OHIO students learn more about career opportunities during visit to New York City

OHIO students wait outside and hold a sign that says "OU? Oh Yeah! OHIO Bobcats in NYC"

Ohio University students traveled to New York City recently to meet with business and industry leaders, talk with alumni and take part in wide range of important learning experiences.

The 24 students, who are all part of the Scripps College of Communication, visited New York City in early May. During the last half of the spring semester, the students met weekly to prepare for the experience.

The students, who represented all five of the schools in the Scripps College of Communication, engaged with professionals from corporate communications, public relations, journalism and various aspects of media production in New York.

“This program gives Ohio University students a chance to explore a wide range of career options and see all of the creative energy there,” explained Greg Newton, professor in the School of Media Arts and Studies in the Scripps College. He led the trip with Erin Roberts, director of student development, and Andrea Lewis, director of student media.

OHIO students walk through a doorway where the wall says Food Network Kitchen

Meeting with industry leaders, seeing professionals at work and taking part in programs like this allows students to develop a deeper and richer understanding of the subjects they are studying, Newton said.

“One of the things I most enjoyed this time was students experiencing things in areas outside their major and coming away with an expanded view of what’s possible for them,” Newton said.

The businesses and organizations that the OHIO group met with included:

Audacy
Warner Bros. Discovery
Business Insider
NBA
Wall Street Journal
Dow Jones
Barron’s
Google
Leanna Šiupinys (a freelance photographer and lighting designer)

The students also visited the television programs, “The Today Show,” and “The View,” saw a performance of the musical “Chicago,” and took part in an Ohio University alumni event.

OHIO students talk with alumni at a social event in New York City

This was the first year for the Scripps in New York program, and it was also the first time many of the students had been to New York City.

“I was so happy with how the experience went and I couldn’t be prouder of this group,” Newton said. The students represented Ohio University very well and Newton heard from several alumni who told him they were impressed with the students’ knowledge and professionalism.

OHIO students share their thoughts on the Scripps in New York program

An OHIO student takes a selfie photo with a phone with the New York skyline in the background

Several Ohio University students also shared their thoughts on the trip and what they learned from the experience.

“Applying for this trip was completely out of my comfort zone considering I’d never been to New York City before. Now I look back at this trip, and it genuinely has been a highlight of my time in college,” student Nikki Hartman said. She was grateful for the opportunity to network with people working in careers she may enter into after graduation, and she made strong relationships with her fellow OHIO students.

“My favorite part of the trip was being able to see how wherever you go, there will be a Bobcat,” Hartman added. “Going to such a big city, I wasn’t expecting to see as many OHIO alumni as we did, all these successful people that were once in my place gave me a huge boost of confidence. “

OHIO student Parker Jendrysik enjoyed how students from different majors in the Scripps College brought different skills and perspectives to the trip while they each developed a better understanding about career opportunities after graduation.

“As the media industry is always evolving, being in a city like New York was a great opportunity to connect with leading companies like Google and Dow Jones to truly understand what the industry expects from their staff,” Jendrysik said. “As I go into my senior year, the advice we received from alumni and media professionals will be a huge factor when I begin my job hunt and postgraduate career. “

OHIO student Nyla Gilbert said she enjoyed visiting the media offices in New York and talking with media professionals in different fields about their work experiences.

“I think it really helped me understand the options that are there for me after graduation,” Gilbert said.

OHIO students sit around a large table with business representatives at a meeting in New York City

OHIO student Katy Cox said that her favorite part of the trip was meeting with OHIO alumni in New York City.

“It was amazing to meet a group of people who range widely in the media landscape,” Cox said. “Everyone had slightly different journeys that brought them to New York City. Many of them gave very practical, useful advice about communications and what it took to get them where they are now.”

Cox was grateful that the cost for the program was affordable, and said the trip gave her a much better understanding of job opportunities for when she graduates.

“The trip also helped to make me more confident in a big city. The biggest city I had visited before this trip was Columbus,” Cox said. “Due to being from a small town near Athens, I have always been a little nervous at the prospect, but I found myself comfortable and enjoying myself in the city in a way I had not expected.”

You can find more information on the Scripps in New York program here.