Upon graduating from Mansfield University, Kim moved back home to Rochester, NY with no idea of what to do next. She looked into PR firms and some corporate communication positions, but quickly realized that those atmospheres were not for her. She found her niche in higher education and have since been working in Advancement Communications (basically alumni relations and fundraising) and will have obtained her Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration this coming December. She has to shout out to Dr. Young for that, ..."since she wrote me a wonderful letter of recommendation for grad school. I hope she still remembers me because I’m starting to look into Ph.D. or Ed.D. programs."

Kim writes, "I have to wear a suit to work every day, but thanks to Dr. Carrish and her etiquette class, I’m entirely comfortable and own a suit in every professional color available. In addition, I have interviewed for two separate jobs since I graduated and have gotten both of them. I may have complained during the course, but I’m praising it now!

Truthfully, I owe my success and the successes yet to come to my experience and education from Mansfield, particularly the professors in the Communications department. I left feeling completely prepared for whatever was to come my way after graduation because of the skills I learned in all of my classes. I also left with the ability to work hard as a student and have the confidence to achieve advanced degrees.

My words of wisdom? Don’t let anyone stand in the way of your dreams and never have any regrets. Our past dictates who we become and arms us with the knowledge and skills for the future."

Jennifer has resided in Wilmington, NC since July 2005. It’s known as the Hollywood of the east as many shows and movies have been filmed here including Dawson’s Creek, One Tree Hill, The Crow, and Weekend at Bernie’s. (It’s also on the beach!) Jennifer is currently the Promotions Director for NextMedia, a national company with radio and outdoor media branches. She has been working in promotions at NextMedia’s six Wilmington stations for two years. In her spare time, she writes for a local music magazine, The Beat, and checks out all the great local music the city has to offer.

Words of Wisdom: LISTEN to Dr. Young (and all the rest of the Comm Department professors)! Also, be as prepared for the “real world” as you can; it sneaks up on you.

After graduation, Colin interviewed with several PR firms in NYC before turning back to higher education and becoming the Assistant Director of Admissions at Cazenovia College in Cazenovia, NY.  As Assistant Director, he promoted Cazenovia College through recruitment, written communication and press media.  After three years at Cazenovia, he moved on to Binghamton University (SUNY) where he is a Residence Hall Director. 

Colin writes, "The main reason I chose to attend Mansfield was because of the close knit community I felt when I visited.  With the communication courses being so small, I was able to become part of the community and become very active in the department.  I was given the opportunity to be a Student Representative to the Communication Department member and officer of the organizations through the department (PRSSA, The Flashlight, TV Club and WNTE).  It was through these interactions with the department and the professors that I was able to gain extra knowledge outside the classroom." 

He recommends, "Get as involved as you can.  Although the classroom knowledge is important, using that knowledge outside of the classroom will help you grow and build your confidence in the communications field.  Who you know might help in landing an interview – but it’s what you know that will get you the job and help you keep it."

Paul is currently responsible for educating students on job hunting skills, resume building, and job placement help.  He continuously works with the businesses in helping them find the right candidates for positions as well as internships.  Previously Paul worked for a Prep School of 3 years teaching English and Coaching Basketball.  The following years he worked at an Alternative School teaching Social Skills and English as well as continuing basketball coaching. 
 
Memories:  "I truly enjoyed all of the faculty from my days at school.  Most are gone now but surely enjoyed Dr. Young's summer class and Gender Communication.  Overall, I loved my time at Mansfield and feel I learned many amazing aspects that I took from my days there to the real world now."
 
Words of Wisdom: Whatever someone tells you, let it be your motivation, whether its something good or bad.  In the end, you will grow and become an amazing person from it.

After graduation Na'eem interned as a law clerk for the Department of Justice, The Office for Civil Rights in Washington, D.C.  He still wanted to try his hand at Broadcasting before he took the leap into law.  He moved back to Philadelphia and landed a job as a production assistant for WCAU in Philadelphia. He stayed there for a year.  During that time Na'eem made and sent out a demo reporting tape.  He landed his next job as a "One Man Band" for News 12 in Brooklyn.  "One man banding"  is reporting, writing, editing, and photography all in one. Na'eem states, "It's by far the toughest thing I've EVER done." He's talked to Mayor Bloomberg, met a Soprano star, and witnessed the biggest upset in Super Bowl history in the nine months he's been there. Check him out on YouTube:www.youtube.com/aimefoorue

"On paper it sounds simple but finding a job is tough work."  The best advice Na'eem can give is to stay motivated. 

Graduated from Mansfield in 1992 with a BA in Communications under the old speech communication major. Have worked primarily in marketing and membership fields since then. Now work at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics as communications specialist, where I handle PR and media relations for the Institute, and manage two grassroots public policy programs in an effort to increase the image and visibility of the aerospace community. In my spare time, I coach the speech team at Broad Run High School, Ashburn, Va.

Erica is an AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer/Development Assistant for Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley (Allentown, Pa.)

Advice: "Gain as much experience as you can in college. If you are a mass communication major, a dual emphasis would be advantageous. Seek an internship if you have the time.
Lessons learned:  Listen to your professors; they know more than they may have time to teach. Find a passion; seek a mission for your life. Success is not a job or a salary, it's finding happiness and fulfillment in what you do. Don't feel rushed to find the perfect job; try different things until you are sure what is right. Make time to live: travel, develop and maintain friendships, try new food, converse with strangers, seek new ideas, read and love."
Favorite Quotes: "Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself." -William Faulkner
"No social advance rolls on the wheels of inevitability. It rests on the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals." -Martin Luther King, Jr.

My experiences in Mansfield's Communication Department were always beneficial and rewarding.  I apply the lessons learned there in my professional and personal life on a daily basis.  My advisor (Dr. Young), as well as other former faculty, continues to maintain a relationship with me to which I will always value.  My best advice is to never stop having fun, enjoy what you do and don't sweat the small stuff.

P.S. - Take Gender Communication - it will help you win any battle of the sexes.

Dave can be reached at: davemerwine@timelessdestination.com

In her current position, Annie is responsible for the development and implementation of the Agency's formal fundraising plan; she is also responsbile for all PR activities to promote the awareness of the Area Agency on Aging in the four counties it serves.

Prior to holding this job, Annie worked in the Media Relations Department at Little League Baseball and Softball in Williamsport, PA. She was responsbile for coordinating and maintaining databases for media relations, communications, and publications as well as coordinating the media credential request process and the background checks for those media representatives in attending the annual Little League World Series.

She is an active member in the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) where she currently is a member of the Central Pennsylvania and Finger Lakes Chapters as well as the Non-Profit Interest Section. Annie has served the organization as a member of the Entertainment and Sports Executive Committee.

Annie can be contacted at ametarko@bsstaa.org

Memories of Mansfield: Don't be afraid to swim upstream...Take every opportunity that you are offered even if you think you won't like it. Go into each situation with confidence even if you aren't sure of yourself. Don't be afraid to ask questions and, most importantly, enjoy what you do!

Yorelis Millayes-Rosa completed her undergraduate degree in Communication and Mass Communications emphasis in Broadcasting within three years.  Realizing that furthering her career in Broadcasting was extremely competitive and unrealistic at the time, Millayes-Rosa decided to pursue a career in higher education.  After several successful interviews, she accepted the position as the Admission Counselor at Albright College, where she articulated to prospective students the various programs the college had to offer, the importance of having a liberal arts education and the mission of the College, while coordinating all of the Joseph E. Coleman Multi-Ethnic programs and awards.  She understood and successfully interpreted the goals and objectives of first year students and provided appropriate advice and counsel to those students and their families. 

Not giving up the urge to continue to grow and develop professionally, Millayes-Rosa left Albright to become the Assistant Director of Admissions and Manager of the Campus Enrichment Program at Bucknell University, the nation's largest private liberal arts university which is located in Pennsylvania. There she will lead the development and implementations of a strategic plan for the recruitment of students from cohorts currently underrepresented within the University’s student body, while serving as a liaison and advocate for the identified campus enrichment students.  Millayes-Rosa will continue all of the responsibilities required of the Admission office all while trying to complete her Masters in College Student Personnel.  She truly is driven, dedicated, determined and suggests to do the same and to never give up.  She recommends, “Utilizing your summer and winter breaks to gain as much experience as possible, with internships or volunteer programs, is a great way to make you marketable and increase your chances of employment upon graduation.” And notes as a reminder that, “…success is in the eye of the beholder; have the certainty that YOU have what it takes to the reach the level of ‘success’ as it is defined by YOU.”  Millayes-Rosa would like to leave you with Winston Churchill’s quote, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Kelly Ann Murray is the Coordinator of International and Diversity Programs at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pa. She is also a Residence Life Coordinator for the college. Kelly Ann oversees the daily operations of a residence hall and is also responsible for planning campus-wide diversity programs. She loves working closely with students and advises several student organizations including the Black Awareness Student Union, Falcons Advocate Diversity Educational Drama (a student improvisational acting group,) and the yearbook staff.

Currently, Kelly Ann is working toward the completion of her Master of Arts Degree in Leadership and Public Administration at Centenary College in NJ.

Kelly Ann is thrilled to be working for Cedar Crest College, a women’s college, and loves the focus her school places on women’s leadership. Aside from her current position at Cedar Crest, Kelly Ann also worked in the field of women’s education as the Director of the Spotlight Summer Program at Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC. The program gives 7th -11th grade girls the opportunity to study subjects that are not typically offered in traditional high schools, such as fashion and forensic science.

Her advice: Kelly Ann encourages students to remember that there are a number of ways to apply a degree in communication. “Even though I work in student affairs, I can say, quite confidently, that I use the skills I developed as a communication major each and every day” Murray said.

“From communication theory and media design to public speaking and public relations, each course plays a role in my work today.”

Kelly Ann is pictured with Dr. Jill Biden (wife of VP Joe Biden).

Carlos works for Octagon Research Solutions, Inc., a leader in the electronic transformation of clinical R&D in the life sciences industry. Octagon is headquartered in Wayne, PA, with European headquarters in Berkhamsted, UK. Octagon’s EDC Operations are located in Mountain View, CA. For more information please visit www.octagonresearch.com. Carlos provides media coverage for both the US and EU. He also provides press release, PR plans and other ways to market their product.

Jaclyn graduated from MU in December of 2004 with a B.S. in Communication and a B.S. in Mass Communication with an emphasis in Broadcasting.  She lives in Lancaster, Pa and has been employed by WGAL-TV, which is in the Harrisburg/Lancaster/York market, since November 2004.  In October of 2006, she began working as the Newscast Director where she directs any show as needed by demands of the station.  Her job specifically involves live switching of the show, rolling the tapes that they use, managing and putting all of the graphics on air, directing the camera operators to have the proper shots.  She writes, "In short every single thing that you see on air is because I'm putting everything on air by pushing all those pretty little buttons in the picture at the same time."  When they are not on air, Jaclyn helps with the pre-production of the newscasts and produces the various promos that are on air such as ET, Access Hollywood, Dr. Phil, Oprah, Rachael Ray, and The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet.  She adds, "It is a really fast paced, demanding, and stressful job, but I wouldn't have it any other way."

ADVICE: "Mansfield has really helped me to prepare for my career.  I loved every class and every piece of advice that I encountered while I was at MU.  Although I wasn't a PR major, I was still a member of PRSSA and I loved every minute of it.  I also attempted to take every com class that I possibly could.  I even took summer classes to be able to take classes that weren't offered throughout the regular academic year.  When I was involved in WNTE, I held a variety of posts on the board including Music Director, AGM, and GM.  It is tough when you graduate because most places want you to have experience but I feel that when you get involved with all of the clubs such as MUTV, WNTE, and PRSSA that can replace the experiences that you might not have since you are just graduating from college.  I also recommend that every student attempt to do an internship.  I interned at WENY-TV in Elmira, and along with all the lessons that I learned in the classroom I felt that the lessons that I learned with my internship was also extremely beneficial.  It's one thing to learn things in textbooks, but it's a whole different world when you learn them with actual "real world" experiences.  I also strongly recommend that you keep your notes and books from your classes.  It comes in really handy when you are going for a promotion or if you are interviewing for a new job.  Also, don't get weirded out if you hear Dr. Carrish and Dr. Young pop into your head when you are in an interview... they are there to help you!!"

If anyone has any questions or wants to get in touch with me my email address is jsal1121@yahoo.com

Alicia works for The Main Link as a Peer Support Mentor. She provides assistance to those who are suicidal and are dealing with self harm addiction. She also talks to multiple people a week about their faith. 

Memories of Mansfield/Words of Wisdom: The best people skill you'll learn is by getting involved with organizations that the Com Department offers. Not just joining them, but staying with it no matter who makes you mad or if your friends quit. Because when you get that dream job, you'll run into those people and you have to find coping skills for dealing with personalities.

After graduating with a Broadcasting degree in May 2005, Sarah headed to Los Angeles to fulfill a year of volunteer service with AmeriCorps (the domestic PeaceCorps) where she served as Volunteer Coordinator for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles. When her year was complete, she got a job at Ketchum Public Relations, an international public relations firm. She worked on the corporate PR side, assisting on such accounts as Fed Ex, Clorox, The Produce Marketing Association and The Jerde Partnership and also writing crisis plans. Sarah realized that the corporate environment wasn't really for her, so she got a job in marketing at Blueprint Test Preparation, a small company that teaches LSAT preparation courses. She plans to head back to school to work on a Master's Degree in the future.

Words of Wisdom: What you may have always thought you wanted to do may not be what you actually enjoy once you try it out professionally. Don't let that stop you! Do what you love, even if it's not the path that you expected.

I started as the Human Resource Generalist for Northern Tier Counseling in June of 2008. I was actively searching for employment opportunities before I graduated which was what landed me this position. I do all the recruiting operations for the company, and I absolutely love the experience I am gaining. (Yes, all of those interviewing skills and writing cover letters and resumes really paid off for me because now I’m on the evaluating end!) I think it is important to keep my goals in check continuously. I am always reevaluating my short, mid, and long term goals for my career.

My Words of Wisdom: #1. Be Ambitious! #2. Show Mansfield what you really have to offer as a person because they are an invaluable resource for your future…remember you are ALWAYS making an impression even if you don’t want to be! #3. Take your Communication classes seriously, they WILL prepare you for the real world. And lastly, #4. As Dr. Young will oh so graciously remind you, realistically, most of you will not graduate and start out making $50,000 a year. This is absolutely true and if you leave Mansfield knowing that, you won’t be disappointed. As true as the statement is, there are other ways to be proactive about your future. Yes, you have graduated from college. This does not make you “better” than 1 or 2 part time jobs to get you where you want to be. You can always be educating yourself and doing things to make yourself more marketable and profitable. I hear this a lot, “You are a college graduate with a full time job and great benefits, why are you continuously pursuing part time jobs? You’re going to burn out!” My response is simple, “I thrive on a good challenge!”

Good luck!

Shortly after graduation, Jaime took the position as a part-time reporter for the News Item in Shamokin, Pa. After a few months, he was offered a full-time sports reporter position. In both of these positions he was responsible for various beats, some photography and minor clerical duties.

After a year in the sports reporter position, Jaime was hired as the entertainment editor for the Sun-Gazette in Williamsport, Pa.

At the Sun-Gazette, where he is currently employed, Jaime is responsible for a weekly entertainment tab called Showcase which covers music, movies, theater and art in Central Pennsylvania.

Each week, Jaime must plan and delegate stories amongst various Sun-Gazette staff and edit those stories. He also plans photos and eventually layout the 16 pages of the tab. When time permits, Jaime also takes on stories.

Words of wisdom: There's no such thing as too much experience. Do what ever you can to show that you're being proactive in your education and career. At this point in your life, no one is forcing you to be where you are. You're only there by your own choice. Make the most of it.

Also, read. Too many people today choose not to read. Even if it's just a news Web site, read something. It's one of the best ways to enhance your own writing. Plus, there's a lot of great fiction in the world - if news, for some reason, isn't your thing. There are few reasons, other than laziness, to not read.

Ultimately, your future is up to you. The more you know, the better you will do. Nothing will be handed to you.