October 31, 2024
Students, faculty, and industry representatives from New York City’s creative sector gathered on October 30th for the inaugural Media Arts and Technology (MEA) Internship Discovery Day at BMCC’s Fiterman Hall. The event focused on providing students with information about internships, apprenticeships, and other employment opportunities within animation, motion graphics, video arts, media programming, and graphic design.
Panelists from Google, Omnicom Group, and The One Club for Creativity spoke at the event. Students also had access to resume assistance, professional headshots, and information about various career pathways. The event highlighted the connections between classroom learning and practical application in the industry.
BMCC’s Media Arts and Technology department participates in the CUNY Inclusive Economy (CIE) Initiative, a partnership between the New York City Mayor’s office and CUNY. Susan Stratton, the CIE Industry Specialist for the Media Arts department, explained that the event was organized by students in the MEA Internship Program called Career Connected Learning (CCL). Students from the Animation and Motion Graphics (ANI), Video Arts and Technology (VAT), and Multimedia Programming and Design (MMD) majors all took part.
Alex Vasquez, a CIE Hybrid Academic Career Advisor, emphasized the importance of the Internship Discovery Day for students at all stages of their academic journey. “For students who started in the fall, it is a great motivator to explore potential careers within their major and highlights the importance of getting a head start on their resumes and portfolios,” said Vasquez. “For second-year students, the focus shifts to making meaningful connections with industry partners, allowing them to showcase their unique qualities beyond what’s on paper.”
Adrienne Lucas, Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Strategic Partnerships at The One Club for Creativity, was a guest panelist at the event. She said that events like this are vital for making students aware of opportunities in the creative industry. She also noted that many advertising agencies still look to traditional methods in talent acquisition, despite costs associated with portfolio schools. “Not everyone has the funds to go to those schools and not everyone has awareness that these schools even exist.” she said.
Lucas also pointed out that community colleges, like BMCC, are rich with talent, representing the diversity of New York City, and that these students could positively impact advertising campaigns. “Community colleges are a microcosm of New York City, which is a melting pot, where we have people from all different backgrounds, and when we think about the work we do as advertisers, we’re trying to represent the community, and so who better to work on these campaigns than people who are representative of these communities,” said Lucas.
Nashiem Johnson, President of the Career Connected Learning Club (CCL), co-led the event. Johnson is currently pursuing a Digital Marketing apprenticeship at Google and recently completed an internship at StoryCorps. They reflected on how their experience at StoryCorps set them up for their current role at Google.
“The hands-on experience I gained at StoryCorps prepared me well for this role, especially through practical applications of by BMCC coursework,” said Johnson. “Working with real data, producing marketing content, and analyzing campaign impact at StoryCorps allowed me to expand on skills I’d learned in class. These experiences have definitely strengthened my readiness for the career I want to pursue.” In five years, Johnson hopes to be pursuing a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, using his marketing and analytical experience to make a difference.
Litzy Tapia, a CCL Club secretary, has loved creating art and telling stories ever since childhood. She said she found her perfect match in the Animation and Motion Graphics program at BMCC.
“In addition to the CCL Club connecting MEA students with internships at various creative organizations, we also organize field trips and help with resumes, biographies and portfolios,” said Tapia. “In five years, I see myself working at an animation studio. CCL has helped me build on that dream. They’ve taken me on field trips including to the animation studio Titmouse where I was able to connect with various animators, talk with them and learn more about their industry and how to actually apply for position there as well.”
