Networking at the networks

Pictured, from left, are front row: George Pierro ’99, Alex Jones’99, second row: Rinad Amro ’00, Tim Wong ’97, third row: Brendan O’Melia ’00, Brian Donnelly ’97, Jody Beesley ’00 and Arrate Isus ’00.

On and off the air, Montclair State students are getting hands-on experience at major broadcasting companies, from NBC and MSNBC to Fox Network and ABC. But before they get a foot in the door, these students must compete against hundreds of other applicants for positions they hope will help launch a successful career in television.

Patricia Piroh, a producer/director in the Broadcasting Department, said in addition to being skilled, students must display enthusiasm and passion, and know how to network. And it's no accident that students networking in radio and television are likely to meet professionals who got their start at Montclair State.

"Our broadcasting alumni who are in position to hire call us first," Piroh explained. "They know the caliber of our program and our students. When a company gets someone they really like, and that person gets promoted, the company says, ‘Get me somebody just like you.' That's when our graduates call and say they need somebody who's been through our program."
John Silverman '98 is the assignment desk manager at iBeam, an internet-based company that streams videos and broadcasts them on the Web for financial and entertainment companies. "As a graduate, I am familiar with the broadcasting program and what it emphasizes," he said. "When I hire someone from Montclair, I know I am getting a quality employee who knows production values."

Pete Flores '97, manager of scheduling and recruitment at Fox News Channel, also looks to his alma mater for potential employees. "Everything we do here is closely related to, or similar, to what students do at Montclair State," he said. "The studio and control room environment for productions are similar to those at Fox News."

Flores, like many broadcasting majors, first began as an intern for his current employer. Brendan O'Melia '00 interned at MSNBC the summer before he graduated. When his internship ended, he was hired to work in the duplication room, and he is now a full-time editor.

Jennifer Stelevich Miko '90, following a lead from Piroh, was offered an entry-level position at CBS Sports paying $6 an hour. Piroh encouraged Miko to take the job at CBS rather than a higher-paying temporary position she was considering. She took the job and was quickly promoted several times. Eight years later she was the manager of Olympic Feature Productions for CBS.

The talents of Montclair State's broadcasting students also are publicly recognized. Competing against established professionals, Mirjam Lablans '01, now a production assistant at Fox News Channel, won a Gracie Allen Award from American Women in Radio and Television for best student documentary over 30 minutes long, and senior Lucy Danny earned one for best student magazine format.

Piroh keeps in touch with broadcasting graduates who are well into their careers. "We work hard to not only to establish a relationship, but to make sure it's ongoing," she said. "Those people come back to us as guest speakers or help us land an internship for someone in a specific area, or if they need a position filled."

Jeffrey Friedman '78, a producer at New Jersey Network, on which fellow alumnus Steve Adubato '80 anchors several shows, teaches in the Broadcasting Department and is instrumental in helping students launch their careers.

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