Eight military-connected students, accompanied by two staff members from Veteran Career Services, recently returned from a week-long trip in Boston, Massachusetts for spring break. While they were able to take in the sights and culture of New England like most tourists, their purpose was learning more about the labor market they enter upon will enter upon graduating.
The Office of Veteran and Military Affairs fully funds two career immersion trips each year, one each semester, to a major metropolitan area where military-connected students are introduced to a variety of industries, companies and hiring partners. The students are able to take advantage of these impactful opportunities thanks to the generosity of Paul and Valerie Dottle and their family.
Syracuse University alumni are a prominent component in the success of these free career immersion trips. On this recent trip to Boston, students benefitted from the assistance of Betty Diaz G’22, a graduate of S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Diaz flung open the doors at WBZ-4, the local CBS station in Boston, paving the way for students to not only get a peek behind the cameras, but also learn about the unique work environment of local news.
“It is an honor to support OVMA’s mission in providing career-related immersion experiences for student veterans. One of the first meetings with CBS was held at the CBS New York station a few years ago. Many of the students learned so much about what goes into producing a live news telecast and all of the people behind scenes to create what audiences see on their television screens,” says Diaz, director of programs and operations at Paramount Veterans Network. “We wanted to recreate this experience at CBS Boston for new students. Our hope is that they walk away exposed to various media opportunities that they may not have considered as a viable option for their college majors.”
Janina Rios ’24, a student veteran in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA), has experienced the impact of the professional relationship between Paramount and OVMA first hand. Rios, a U.S. Army veteran, was hired through the Paramount Veterans Network to work on video production at CBS Viacom for a year as part of an internship program with Paramount. The experience has not only helped her better understand the workplace she may find herself in after graduation, but also better prepares her for a flourishing career.
“As someone with a background in television and film, visiting the CBS studio stood out as a highlight. Witnessing firsthand how technology has revolutionized the media industry was eye-opening,” says Rios. “Attending this trip was a transformative experience that broadened my perspective on career possibilities. It became apparent that versatility is key to thriving in such dynamic environments, where one must adapt and continually expand their abilities.”