#UDcommFUN: Summer 2015 Communications Internship: YES NETWORK, LLC

The YES Network is the exclusive television home of the 27-time World Champion New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Nets. YES, which has earned 346 Emmy Award nominations and 80 Emmy Awards since its 2002 launch, also televises original biography, interview and magazine programs, in addition to college sports. The company has been named the seventh-most valuable sports business brand in the world the past three years by Forbes.

Timeframe: May-August 2015

Pay: $10/hour

Location: Manhattan, New York

Submit resume to interns@yesnetwork.com, with “Summer 2015 Communications Intern” written in the Subject line

JOB DESCRIPTION

  • Work directly with the Vice President, Communications in the publicizing of the business and on-air activities of the YES Network
  •  Fulfill internal and external information requests
  • Review and identify newsworthy passages within YES shows for publicity purposes
  • Research and identify possible stories and other exposure opportunities for YES and its senior executives
  • Research, write and edit press releases, biographies, fact sheets, awards competition submissions and other press materials
  • Manage online media database and photo library
  • Research and maintain YES and industry ratings databases
  • Manage daily and ongoing article filing system

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

  • Must be a matriculating undergraduate student
  • Must be able to commute to YES’ New York City office
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills are necessary
  • Must possess excellent office demeanor
  • Must be meticulous, professional, responsive and resourceful
  • Must know how to conduct research over the Internet
  • Must be proficient in Word and Excel
  • Working knowledge of the business of sports, television and new media is preferred
  • Must have a genuine interest in the communications/public relations field

#UDcommFUN: 3 Tips to Make the Most of Your Crazy Schedule: Meredith Castellani

While preparing for job interviews, I practiced answering a number of questions. One that was particularly difficult for me to answer was: “What is your biggest weakness?” After much thought, I found my biggest weakness to be taking on too much responsibility at one time. However, looking back on my past experiences, this might also be my biggest strength. I now look at this “weakness” as being open to opportunity.

The past year has been a whirlwind of opportunity for me, and I could not be more grateful. Last semester, I was New Member Orientation Chair for my sorority, Alpha Xi Delta, which required managing and leading seventy-seven new members, all while balancing being Online Editor-in-Chief for UDress Magazine, the teaching assistant for COMM313 with Professor Bartoo, applying for summer internships, and managing my own school work. It is a miracle I made it out of that semester alive, let alone with my Honors Program GPA unscathed. I have to accredit my success to organization.

Here are some ways to stay organized amidst chaos this semester:

  • Plan ahead. At the beginning of each semester, write down all exams, due dates, events, and deadlines in a calendar. If you can anticipate what’s coming up next, you will be more likely to be graceful under pressure.

  • Utilize To-Do Lists. I make a to-do list religiously every day. I include even the smallest tasks on my lists, partially so I don’t forget and partially because crossing things off the list makes you feel productive! The more productive you feel, the more you will get done that day.

  • Prioritize. What is due at midnight? Tomorrow? Next week? Next month? Order to-do lists in this manner, so you get the most important and time sensitive items out of the way first. (Extra tip: Always ask for deadlines if they aren’t given to you initially!)

Bravo_TV.svgNot only does organization play a role in academic success, but it also makes applying for and maintaining internships more efficient. When looking to apply, I first list the ideal places I would like to work. Next, I check on application deadlines and requirements for each. Then, I research and customize each cover letter and resume. After submission, record the date you formally applied and plan when you will follow up. I recommend utilizing UD Career Services to help prepare for interviews! Taylor-Swift-Philadelphia-Style-Magazine-Cover

By following these steps, I have gained so many unique experiences through internships. My experience includes Masterpiece Advertising Design, Bravo and Oxygen Media at NBCUniversal, a handful of guest blogging gigs (Creative Multimedia Systems and most recently, Revel U), and currently, Philadelphia Style Magazine. I encourage any student to get as much hands-on internship experience as possible. Not only does it look impressive on resumes, but it will ignite the drive and passion in you necessary to be successful in all aspects of life!

Follow Meredith on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and her blog! 
Twitter: @meri_christmas & @mer_castellani
Instagram: @miss_a_meri_ca
Linkedin: Meredith Castellani

Tell Your Story: Scott Slotkin, Junior Editor for Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Scott Slotkin earned his bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Delaware in 2011. He minored in journalism and interactive media.

Currently, Slotkin is a Junior Editor for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Among his many responsibilities, he edits content for the show, as well as for the YouTube channel and other media outlets.

But that’s not all. first-promo-for-the-tonight-show-starring-jimmy-fallon-new-era-begins

Slotkin also works at ABC, where he edits reality shows and sizzles for the network’s development department. These sizzles are pitched to a variety of networks like HGTV, DIY, Discovery, A&E, TLC and others.

Prior to ABC, Slotkin was a Jr. Editor at MLB Network, where he won a Sports Emmy award for work on MLB Tonight, their daily live studio show. Before that, he worked at Starworks Group, a marketing and branding agency, in their Branded Entertainment department.

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Slotkin’s impressive career started in the heart of the First State, right here at the University of Delaware. While an undergraduate studying mass communication, Slotkin interned for a year at NBC10 in Philadelphia and also at Wired 96.5/92.5 WXTU. On campus, he was actively involved with the Student Television Network (STN 49 TV).

Pictured: Scott Slotkin holding his Sports Emmy award for his work on MLB Tonight. 

Photo source for Jimmy Fallon photo: Aceshowbiz.com

Tell Your Story: Keri Betters, senior communication major, runs for Homecoming Queen

Keri Betters, a senior interpersonal communication major, has been named a member of the University of Delaware Homecoming Court 2014.

Betters, who minors in interactive media and advertising and concentrates in public relations, is the second communication student in the past 2 years to represent the Department of Communication on Homecoming Court.

“I’m thrilled to represent the Department on Court,” Betters states. “Being a communication major has opened so many doors and given me many opportunities. It’s helped me find my passions in public relations and social media strategy. The classes and extra-curriculars have helped me develop into a professional and I’m eager to take my skills into the workforce after graduation.” BzIMNm-IIAEHlXS

As a 3-year member of PRSSA-UD, Betters has served as its program director, winning a YouDee Leadership Award for the Night With the Pros event she executed in Fall 2013. Now, she currently serves as PRSSA-UD’s public relations director, managing their 5 social media platforms, overseeing the Communications Committee, and mentoring four underclassmen via the Mentor-Mentee program.

Betters is also a Lambda Pi Eta Honors Society member, a sports sideline reporter for STN49 TV, a social media ambassador leader for UD’s Office of Communications and Marketing, a social media/marketing intern for UD Career Services Center, a social media independent study student with Professor Carolyn W. Bartoo, and content creator for the Department of Communication’s Facebook page and blog.

Throughout her campaign for Homecoming Queen, Betters has used a variety of communication skills she’s learned through COMM classes. She executed a social media campaign complete with a hashtag (#Keri4Queen) and Facebook event, created advertisements to pass out around campus, and filmed a video (with the help of STN49TV).

The video can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ila8Quc2QdY

UD undergraduates can vote all day on Friday, October 17, via the Homecoming website (www.udel.edu/UDHCvote/). The Homecoming King and Queen will be announced at halftime at the football game on Saturday, October 18.

Congratulations, Keri! The Department of Communication wishes you the best!

KATG1

#UDcommFUN: Sydney Scheiner’s Summer Experience as an Orientation Leader

It’s plain and very simple. Being a 2014 Orientation Leader has thus far been the greatest experience of my life. I didn’t expect this. I expected to have been fortunate enough to be hired to wave foam fingers in people’s faces. I thought I was getting paid to be (borderline obnoxiously) energetic about UD.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Being an OL was the most transformative, unparalleled and beautiful experience I have ever had and I was fortunate enough to do it with 21 incredible student leaders by my side. It was exhausting, but worth it, frightening, but challenging, and a yearlong journey, but over in a blink. Here are the top 5 things I learned throughout my time as an OL.

5. Orientation Leaders can have the same effect on each other that coffee does. We were up every morning at 5am. That’s right. At Trabant by 6:15. We had a morning meeting, we had our ritual pump-up chant and then we ate breakfast. By 7:15 we were expected to be in “Orientation Mode.” That would be: smiles on, energy way up, and ready to literally dance outside as a way to greet the students and families. A common question we got was, “How much coffee did you drink this morning?” The answer was always, “None. This is just our job.” Being surrounded by the OL’s created perpetual energy. We all fed off of each other and it never ran out. When one of us was slightly down, someone would swoop in and pick them back up. As a whole, we were a well-oiled machine crafted to create energy.

4. There’s something called the Fishbowl Effect. When you take on a leadership role (especially one where you meet all 4,000 incoming freshman), you are surrendering yourself to the Fishbowl Effect. This is the effect of everyone in the room watching you, even when you think no one is. The OL’s wear bright gold polo’s, so you really can’t miss us. We had to be aware that probably at any given moment, there was at least one pair of eyes on us. Those could be the eyes of our fellow Leaders, a student, or maybe a parent. Embracing the Fishbowl Effect has had a lasting impression on me. I’m now more aware of my everyday actions, like what I post on social media or how I express my opinions. The fun thing about being an OL is that we knew this, so we wanted all eyes on us so we could represent UD the best way we could.

3. There are a lot of meals you can make with chicken. After our first two weeks of training, we were left on our own for dinner. This was the first time I had to truly cook meals for myself. It’s pretty simple: Go on Pintrest. Bake at 350. Add asparagus or something.

2. Other people share your thoughts, and even your fears. We had this amazing thing called Retreat. You may have been on one before. What I learned at the OL retreat is that I am not alone, and therefore, neither is anyone else. I was able to share stories with my team because I knew they could identify with me. Some people told me they were feeling the same way I did, for example, about the pressures of being a leader. This was one of the first times I expressed some feelings I had with a group of people and what I have taken away from it is that I’ll never be afraid to share feelings again. There are people who are feeling the same way you are. It sounds cliché, but you truly will never know you are not alone until you consciously choose not to be. I was so pleasantly surprised by the responses I got and it truly changed my life.

Finally…

5. Trust the process. This would probably be the most important thing I learned during my time as an OL. I used to find myself thinking about the third step before I even completed the first, resulting only in me being overwhelmed. Worry only about the first thing you need to complete and then progress from there. You don’t always need to know the end result. If people you trust surround you, then trust that what you are doing will turn out the way it is meant to. Trust your co-workers, trust your instincts.

——

Sydney Scheiner is a junior, Interpersonal Communications Major from Old Bridge, NJ. She is one of the Student Coordinators for the Office of New Student Orientation, a Blue Hen Ambassador and also serves as the Program Director for the University of Delaware Chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America. She loves anything related to coffee or music.

Want to apply to be an Orientation Leader?
Applications are now available at www.udel.edu/students/nso/
Applications close at 4:00pm on October 15th. 
 
For more information, stop by the kiosk in Trabant from 11-2 on Tuesday, October 14th.

 

#UDcommPR: 7 PRSSA-UD Representatives Will Attend PRSSA 2014 National Conference

The following blog post was written by Natalie Hines, senior mass communication major and current president of PRSSA-UD. Read further for exciting news!

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Hi, my name is Natalie Hines and I am the president of the Public Relations Student Society of America Chapter at the University of Delaware, an award-winning and nationally recognized Chapter throughout the organization.

We are pleased and fortunate to announce that we will be sending seven members of our Chapter to attend the PRSSA 2014 National Conference from October 10 to October 13 in Washington D.C. The conference’s theme this year is titled, “Intersections: The Meeting Place of Communications and Culture.” PRSSA-UD representatives include:

Natalie Hines, Senior, Mass Communication (President)

Keri Betters, Senior, Interpersonal Communication (Public Relations Director)

Laura Hepp, Junior, Mass Communication (VP of Professional Development)

Allison Lane, Junior, Interpersonal Communication (Meetings Coordinator)

Allie Kory, Junior, Mass Communication (Operations Director)

Katherine Bartell, Sophomore, Communication Interest (Finance/Fundraising Director)

Julie Millisky, Sophomore, Communication Interest (General member)

The National Conference is the largest annual event gathering public relations inspired students from an array of colleges and universities. Students arrive ready to network not only with public relations professionals from across the country, but with their future colleagues; other PRSSA members.

Professionals lead a variety of sessions tailored to several types of public relations including sports, healthcare, restaurant and corporate communications. Other leadership workshops, career exhibitions and celebrations bring the brightest public relations students together for a weekend of a lifetime.

PRSSA-UD and our generous sponsors have allowed me to attend two national events; PRSSA 2014 National Assembly and PRSSA 2013 National Conference. These experiences have truly shaped my professional and personal career goals. I have witnessed the personal success students achieve when they arrive in a new city, meet other PRSSA students and make connections with professionals. To say National Conference has changed my life would be a sincere and honest statement.

We would like to thank our sponsors who provided scholarships for seven young professional women attending National Conference this year. They include:

Please view our sponsor video from last year! To follow the event, join the conversation via social media with the hashtag, #PRSSANC, and follow our Chapter on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit our website, www.prssaud.com.