Montclair CCOM Alum Nicholas Mulkay Builds a Career in Production at NBCUniversal

Mulkay on set for NBC production, the Extra Mile Club.

Nicholas Mulkay always knew he wanted to create. That drive only grew stronger when he arrived at Montclair’s College of Communication and Media and enrolled in the Television and Digital Media program. From his first semester, he searched for every opportunity that would challenge him, strengthen his skills and prepare him for the fast-paced world of production.

He credits much of his development to the hands-on experiences offered in News Lab, the class that produces the weekly newscast that airs on Hawk Plus (hawkplus.tv) the university’s first-in-the-nation student-run streaming service.

“Being passionate about the simple classes is important to build the fundamentals. News Lab embodies that. You work with a team, everyone steps up to do multiple different jobs to get a show done. It required a lot of time out of class, but it was the most hands-on work I got to do in my time at Montclair. Looking back, that class taught me the most and was closest to real industry experience”.

After graduating in 2023, Mulkay carried that foundation directly into the field. He began working for NBCUniversal’s LXTV as an intern and steadily advanced to his current role as an associate producer. 

“Every day is different, which is why I do what I do. You never know what the day will bring, whether I am filming, editing, researching, or even traveling. I work on teams that create travel-hosted shows, reality travel TV, and more. If I am in the office, I am either editing, labeling footage, or prepping gear. On travel productions, I take on whatever is needed. I operate cameras, prep and maintain gear, handle legal releases and DIT, and sometimes I am the one grabbing coffee and water for my team.”

Mulkay emphasizes the importance of adaptability and willingness to learn has been central to his growth. His advice to students hoping to enter production reflects that.

“Get on set as much as possible. Whether it is your friend’s film or shadowing professionals in the industry. Be passionate about putting in the time, and be willing to do different jobs.”

His path from CCOM classrooms to national television production reinforces what experiential learning can unlock for students who are ready to jump in, work hard, and build their future one project at a time.

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Story by Jennifer Barrales-Solis

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Prospective Students and Parents: Plan your visit and take your first step in applying to become a Red Hawk. Learn more about our Journalism and Digital Media or Film and Television majors in the College of Communication and Media.

About the College of Communication and Media: The College of Communication and Media (CCOM) offers a range of dynamic programs to a talented and diverse student population of over 2,000. Offering degrees in advertising, animation and visual effects, communication and media studies, film and television, journalism and digital media, social media and public relations, sports communication and an online, asynchronous MA devoted to strategic communication and media, the College prepares the next generation of communication and media practitioners and leaders. Founded in 2012 and housed in world-class, state-of-the-art facilities just 12 miles from New York City, the College is the only program in the country that offers the following opportunities for students: a radio station (WMSC), newspaper (The Montclarion), strategic communications agency (Hawk Communications), sports network (Red Hawk Sports Network) streaming platform (Hawk+), digital newsroom (News Lab) and studio, and a social media listening center (Joetta DiBella and Fred C. Sautter III Center for Strategic Communication). The College also has a Student Success team, including dedicated Career Services and Advising professionals who prepare students for the internship and job search process. Student projects and programs have recently received national recognition from PRSSA’s Bateman Competition, an Edward R. Murrow Award, several Marconi Award nominations, and College Television Awards (“Student Emmy” awards) from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The College is also home to the Center for Cooperative Media, which serves the public by working to grow and strengthen local journalism and media. Through $7.1M in grants awarded over the last five years, the Center focuses on collaboration in journalism, media equity, media coaching and training, civic science and research. The Center is also home to the NJ Civic Information Consortium, the largest funder of media and journalism in  New Jersey, granting more than $10M over the last five years to support independent local media, journalism and training initiatives.