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Student Spotlight
Colin Taylor
Major: Television and Film ArtsExpected Graduation Month & Year: December 2021
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Desired Career Path: To one day write and direct my own feature films.
- What was your experience like searching for and securing an internship/part-time/full-time job/community involvement during the pandemic?
- I started looking for an internship in the fall of 2019. My professor Jeffrey Hirschberg pushed the idea of a letter writing campaign. The idea behind it is essentially writing a letter to 300 different companies in New York and mailing them out to each of them. Out of the 300 letters sent, a good amount will get back to you. That’s what happened to me. I was able to arrange an in-person meeting in New York City with the company Broadway Video. I got lucky with the woman I sent a letter to. She turned out to be from Buffalo and loved the fact that I wrote them a letter. I instantly made an impression on her and she offered me an internship for the spring semester.
- Where did you intern/do you work? (organization name and location)
- I Worked at Broadway Video in New York City.
- Share any accomplishments, successes, positive experiences during your experience.
- While I was in New York, I got to experience what it was like to live in the city. It was a brand-new experience for me and I loved it. Something about being in the city made me feel like I could do anything if I put my mind to it. I was able to visit the set of TV shows and see what a professional set is like. I did a lot of research projects as well, opening me up on how to go about finding information and who to look for. Another thing I did that was surprisingly really fun was delivering mail. I am a big fan of the show ‘Saturday Night Live’ and my internship was in Rockefeller Plaza, the same building as ‘SNL.’ So sometimes I was tasked to deliver mail to ‘SNL’ and see their offices and studio which was a dream come true. However, in March COVID hit and changed everything. I was sent home and had to work remotely. I was still doing research projects but I wasn’t in the city and in that environment. I had to look at things in a more positive light. It took a little bit for me to adjust to the new way of things, but when I got used to it I made it work. I was able to have weekly meetings with my supervisor and the whole staff. It was nice to get to see their faces. Working during the pandemic really helped me stand out to them. I realized that what they needed from me, especially now, was to be there and do a good job. Every project they gave me I did it above and beyond. I wanted them to know that they were a priority to me and I was gonna be there for them during this confusing and difficult time. I think I succeeded in doing that.
- In what ways did the Career and Professional Education Center (CAPE) help in your preparation/search? (workshops, event, 1-on-1 services, BengalLink/other resources)
- What was your experience with the CAPE?
- Would you recommend the CAPE to a friend?
- I did not use the Career and Professional Education Center to help me find an internship.
- Words of wisdom you would like to share with other students?
- Some advice I would like to give to students is, don’t be afraid to take risks. I could have easily not taken a risk with this internship and I wouldn’t have the experiences I do now. The worst thing anyone can honestly say to you is “no.” Once you accept the fact that people are gonna say no to you, your life will be a lot easier. Another piece of advice I would give is, everything happens for a reason. It is really easy to approach the pandemic in a negative way and say things like, “I can’t believe this is happening to me.” However, it’s better to look at a situation and say, “This is happening, now let’s figure out why.” Going into any situation with a positive mindset will allow you to come out of it on top.
- Desired career plans after graduation?
- My desired career path is to one day write and direct my own feature films. I am currently writing a film with my writing partner, Louie Visone, and we plan on filming it next summer. The plan is to use the film as a vehicle to get our names out there and open the door to work on more films. I would also love to do the post-graduate program at NBC called the page program. It is a one-year program where you work for a show at NBC as a glorified intern. Once the year is up you are given time to apply wherever you would like inside of NBC. It is a paid program and is great for meeting new people and making connections.
- Would you like to include your email address (for future outreach and connections with other students and employers)?
