The Department of Communication Studies hosted an alumni panel and networking event on April 7 in the Kendall Hall TV Studio. The panelists reflected on their TCNJ experience and career paths post-graduation, and represented a variety of fields within communications, offering different perspectives and opportunities to the students in attendance.
Meaghan Kenny ’19 began the presentation by discussing her experience in mass media and social media. Kenny works as an associate commerce editor at Conde Nast Traveller, a luxury travel magazine publishing both print and digital content. She attributes her apprenticeship experience to how she landed her current role. Kenny described how she took temporary positions and asked her connections for further job opportunities. She said she kick started her career by “taking a risk on something temporary and just getting my start that way.”
Jessica Johnson ’16 and Pat Lavery ‘09 both specialize in digital filmmaking and television. Johnson is a prime-time Emmy-nominated casting director who currently works as development casting director for ITV America. Lavery is editor for MJH Life Science and freelancer writer for The Mortgage NoteLavery, who has previous experience serving as an anchor, reporter and producer for New Jersey 101.5, highlights his time at WTSR 91.3 FM for preparing him for his career in broadcast radio.
Kathryn La Capria ’20 specializes in emerging communication technology and is a research teaching specialist at the Rutgers Center for Tobacco Studies. La Capria will join the Communication Studies faculty this fall as an adjunct professor, teaching new media and health communication. She gained experience in health communications as a student working on projects, such as Alcohol Awareness Programs with Associate Professor of Communication Studies Yifeng Hu. to create.
Kristen Kiernicki ’09 covers Health and Wellness Reporting as an Associate Director, clinical content at BioPharm Communications. In her role, Kiernicki manages a team of medical writers. She advises upcoming writers and journalists to give smaller agencies a try, emphasizing how you make more interpersonal connections at smaller agencies.
Daliah Ouedraogo ’21 shared her personal experience in interpersonal and strategic communication. Ouedraogo said she “fell into” communications and is currently on track to finish a master’s degree from Villanova University and begin a Ph.D. program in communication, culture and media studies at Howard University. She is interested in health communication research tailored to minority communities.
– Jose Magana Flores