Ciara Rolle-Harris thought she had landed the gig of her dreams when she was hired as an intern at HBO. Turns out, it was only the beginning.<\/p>\n
Since her freshman year at Montclair State University, Rolle-Harris has shown gumption in pursuing a series of prestigious placements. This year, as a junior, she has interned at MTV\/VH1 and the Wellmont Theater in Montclair.<\/p>\n
She also caught the attention of Forbes<\/em>, which recognized her accomplishments with an invitation to the Forbes<\/em> Under 30 Summit that connects A-list speakers with young leaders who show the entrepreneurial spirit of its 30 Under 30 list. \u201cI\u2019m 20, so in 10 years, I think I can do it,\u201d she says, only half-joking.<\/p>\n On May 6, she was one of 14 students receiving the New York Women in Communications scholarship as part of the industry\u2019s Matrix Awards. <\/em>\u201cA lot of things that I’ve done in the past year have felt surreal,\u201d Rolle-Harris says.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Each year, Montclair State students participate in a wide variety of hands-on learning experiences that jumpstart careers, including co-ops, internships, fieldwork, practicums, externships, student teaching and faulty-led research. Rolle-Harris has taken part in mock interviews and credits the advice she has received in helping her stand out among other applicants.<\/p>\n Career counseling, resume advice, workshops and employer networking are all part of the mix, says Victoria Nauta, director of Career Services for the College of the Arts. \u201cHire a Red Hawk,\u201d the University\u2019s career services platform, helps students manage and track their professional development, and connects students with employers looking to fill their full-time, part-time and internship positions.<\/p>\n \u201cI’m just so grateful,\u201d Rolle-Harris says, \u201cthat I’m able to work as a student but then follow people and shadow people who I one day want to be.\u201d<\/p>\n