All of the December 2022 Ohio University graduates who worked at WOUB Public Media as students already have jobs in the industry

All three of the Ohio University December graduates who worked at WOUB Public Media while they were in college already have full-time jobs in the media industry. The statistic is a testament to the career launching power of the hands-on professional training that students gain at WOUB.

“WOUB gives students the opportunity to take what they learn in the college classroom and apply it in a real-world setting at a professional media outlet,” said WOUB General Manager Mark Brewer. “The students work at a PBS and NPR member station that is providing important educational, news, information and entertainment services to a 55-county, three-state region. Having the opportunity to hone their craft with professional guidance while gaining experience is invaluable as they start their careers.”

Curtis Feder, a journalism news and information major, accepted a position as sports anchor at KGAN TV in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Andrew Mollenkopf, an integrated media major, accepted a position as operations technician at NBC 4 TV in Columbus, and Jacob Innis, an integrated media major, accepted a position as a news photographer/editor at WSAZ TV in Charleston/Huntington, West Virginia.

Most of the December 2022 graduates were placed in full-time jobs thanks to the WOUB Job Connection Program. The program was created by two former WOUB students, Doug Drew, BSC ‘78 and Mike Rausch, a non-degree journalism alumnus. It leverages the relationships of former WOUB students in the media industry to build partnerships between WOUB and media companies looking for graduating college students to fill journalism and media production positions at their stations across the country. As a result, recruiters from TEGNA, Gray Television, the E.W. Scripps Company and NBC 4 TV in Columbus visited campus during Fall Semester to interview students for paid internships and full-time positions.

“WOUB gave me the experience and connections I needed to start my career with confidence,” said Innis.

“I am very grateful for the opportunities WOUB provided to hone my skills as a journalist and great mentors like David Forster and Aaron Payne (WOUB Newsroom professional staff members),” said Feder.

“WOUB has industry standard technology,” said Mollenkopf. “My experience at WOUB is without a doubt the reason I landed this position.”

“Prospective students, high school teachers with whom we work, and hiring managers are always impressed with the opportunity that our students have in the Scripps College of Communication to gain hands-on experiences at WOUB Public Media their first day of classes and throughout first semester,” said Dean Scott Titsworth. “There are many colleges and universities that offer production experience, but they limit those opportunities to upperclassmen.”

“We are thrilled for this year’s graduates and are excited to see them take what they have learned from Ohio University and WOUB and apply it to their new media jobs,” said Brewer.

Visit our website to learn more about the opportunities available for students at WOUB Public Media.