Live on the air: Berkeley College Media and Marketing students learn in production studios from leading professionals

Learning doesn’t just take place in the classroom at Berkeley College. Case in point: Students in the Applied Media and Marketing degree programs recently took an excursion to learn about broadcast production in the studios of one of the nation’s leading media firms. They also shadowed managers from multiple departments during a live broadcast, observing the dynamics and roles within a media studio.

This is just another example of how Berkeley College incorporates experiential learning into its proven career-focused degree and certificate programs that have been preparing students for success since 1931.

Aligning with the Berkeley College mission:
Empowering each student to achieve lifelong success

“Berkeley collaborates with industry-leading professionals, executives, and thought leaders, ensuring students engage with outstanding presenters who provide valuable insights into current industry trends and expectations, emphasized Dr. Diane Recinos, President of Berkeley College. “Our focus on experiential learning aligns with Berkeley's mission of empowering each student to achieve lifelong success by equipping them with practical skills, networking opportunities, and real-world, hands-on experiences.”

Networking opportunities for professional growth

Dr. Recinos continued, “Experiential learning exposes students to the opportunity to work firsthand with industry professionals and engage in hands-on tasks that introduce them to various career pathways. These experiences also provide valuable opportunities to build their resumes and network with industry leaders, cultivating meaningful connections that support their professional growth.”

Program name change reflects the exciting career possibilities

The aforementioned Applied Media program is in the process of being renamed as “Media Communications.” The change is more descriptive of the breadth of the skills taught in the program and the career paths for which it prepares students. And of course, experiential learning will play an integral part.

Exposure to exciting media experiences

Berkeley students took part in in Berkeley’s “Mentors-in-Media” initiative held at the New York headquarters of iHeart Media, America’s number one audio company. Students toured iHeart’s facilities, which are home to radio stations such as Z100, Power 105.1, and others. They also interacted with two panels of media professionals, and shadowed radio hosts during live broadcasts. This interactive practicum also offered students a behind-the-scenes look at a range of potential careers.

“Students experienced an exciting firsthand view of this vibrant corporate entertainment culture,” noted Dr. Gregory Hotchkiss, Faculty Lead of the Applied Media program.

A look at all aspects of the industry

The event offered students valuable hands-on experience in media entertainment, communication, and marketing. Panelists and presenters from iHeart Media included managers from Sales, Consumer Experiences, Brand Activation, and Employee and Recruitment Engagement, as well as associates involved in promotions event planning, web content development, and other operations areas.

“At Berkeley College we strive to bridge the gap between academia and industry, providing students with exciting experiential practicum opportunities,” said Panagiota Babadelis, Senior Director, Marketing and Communications, who developed and launched the Mentors in Media initiative. “Partnerships go far beyond advertising dollars. They are built on trust, communication, purpose, and commitment to growth. We are grateful as we approach two decades with iHeartMedia, as our journey continues to evolve in innovation and strategic collaboration through creativity and data-driven decisions. Together, we continue to redefine what is possible for higher education through the power of media.”

“Students learned about live broadcast production, gaining first-hand experience by shadowing a live broadcast, observing the dynamics and roles within a media studio,” Babadelis continued. “They also build an understanding of corporate media culture by exploring the business and networking culture of media, entertainment and marketing, focusing on company structure, corporate values, networking connections, and work environment.”

Exploring career options

“In addition, students benefit from exposure to diverse career pathways, discovering the various career options within the media and communications industry, highlighted by roles in production, marketing, writing, and management,” Babadelis added. “They also get important information about the recruitment process within the media business, gaining insights on how to position themselves effectively for future job opportunities. Overall, these experiences help prepare students for successful careers in the dynamic field of media communication, equipping them with essential skills, knowledge, and ethical considerations.”

Victoria Mancuso, who works in Brand Partnerships and Integrated Media for iHeartRadio, stated that iHeart was very “excited to collaborate with Berkeley College to empower the next generation of media professionals. Mentors in Media Day was a fantastic opportunity for students to gain insights and guidance from industry leaders, fostering the skills and connections they need to succeed in the ever-evolving media landscape.”

A chance to talk with legendary voices of radio

Following the panel discussions, Applied Media majors were given two exclusive opportunities to shadow disc jockeys on live broadcasts. Prominent hosts Angie Martinez, featured on Power 105.1 and known as “The Voice of NY,” and Crystal Rosas of Z100 showed students the ropes of professional radio broadcasting. Students learned various aspects of production, live broadcast protocols, air checks, and were even able to interact with live listeners over the waves.

Rosas expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share the studio with Berkeley students, noting “It’s taken me a long time to have the opportunity to get on these Z100 airwaves and seeing the looks on the faces of Berkeley College students while watching me do my job live is a memory I’ll never forget. It brought me back to that passion and fire I had for big opportunities when I was in college and the energy and hunger, I felt when the students came in makes me even more grateful to work with Berkeley.”

Additional insights into the business of entertainment

Partnering with ForbesBLK, an organization that champions a global community of Black entrepreneurs, professionals, leaders and creators that are driving systematic change in business, culture and society, students from the Larry L. Luing School of Business® had the opportunity to visit their midtown Manhattan studios located in the NASDAQ building in Manhattan. The insightful industry experience included one-to-one sessions with recording artist and business mogul Fat Joe and the management team from Terror Squad Productions, the record label he founded. While there, students we also able to tour NASDAQ headquarters.

Practical, powerful career preparation

At Berkeley College, theory and practice combine for an education that truly prepares students for the real world. In addition to internships, which are offered in many programs, the hands-on knowledge gained through experiential learning complements the rigorous classroom instruction for a well-rounded foundation to launch a career.

Dr. Recinos concluded, “Berkeley College stands out by including hands-on learning through its curriculum, giving students real-world experience through internships, projects, and fieldwork to help them succeed in the job market.”

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The views and/or opinions in this article are those of the individuals interviewed. The academic achievements and/or employment outcomes described in this article are specific to each individual and are not a guarantee of similar results for past or current students. For up-to-date and detailed information, please visit BerkeleyCollege.edu and view our catalogs at BerkeleyCollege.edu/publications.