As part of its Professional Pathways initiative, the Dolan Career Development Center offers programs and experiences that prepare students for graduate school and professional success through advising, skill-building, and career exploration.
The Dolan Career Development Center (DCDC) recently organized site visits to industry leaders like MLB, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo, Horizon Media, and Prosek Partners, giving students the opportunity to network with professionals, connect with alumni, and gain firsthand insight into potential career paths.
Horizon Media Site Visit
On September 30, Fairfield University students traveled to New York City for a Professional Pathways event at Horizon Media, the world’s largest independent media agency and an industry leader in marketing and advertising innovation. Hosted by Ariana Laster and Meagan Richards, the visit introduced students to Horizon’s collaborative culture. Through an office tour and interview training session, students gained a clearer sense of how strategy, analytics, and creative thinking come together within a major media organization serving clients like Capital One and the National Football League (NFL).
The visit also featured an alumni panel with Fairfield alumni Ken Nippes ’94, Erin Rowland ’18, and Jillian Priaulx ’19, who offered candid insights into their roles, career paths, and tips for breaking into the industry. Overall, their personal perspectives helped students gain a better understanding of internship opportunities, skill expectations, and potential career trajectories in media and advertising.
Prosek Partners Site Visit
On November 6, Fairfield students visited Prosek Partners through the University’s Professional Pathways and Stags in the City programs, gaining an inside look at a leading global communications firm. Prosek specializes in public relations, digital marketing, and financial communications, and maintains a strong connection to Fairfield through its local office and ongoing recruitment of emerging talent.
Students were welcomed by Katie Bott, senior manager of employee experience and HR, along with Kaitlyn Amaro, senior associate of campus recruiting, who introduced them to the fast-paced world of agency work. The group then met with team members who shared candid insights into their roles and offered practical guidance on breaking into the communications field. These conversations highlighted the skills needed to succeed in PR and digital strategy while helping students build confidence in networking with industry professionals.
By the end of the visit, students had a clear understanding of Prosek’s internship and full-time opportunities and a stronger sense of how their academic experiences can translate into careers in media relations, corporate communications, and digital storytelling.
Major League Baseball (MLB)
Fairfield University students visited Major League Baseball’s New York City headquarters for an inside look at how the league operates behind the scenes. During the visit, they met with six Fairfield alumni who work across marketing sponsorship, strategy, sales, and production.
The alumni offered a detailed look at how their teams collaborate to bring MLB initiatives to life, from building and managing corporate partnerships to shaping long-term league strategy, developing new business opportunities, and producing content that reaches fans around the world. They walked students through the fast-paced decision-making that drives major campaigns, the importance of cross-functional communication, and how data and storytelling intersect in modern sports organizations.
They also spoke candidly about the competencies that matter most in the industry today: adaptability, strong communication, curiosity, and the ability to work across diverse teams. Many emphasized that careers in sports rarely follow a straight line, and that persistence and relationship-building often play a defining role.
Experiences like this give students real-world exposure, clearer direction, and the professional connections that help shape future opportunities.
Fairfield Alumni
- Courtney Coppotelli ’02, vice president, partnership activation
- Patrick Lawler ’18, account executive, sponsorship & media sales
- Bryan Wrabel ’12, account executive
- Dan Weber ’11, manager, strategic planning (sponsorship)
- Brielle Nesto ’20, senior coordinator, partnership activation
- Martin Montalto ’01, senior coordinating producer, MLB Network
