As the academic year comes to a close, Klein College of Media and Communication graduates are not only celebrating their long-awaited academic milestone, but also their impressive professional achievements. Several students have locked in career opportunities before and during the current COVID-19 pandemic and while some of them have already started, others must wait for improved circumstances. Whatever their case, internalizing the Temple University motto “Perseverance Conquers” has made these graduates grateful for the prospect of employment amidst the uncertainty of these times.
Vincent Gonzales ‘20 received something of a head start on his job search. The advertising major earned an associate copywriter position with Digitas Health, the first globally connected health agency. After the agency he interned with during his spring semester informed him that they would not be able to keep him on through the summer due to financial difficulties, Gonzales applied to as many regional advertising jobs as possible, including a coveted spot at Digitas. One of his professors who formerly worked for Digitas encouraged Gonzales to keep his eyes on the employment prize, even bringing a top representative at Digitas to class as a guest speaker. Gonzales connected with her, and she assured him that his persistence would land him a spot at the agency. Two interviews in February and early April secured his position, which he started remotely in mid-April. It also helped that after his first interview, which was over Skype, he bought and dropped off donuts for his interviewers to make a great first impression. He says that his penchant to “never stop” is the key to his success.
“Even though times are crazy right now, it might be advantageous to still treat it like things are normal,” he advises. “I’m not meaning like go and hang out at [a potential employer’s] office and try and talk to them in person, but don’t let the current times discourage you.”
Graduating students across Klein’s six majors are looking forward to what their new positions will teach them. Jesse Lankeaux ‘20 begins his position with the New York City-based health agency Havas Health Plus in mid-May, which he will start remotely from the comfort of his home in Long Island. The advertising major was notified of his acceptance at the end of March and is excited to build a relationship with his coworkers — even if it is virtual. After all, networking was a crucial component of his job offer; reaching out to professionals and alumni on LinkedIn and discussing his career goals with colleagues helped him gain his position at Havas. Using tools like LinkedIn is easier than ever now that digital technology and remote work are experiencing an uptick. He says that working from home is not what he expected to do but he is “looking forward to the challenge.”
“I feel like it’s easier to make a connection and get your foot in the door by having a conversation with somebody rather than just sending in a résumé for a recruiter to look at along with 500 résumés in the system,” he says.
The road ahead is less clear for students with jobs that require travel, but they are taking it in stride. Ron Channey ‘20, a communication studies major, is slated to start a teaching position with the Japanese Exchange and Teaching Program USA (JET), an initiative headed by the Japanese government that recruits English speaking professionals to teach English in Japanese public schools or work in similar educational settings. Due to the precautionary measures in place for COVID-19 prevention, the program placement has been postponed until further notice. Channey, who lived in Japan for a year and studied Japanese before and during his time at Temple, is as prepared as he can be for when he does leave for Japan. He says that his time at Klein is a part of his confidence.
“I know now is like a crazy time, but I highly encourage people to think past working in the United States and kind of like...where else could they see themselves and try to think globally and internationally. Because I know that’s something that Klein really tries to push on us and I think that it had a little bit of an effect on me,” he says.
Other graduates have or will take on a wide variety of professional positions, while some are still on the hunt or are taking a well-deserved break from work. Graduates are encouraged to remember that the completion of their degree is an accomplishment in and of itself, and that wherever life leads them, their “Temple Made” reputation precedes them.