As a senior media producer and two-time graduate of Mason (’03, ’05), Professor Schmeidler often shares anecdotes from his own experiences in the classroom and searching for his first “big break” after graduation. This fall, he invited three recent graduates of the Media Production and Criticism program to speak on their own experiences gaining internships and employment post-graduation. Ricky Chang (’23), Gabby McGlockton (’23) and David Boyars (’21) candidly shared their experiences via a Zoom call with students in Professor Schmeidler’s course, COMM 208 Introduction to Media Production. The attending class prepared a list of over 40 questions for the panel that their professor helped cut down to a final list of ten. Professor Schmeidler moderated the discussion, which was wide-ranging and comprehensive with the panel explaining their internship and job search processes, thoughts on how to prepare for a job interview, skills they've learned on the job, what it’s like working in an office environment, how their production classes in college prepared them for the workplace, and their words of advice for current college students.
The session was inspiring and motivating for the students with several commenting on the graduates’ preparation and professionalism during the discussion. One student remarked they had thought the panel had ten years or more experience working in the industry and was surprised to learn they had just recently graduated. Another student said that after hearing these stories they were inspired to take greater creative risks with their class projects and were more motivated to start searching for work before graduation. Professor Schmeidler noted that the panel set high standards for the students and are a wonderful example of what it means to be #MasconCOMM and a Mason Patriot.
Watch on the #MasonCOMM YouTube page:
Producer Forum | Getting Started in Media Production
October 09, 2023