ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ

Below is a list of the alumni who spoke to current Communications students during Homecoming weekend:

• Kate Sherman ’04, Associate Copy Director (Conde Nast, New York)
• Adam Smith ’05, Communications Director, (Public Campaign, Washington, D.C.)
• Jennifer Hudson Taylor ’93, Publicist and Published Author (Hartline Literary Agency, Pittsburgh)
• Justin Hite ’07, Sports Writer (Rocky Mount Telegram, Oklahoma City)
• Olivia Hubert-Allen ’09, Digital Journalist (Baltimore Sun, Baltimore) 
• David “Muddy” Waters ’93, Assistant Producer (Directors Guild of America, Los Angeles)
• Sadie Stafford ’10, ABC Music Licensing Coordinator and Publishing Administration (ABC Entertainment, New York)
• Leigh Lesniak ’09, Producer (WCNC-Charlotte, N.C.)
• Meghan Packer ’07, Morning Anchor (WFMY TV, Greensboro, N.C.)
• Mitch Pittman ’09, Emmy Award-Winning Journalist (KSTP-TV, Minneapolis)
• Eugene Daniel ’11, General Assignment Reporter (WMBD, Peoria, Ill.)
• Ben Donnelly ’08, Production Assistant at (ESPN, Charlotte, N.C.)

Here are some selected quotes from the alumni speakers in the areas of internships, jobs, living, networking, ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ and individuality.

On Internships

• “I got my first internship through the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ internship network.”— Sadie Stafford
• “When I look at why I got the job I did after college, I have to credit it to my internship experiences rather than a singular class I took.” — Olivia Hubert-Allen
• “Internships were the most important class.” — Justin Hite
• “Internships teach you very quickly what jobs you do not want.” — Jennifer Hudson Taylor
• “I wish I’d done a ’60 Minute’s internship while I was here, but smaller ones can also get you great job opportunities. … Have one of each type of internship: big and small.” — Mitch Pittman
• “Start as soon as possible. It sets you apart. I interned all four years here.” — Eugene Daniel

On Jobs

• “Take advantage of the template sites that are made for you. Photorific, Sideways, Delight and Anan for photographers are all great options.” — Katie Sherman
• “There’s so much clutter you have to cut through, so it seems there’s always jobs in politics.” — Adam Smith
• “Being familiar with the news room and how it works is so important to anything in communications. I think working in PR coming out of journalism is a very doable thing.” — Olivia Hubert-Allen

On Living

• “Personal relationships are the only things that ever really stay the same.” — Adam Smith
• “Absolutely, you have to go work in New York or LA. You really have to go where the work is first.” — David Waters
• “It wasn’t even an option not to move to New York or Los Angeles.” — Sadie Stafford
• “Coming from ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ, New York or Los Angeles can be completely intimidating. It was really my internship experiences and home life which prepared me for that kind of change.” — Sadie Stafford
• “There are a lot of ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ people in both New York and Los Angeles.” — Sadie Stafford
• “I recommend the buddy system. It’s always nice when you have someone you know, from ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ or not.” — Ben Donnelly
• “You can’t be too picky. You just have to go where the work is. Everyone is going to wind up where they’re supposed to be anyway.” — Mitch Pittman
• “You might be surprised with the places you live.” — Mitch Pittman

On Networking

• “Have coffee with people. People will get you connected.” — Katie Sherman
• “I got my job with Conde Nast at an ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ alumni event.” — Katie Sherman
• “You need to meet people, you need to network. I don’t know how many times i heard that.” — Sadie Stafford
• “I cant speak highly enough about the power of networking.” — Sadie Stafford
• “I’ll be more apt to help somebody from ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ than from elsewhere.” — Ben Donnelly

On Their Time at ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ

• “Have a portfolio and follow recruiters on Twitter.” — Katie Sherman
• “When I was a junior here, I got really excited about all the things going on in online media, so I ended up with a career in that field after shifting my focus.” — Olivia Hubert-Allen
• “Get involved with as many professional student media groups as possible to launch yourself into the working world.” — Olivia Hubert-Allen
• “Use every resource that you can.” — Eugene Daniel
• “When you can show the quality of internships along with the quality of work that you have, you will stand out.” — Eugene Daniel

On Setting Yourself Apart:

• “Never stop learning and teaching yourself.” — Jennifer Hudson Taylor
• “Even if you’re in PR, you need to have a (web)site. Get your work out there.” — Katie Sherman
• “Make a website and blog.” — Adam Smith
• “Everything is digital. If you’re willing to learn and be open to new things, you will be that much more versatile and well prepared.” — Jennifer Hudson Taylor
• “Have a solid body of work and get it out on YouTube.” — Meghan Packer

— Compiled by Shana Moss ’16