“Media MashUP offers students the unique opportunity to connect with individuals at the forefront of industry trends,” said Lila Carney, director of advising and student development.

A common theme at the event was the need to be well-versed in a variety of communications industries.

“For every person on air, there are 10 people behind them,” Keith Connors, news director at Connecticut ABC affiliate WTNH, told students. “No job should be beneath any of us — we are a team.”

He urged students to consider and learn every facet of the industry — and emphasized the impact each individual could have on people’s lives.

School of Communications

“No matter your role, you will be an eyewitness to history — you get to be a part of the biggest events of our time,” he said. “Life doesn’t come to you, you go to it. You make your own breaks.”

Scott McDonnell, a news anchor at WTNH, encouraged students to be proactive and get involved in whatever capacity possible. He stressed the importance of internships as a key ingredient of a successful college journey. It’s one of the reasons School of Communications students are required to gain experiential learning through internship work.

“People are willing to help young professionals because chances are, they were helped at one point, too,” McDonnell said. “All you need to do is ask.”

Jaime Laufer ‘14, current director of people operations at Digital Surgeons, advised students to find that job with which they felt they could succeed.

“The journey is so important — not just the final project,” Laufer said. “Constraints lead to creativity — it’s about how you push past them to come up with a great idea. Find your true North, be authentic and always work toward it.”