Comms Students Visited NYC to Form Connections in Journalism and Sports Media Markets
A group of BYU journalism and sports media students recently returned from a networking trip in NYC, where they formed connections with BYU alumni and communications professionals from ABC News, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Thatcher+Co., ION, ProPublica, the New York Mets, the NFL, ESPN and Columbia University. Learn more about the trip from CFAC career director Derek Jack below!
After more than 20 years in Career Services at BYU, I thought I had seen it all — until this trip. Traveling to New York City in May with a group of faculty and alumni from our journalism and sports media program was unlike anything I’ve experienced in my career. It was not only a professional milestone but also a deeply affirming moment for the work I’ve dedicated my life to.
Over the years, I’ve taught countless students the importance of networking — how to build connections, follow up and create meaningful professional relationships. This trip was the ultimate test: would those strategies actually yield results in one of the most competitive media markets in the world?
While the faculty on the trip already had strong ties with alumni in the area, my goal was to expand our reach by connecting with employers in journalism and sports media with whom we didn’t already have a connection. Using Handshake, BYU’s online platform for job and internship opportunities, I filtered employers by industry and location, then reached out to several organizations. To my excitement, I heard back from ProPublica, The New York Times, and Dow Jones (The Wall Street Journal), and we were able to schedule visits with each of them.
“The most impactful part of the trip was getting to meet with people who are doing exactly what I want to do career-wise and getting to pick their brains. My view of the field of communications has expanded exponentially! I always thought there was a direct route to get to where I want to be, but meeting with different professionals showed me that there are many different positions in the field of communications that can get me to where I want to be.” — Sports Media Student Eliza Snow
These visits opened students’ eyes to the wide range of career paths available in their fields. But the most impactful moments came from our interactions with BYU alumni. Their generosity, authenticity, and willingness to share their journeys made a lasting impression on our students. They didn’t just open doors — they offered guidance, encouragement, and real-world advice.
“The gulf between a recent graduate and an entry-level position in media can be wide, and we hope that this trip narrowed that gap for the students who attended. I was really impressed with our students and their preparation and professionalism in our meetings. They were sharp, asked great questions and displayed a strong interest in the field. I hope students’ takeaway from the trip that so much of professional life is rooted in relationships. Also, that life and careers aren’t linear. Don’t despair if things are hard, or if you must take a different route to your dreams. Have faith in the Lord, and he’ll deliver.” — Communications Professor Miles Romney
One visit that stood out to me personally was with Dani Beckstrom, a BYU journalism alum and meteorologist with ABC News. She introduced us to professionals across a variety of roles within the industry and left us with a simple but powerful message: “Work hard and be kind.” That advice resonated deeply with me and perfectly encapsulated the spirit of the trip.
“This trip reinforced the idea that it’s all about the people. Focusing on the relationships you are building while going through your career is so important, because like Dani Beckstrom of ABC said, those relationships will ‘carry you through everything.’ I love how so many people emphasized taking whatever experience you can even if it doesn’t quite fit your idea of your dream job, and to focus on the skills that are transferable to what you want to end up doing, and I think that’s a very important concept.” — Journalism Student Abi Falin Horspool
In the end, this experience reaffirmed everything I’ve believed and taught about networking. It works. And in industries like journalism and sports media, it’s not just helpful — it’s essential. My hope is that the students who joined us will take full advantage of the connections they made and the wisdom they received. If they do, they’ll be entering their careers with a significant head start.
