Ambassadors, scholars network with alumni in Chicago
Media School Ambassadors and freshman Ernie Pyle Scholars networked with alumni eager to hear about the school’s progress Jan. 28 in Chicago.
The school hosted a mixer at Maggiano’s Little Italy for alumni working in the Chicago area and about 40 students who were in the city to visit area media organizations.
Appetizers and conversations were accompanied by an update from Dean James Shanahan about The Media School. The dean told attendees about renovations at the school’s future home, Franklin Hall, set to be completed in the fall. He also described the three undergraduate degrees the school offers and the sports media program that will launch this fall.
Shanahan also invited the alumni to take part in the innovative changes taking place in the school.
“We need friends to help us get the word out about the exciting things we are doing at The Media School,” he said. “We encourage you to come see us on campus, interact with students and provide mentorship.”
Maddy Weil, BAJ’15, said the opportunity to give back to the school is exactly why she attended the reception. Weil attended last year’s alumni mixer as a student ambassador and ended up scoring a summer internship at Golin, a public relations firm the group the group visited during the trip. Weil is now a corporate communications associate at Golin.
“I fell in love with Golin on this trip last year and never imagined I’d be where I am today,” she said. “I’m here to encourage students to take advantage of all of the resources IU and the school have to offer them.”
Alumni offered advice about post-graduate life. Jill Wachholz, BA’79, encouraged students to consider more than the title of a position. Wachholz spent years running her own feature film trailer production company in Los Angeles before becoming a leadership coach for Groupstir in Chicago.
“A lot of young people don’t consider the lifestyle they want to live when they are choosing a career,” she said. “You’ve got to consider simple things like the clothes you wear to the office, the humor of your colleagues, and the culture and vibe of your employers.”
While several alumni attended the reception to mentor students and offer advice, others said they benefit from networking with students. Gerould Kern, BA’71, is senior vice president and editor of the Chicago Tribune.
“I’m at a point in my life and have a perspective that makes it really nice to talk to young people starting out,” said Kern, who returned to his alma mater Feb. 10 as a guest of the school’s Speaker Series. “IU gave me my start, so I wish good things for the university and for Media School students.”
The media students found the reception beneficial to their professional futures as well. Freshman Ernie Pyle Scholar Kyle McClarney plans on going to law school and spoke with an alumnus who is now an attorney.
“It was exciting to talk to him because he knew he wanted to do law and reassured me that getting a journalism degree is a great way to prepare for law school,” she said.
Senior ambassador Catherine Huynh said talking with alumni has put her at ease when it comes life after graduation.
“It’s been reassuring to hear that it’s OK for me to not have my entire life planned out before graduation,” Huynh said. “The most important thing I’ve learned from the alumni tonight is to keep an open mind.”
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