Meet Some of Our Broadcast Media Production Students
Tyler Jennings-Peczka on Why She Loves Her Major, Studying in Dublin, and Interning at a Local Nonprofit
Tyler Jennings-Peczka, '17
Division
Communication & Creative Media
Major
Broadcast Media Production
Hometown
Windsor, CT
Pronouns
she/her
Studied Abroad
Dublin, Ireland
Internship
Community Relations Intern for Vermont Works for Women in Winooski, VT
Post-Grad Job
Senior Operations Associate for Talent Acquisition at Away in New York, NY
“
Champlain really allowed me to customize my major.
”
How did you choose your major?
Champlain's Broadcast Media Production major was exactly what I wanted. I didn't want to study journalism or communications, and I didn't want to be on camera at all. My dad suggested Champlain, and when I saw the Broadcast major, I knew that's what I wanted to do. Champlain really allowed me to customize my major. I started off by taking all production classes and a few film classes, then branched out into taking marketing, public relations, and even a few law classes.
How was your study abroad experience?
My favorite thing about Champlain was going abroad to Dublin, Ireland. We have a campus there, and the staff is amazing. It was so easy for my tuition and scholarships to be transferred over. I loved every single minute of it—I went to six countries and met a lot of great people. Dublin was amazing, and I recommend it to every single person.
Have you had any internships during your time at Champlain?
I interned with Vermont Works for Women, where I was the Community Outreach intern. It was a catch-all position, and I got lots of opportunities to exercise my strengths. I helped write their annual appeal letter, and I created two promotional videos for them. In the fall of 2016, I went to Randolph, VT and held a video booth for their annual Women Can Do conference, which promotes STEM and trades to ninth through twelfth grade girls. It was amazing.
Olivia Lyons on Getting Behind the Camera, Internships, and Student Life
Olivia Lyons, '19
Division
Communication & Creative Media
Major
Broadcast Media Production
Hometown
Rutland, VT
Pronouns
she/her
Internship
News Intern at WCAX-TV in Burlington, VT
Favorite Class
Video Field Production
Post-Grad Job
Multimedia Journalist & Producer at WCAX-TV in Burlington, VT
“
When I got to my internship, they said, "OK, here's a package; help us edit this." If I didn't have that experience at Champlain, I would have been dumbfounded. Luckily, I had spent a lot of time working and developing my skills.
”
What's the most memorable project you did in your major?
As a senior, everyone does a Capstone project. We did a 10-minute documentary about house concerts. We traveled all over to film, including to Canada and Connecticut. It was so much fun meeting new people and seeing artists perform. And then, we went through all the footage to pick the best shots and make this movie ours.
You had an internship with a local news station. What was that experience like?
When I first began interning at one of the local television stations, I worked hard to really prove that I was present and wanted to do the work, and it ended up paying off. Then, I was a fill-in reporter and an associate producer for the same local television station at which I interned. They called me up and asked, "Hey, can you fill in on this day? We have a reporter out." And I'd go in and do what they do.
What’s it like to be a college student in Burlington?
I love Burlington. I'm from a place where there isn't a whole lot going on. Here, there's always an event happening, places to go, new spots to find. And being a college town, there are a lot of people your own age to meet and hang out with. I think the Waterfront is my favorite place to go in Burlington.
Julia Leonard on the Core Curriculum, Expanding Her Education, and Her Favorite Extracurricular Clubs
Julia Leonard, '20
Division
Communication & Creative Media
Major
Broadcast Media Production
Specialization
Motion Graphics
Minor
Web Development
Hometown
Exeter, NH
Pronouns
she/her
Studied Abroad
Auckland, New Zealand
Internship
Intern at JAM Creative in Burlington, VT
Favorite Class
Form in Motion
“
Champlain makes it easy to push past the boundaries of a traditional education.
”
What has been your experience with the Core Corriculum?
Core is unconventional. It's broad and interdisciplinary, while also combining specific subjects into a semester-long learning experience. It forces you to think about a singular subject through many lenses, expanding your perspectives and the things that you believe are normal, fair, or unjust. One of the best things I did for Core was a project studying the effects of running on the body and mind. This exploration took me into science, psychology, philosophy, and history. My culminating project was to train for six weeks to run a half-marathon!
What extracurricular activities are you involved in?
I'm involved in the Hiking Club, CHAMP, and Club Volleyball. I enjoy them because they're just fun! You get to hang out with like-minded people outside of typical events. Plus, hiking in Vermont is beautiful. I had never played volleyball before, but always wanted to try. It's the same for other clubs I've been to, like Climb Champlain and Parkour Club.
Do you have any advice for incoming students?
Pursue what you're passionate about beyond your major. Champlain makes it easy to push past the boundaries of a traditional education. I'm a student in the CCM division, but I've taken classes in all four divisions. I made it a priority to make my education what I wanted it to be, allowing me to explore topics I'm passionate about.