Meditz Students Gain Professional Insights

A group of Fairfield students, smiling and casually dressed, stand in a modern lobby with a large Warner Bros. Television logo on the wall behind them.
By Sara Colabella

Through the John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences, the Office of Career and Professional Development continue to connect students with meaningful, real-world experiences across the Metro-New York area through their Stags in the City program and various industry panels.

These opportunities allow students to engage with alumni, explore career paths, and gain practical insights that extend beyond the classroom.

Fairfield Meditz: Stags in LA Trip

For the first time ever, 13 students from the John Charles Meditz College of Arts and Sciences spent spring break in Los Angeles, Calif., where they visited Warner Bros., The Walt Disney Company, Paramount, Netflix, Paradigm Talent Agency, Picture Shop, and the creative studio MakeMake. The Stags in LA trip was organized by Fairfield Meditz’s Office of Career and Professional Development.

Accompanied by Fairfield Meditz Dean Richard Greenwald, PhD, and Associate Professor Patrick Brooks, director of the Film, Television, and Media Arts program, students participated in studio tours, panel discussions, and networking opportunities with professionals across film, television, law, and media.

“The LA company visits really solidified that this is indeed the right career path for me,” said Alexa Sewell ’26. “I was so invested and interested in everything they had to say and presented. I can really see myself excelling in positions like these post-grads.”

A defining feature of the experience was the strong presence of Fairfield Meditz alumni, who welcomed students into their workplaces: John Power ’96, Brooke Lathe ’25, Fiorela Canaj ’11, Aileen O’Brien ’17, John Mancini ’86, Claudia Capria ’18, Tommy Petroskey ’17, Sean McDermott ’11, and Bob Cammisa ’10. The trip also included an academic visit to University of California–LA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television and a networking event hosted by media and entertainment attorney John Mancini at his law firm, Mayer Brown.

Vineyard Vines Site Visit

Students from Fairfield Meditz and the Charles F. Dolan School of Business visited Vineyard Vines’ headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, where they toured the office and connected with alumni and staff. During the visit, they gained insight into key areas including marketing, e-commerce, merchandising, and human resources. Students also had the unique opportunity to meet and speak with co-founders and CEOs Ian and Shep Murray.

Prosek Partners Site Visit

Meditz students visited Prosek Partners in New York City, stepping into the fast-paced world of strategic communications at one of the industry’s leading firms. The visit provided an inside look at the company’s post-graduate opportunities and day-to-day operations, while also creating space for meaningful conversations with Fairfield alumni working in the field.

Alumni Marie Matta ’15, Katherine Fox ’16, Madison Gallo ’23, and Morgan Orlando ’24 shared insights into their career journeys, offering practical advice and perspectives on navigating the public relations industry. The visit was made possible through the efforts of Claire Broderick.

Bridgeport Islanders Site Visit

Closer to home, students traveled to Webster Bank Arena for a behind-the-scenes experience with the Bridgeport Islanders. At the arena the students explored the inner workings of a professional hockey organization, gaining a deeper understanding of the business, media, and operations that support the game.

Students connected with team staff, asked questions about internships and career pathways, and learned what it takes to succeed in the sports industry beyond the ice.

How I Got My Internship: STEM & Pre-Health Panel

On campus, Meditz students had the opportunity to hear directly from their peers during the “How I Got My Internship” STEM and pre-health panel. Seniors in biology shared reflections on navigating research, clinical roles, and internships across a wide range of pre-health and STEM pathways.

Panelists Kiera Cunningham, Emme Hadded ’26, Brianna DiMaggio ’26, Giovanna Kalin ’26, Joseph “JJ” Kanaan ’26, and Emily Phillips ’26 walked students through the application process, offering practical advice and lessons learned along the way. Their insights provided a valuable roadmap for students beginning their own internship searches.

Communication Industry Spotlight Connects Students with Alumni

The third annual Communication Industry Spotlight brought together students and alumni for an evening of conversation and career exploration. The panel featured accomplished Fairfield Meditz communication graduates who shared insights into their professional journeys, life after graduation, and how they have applied their communication skills across a range of industries.

Panelists included Ryan Canfield ’24, digital production assistant at Fox News Digital Sports; Sarah Dubocq ’24, executive assistant on the marketing and creative team at Wayfair; Luke Ronayne ’24, sales development representative at Oracle NetSuite; and Grace Willis ’25, assistant account executive at Melander Marketing & Communications.

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