College Experiences That Helped a Media Analyst at Variety Intelligence Platform Succeed
Tyler's success stemmed from cultivating strong relationships with professors and writers, "forming relationships and connections" which led to internship opportunities; dedication to academic work, exemplified by a challenging documentary project, also honed crucial skills like meeting deadlines and prioritizing tasks, proving invaluable in a fast-paced career.
Networking, Communication, Media Production, Journalism, Time Management
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Tyler Aquilina
Media Analyst
Variety Intelligence Platform
Loyola Marymount University
None
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Data and Analytics
Honors Student
Video Highlights
1. Build relationships with professors and professionals in your field. Networking can lead to internships and job opportunities.
2. Take initiative and work on passion projects, like Tyler's documentary. This demonstrates dedication and helps build a portfolio.
3. Be prepared to work hard and manage multiple priorities. Deadlines and juggling tasks are common in this career path.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
Forming relationships and connections was one of the biggest things that helped me succeed. I formed a strong relationship with a journalism professor, which led to a connection that helped me get my first internship. It opened the door for an interview, which then led to the internship itself. Being able to link your connections together like that is very important.
I also established a relationship with a writer I admired who worked for Entertainment Weekly. I read his work for years and, through interacting on Twitter, we got to know each other a little. I met him in person once and then reached out to him about internship opportunities at EW. He connected me with the person in charge of internships there, which is how I got that position.
I cannot overstate the importance of having and establishing relationships and connections, and taking advantage of those you may already have. Don't be afraid to reach out to someone you know, as they might be able to help you get your foot in the door. This is huge, especially when you're just starting out and nobody knows who you are. Any relationship that can help you, lead to something else, or lead to another relationship is incredibly valuable.
I would also say being dedicated to my work was important. Doing the work in college was crucial. The short documentary I did on student activism at LMU was enjoyable in terms of the work and the subject matter. It was difficult to balance with my other work, but being dedicated to getting it done really helped prepare me for being constantly on deadline and juggling priorities. That is another thing that helped set me up for success.
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