The annual New York Career Intensive invites SOC students to travel to New York City for three days of professional exploration and extensive networking. Students have the opportunity to meet with AU alumni working in the city and get an inside glimpse into the day-to-day life of a communications professional. Past site visits have included CNN, Edeleman/United Entertainment Group (UEG), MWW PR, Nickelodeon, The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones, and NBC Universal. SOC spoke to students Angelina Szkotak (SOC/BA ‘25 /MA ‘26), Lauren Gersten (SOC/BA ‘26), William Rogers (SOC/BA ‘25) and Samantha Noland (SOC/MFA ‘25)  about their experiences and highlights from the trip. 

How did you learn about the New York Intensive? What drew you to apply?
Angelina: I had been seeing the NYC Intensive signs all around SOC and hearing about it in different classes, and I just felt compelled to apply. It seemed like such an incredible opportunity to get an inside look at the communications industry. I wanted to understand what the day-to-day really looks like, beyond what we learn in the classroom, and this felt like the perfect chance to do that.

Lauren: I am originally from Los Angeles and have been obsessed with living in New York City almost my whole life! I also love television and getting to see the studios where some of the best shows ever created (Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock!!) were filmed was a dream. New York is a huge hub for PR and the Comms industry, and I wanted to start making connections that I can foster through the end of my junior year into my senior year, and hopefully continue to get advice and keep these great relationships going.

Who were some of the alums you met on the trip? What did you take away from meeting them?
Samantha: We met with a plethora of alumni including the famous and incredible Susan Zirinsky of CBS News. She has had an incredible career and told us all about her path from breaking news as an intern of the Saturday Night Massacre all the way to creating documentary films today for CBS. We also had meetings at FOX news with multiple alumni including Trey Yingst who recently won an award for his reporting on Israel and Palestine. He is quite young and has already accomplished a lot which was inspiring.

William: We met plenty of alumni in both the journalistic and communications world, particularly producers at Paramount to Fox News and even AMC Network. One of the key things taken back from their own experiences is the importance of the alumni network when navigating with tenacity and guidance in a professional world that is so meticulous and selective. 

Did anything surprise you about the trip?
Lauren: I think when you think of networking events, it seems daunting and awkward, but it was truly the best time. Everyone that went on the trip was super excited to get to know each other and help each other network with alumni/speakers that we met. I became close with the people who were on the trip with me and still talk to them all the time and reminisce about being in NY. The first day of the intensive, we went to dinner with a bunch of awesome AU alums and just got to chat with them about their jobs, our interests, and what it is like to work in the city. That dinner was for sure some of the most fun I had on the trip! Something else that surprised me was how open and willing alumni/speakers were about connecting us with people in their teams and or at their company. I really felt the support of the AU Alumni community through these conversations and connections. We had the opportunity to join the EMAA (Entertainment and Media Alumni Alliance) Reception and everyone was so kind and wanted to chat!

How did the trip align with your career goals? Did you learn anything about what’s in the future for you?
Angelina: This trip opened my eyes to so many different areas of the industry. We got to visit places like NBC and CBS Mornings, which gave us a glimpse into the world of broadcast news. We also spent time at PR agencies and independent firms, and had the chance to talk one-on-one with people working in those spaces. I realized how much this AU Alumni community cares about our school and all the current students. They spent their late nights or early mornings with us and they took the time to speak with us, answer our questions, and genuinely showed that they care. It was clear they wanted to help us learn and grow, and that made the whole experience even more meaningful.

William: My initial intention was to not only get a better professional glimpse of how NYC would be like, but how extensive the world of film is presented. I did get the opportunity to sit down with members of AMC Network and even some independent filmmakers, each providing their own perspectives. I am very much optimistic about a potential professional career in NYC and considering recent trends within the film industry in the U.S., the city alone will emerge as a major hub for it. 

What is your favorite memory from the trip?
William: My favorite experience of the intensive was the opportunity to speak with producers at Paramount. Not only did we get a behind the scenes look at the CBS Morning Show, but we got to see Robert De Niro leaving the set after an interview. Additionally, we had the pleasure of listening to Susan Zirinsky breaking down her career including discussing matters of journalism today. 

Samantha: My favorite memory is when we went to the set of SNL which is one of my all-time favorite shows ever! It was really cool seeing the space where the show is filmed and imagining what it’s like to be a cast member.  I have always had a dream of being “SLN” (my initials) on SNL.

What advice would you give to a student considering going on the trip?
Angelina: Do it! It's such an impactful experience, and you’ll walk away with new connections, insights, and memories. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, and definitely take the time to get to know the people you're traveling with. It’s fun, eye-opening, and you’ll learn so much more than you expect. Take the chance, you won’t regret it.