance to give students and recent graduates the opportunity to connect and learn from people in the media industry. The event started with a complimentary breakfast of mini croissants, muffins, coffee and fruit followed with an opportunity to network with peers. Afterwards everyone is led into a theater to listen to opening remarks given by the Associate director of Bric Arts Media Robb Gilmore and the Executive Director of the center for communications J. Max Robins.
Robbins talks about how these seminars are made to help people get their foot in the door when in the media industry. “My advice for anyone starting out their career journey in the media business is to be passionate, work very hard, you’re going to hear a lot of no’s don’t take them personally, and just keep doing it, keep going,” Robins said.
“To see us play a fundamental role in such a diverse, smart group of young people get the opportunity to jump start their careers and when we hear that they made that connection lead to an interview or a job, I’m over the moon with that,” Robins continued.
A panel was held after the opening remarks called ‘Your Blueprint to Opportunity’. The four people on the panel were the Vice President of Mattel David Rosenblum, a talent recruiter from CNN worldwide Ramon Escober, SVP & GM lifestyle group Ronak Patel from Hearst magazine and the CEO of Culture House Carri Twigg. The panel went on to discuss the work environment that students and recent grads would be going into as well as give advice and answer any questions from the crowd. Each of the panelists talked about how your individual experiences and things that make you different are the key to success. After that was finished we were informed by the speaker that we would be split into two groups based off of the sticker on our badges and would either network first or attend a workshop.
The Workshops provided were how to overcome imposter syndrome or how to perfect your elevator pitch. The elevator pitch seminar hosted by Alexandra Merceron taught participants how to have a clear and precise intro when meeting a potential employer or a new connection. Merceron explained that having a clear and concise pitch helps you come across as confident, leaves a lasting impression and can help you gain a job or have a connection to one in the future.
The networking portion of the event had representatives from companies such as Warner Brothers, Mattel, Hearst media, BRIC, Rubinstein communications, REEL Works, DGA Training program, and Hollywood and Radio Television Society. Each table had one or two representatives from the company to answer any questions as well as hand out pamphlets and business cards. Gilmore, who was representing BRIC, gave advice for young creatives that want to break into the industry; “ I think especially when you’re young and you’re creative, you wait for opportunity you should create opportunity. So I think the best thing is if you see somewhere you want to go you gotta do your study, see where they’re lacking, and make your offer.”
The event had another panel called ‘Your road map to Early-Career success’ with the senior marketing manager pitch paramount brand studio at paramount advertising, chief program manager of BRIC Deron Johnson, Associate commissioner education workforce and policy for NYC mayors office of Media and Entertainment Alia Jones-Harvey, and Senior manager and emerging talent at Mattel Seema Yedavalli. The seminar focused on ways that we can become successful in the field we end up in while emphasizing that pivoting will happen but that’s expected. Being able to remain curious about new things is critical to your success. Another point that was brought up was to uplift those that are around you and that your peers are not your adversaries but your allies and we should help each other. While answering questions one thing that was brought up is how to deal with hiring managers not giving you a response after applying for a position. One response from Johnson was to not expect a response to keep yourself from burning out.
“To see us play a fundamental role in such a diverse smart group of young people get the opportunity to jump start their careers and when we hear that they made that connection lead to an interview or a job im over the moon with that” Robins said.
