UUP Seeking Interns for Fall 2025 Semester

UUP is looking for one or two students to assist them with chapter communications and other tasks in the Fall 2025 semester! Historically, they’ve attracted students from Sociology, Political Science, English, and DMJ/Communications; but they’re happy to work with students from all other fields as well!

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Faculty Profile: Introducing Professor John Drew

Beginning in the Fall 2024 semester, the Communication Studies Department welcomed a new face to its faculty lineup: Assistant Professor John Drew. Drew specializes in Strategic Communication, having earned a BA in economics from Duke University, an MA in Media Studies from The New School, and an MFA in Design and Technology from Parsons School of Design. 

John Drew HeadshotBy incorporating a type of life coaching into his curriculum, meeting the students where they are and hearing their anxieties, Drew has found that he can connect those concerns with his teaching and provide real strategies to offer a way forward. He teaches his students the importance of developing a design-centered way of thinking that constructs various design systems as design opportunities.

“You just have to figure out what the parameters are and where the entry points are and where the opportunities are for your own benefit,” Drew said. This is a strategy Drew has had to use in his own life, altering his career path strategically based on changes in the marketplace, ultimately bringing him to Strategic Communication as a discipline.

Starting out as a print journalist in the early 2000s, Drew watched as legacy print establishments were going out of business and everything was moving online. He found his skill set lacking, leading him to determine he needed to adapt his skills to the changing times. This got him into a period of video journalism and filmmaking, as well as grant writing. Eventually he got on the track to grad school to develop more skills. Drew referred to this time as being transformative. It was in grad school where a mentor persuaded him to try teaching. Due to his strategic way of thinking and learning through the course of his life of how to pivot and carefully assess the marketplace and develop skills in response to it, Drew found himself in the world of academia teaching his students the same way of thinking.

Drew’s most recent research has been funded by the Mozilla Foundation through its Responsible Computing Challenge which, according to the Mozilla Foundation’s website,  “supports the conceptualization, development, and piloting of curricula that empowers students to think about the social and political context of computing.” To this end, Drew has already developed two new courses with collaborators at Adelphi University where Drew previously served as Associate Professor. These courses are to help Mozilla make computer science accessible and compelling to a more diverse student body, making them think about responsible tech, and ideally become responsible technologists themselves. 

At New Paltz this year Drew has taught Social Media and PR, Design and PR, Intro to Strategic Comm., and a grad class Organizational Writing and Design Across Media. Next year he will be teaching Design and PR, the Seminar in Strategic Comm., as well as another grad course, Environmental Communication, Organizations, and Sustainability.

Drew has enjoyed his time here at New Paltz so far. Already living in the Hudson Valley, he enjoys the area and is much happier to be closer to home. Additionally, Drew has found it refreshing being a part of the public university system. Having a diverse student body in many ways, the students at SUNY New Paltz have given him a fresh perspective with their eagerness to learn and desire to enrich their education to apply later in the future. 

“Teaching here has been a joy. I feel like the majority of my students thus far are engaged and responsive and I am learning a lot from them. I’m very grateful to be here, despite having to earn tenure all over again!”

Applications Are Open for Ulster County Climate Corps Summer 2025 Paid Internship Program

Ulster County Climate Corps is looking for applicants for their Summer 2025 Internship Program. This is a paid, project-based program where participants will be assigned to County departments to help implement the County’s climate and sustainability initiatives that work to meet the goals of the New York State Climate Act. Some examples of the projects entailed are creating outreach materials (flyers, infographics, organizational charts, etc.) for the Better Homes for All Program;  designing fliers, social media graphics, and infographics for the Executive’s Office; or working with the Public Works Department to establish a formal relationship with a local compost facility. 

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Redeemer Lutheran Church of New Paltz Seeking Communication Interns

Position: Part-Time Intern

Target Candidates: Students from SUNY New Paltz in Marketing, Communications, Events, and Theatre

Job Description:

Redeemer Lutheran Church is seeking a motivated and creative intern to join our team for the  semester. This position is perfect for students looking to gain hands-on experience in marketing, communications, event planning, and theater.. The intern will work directly with our Communication and Development Coordinator and key leaders to support and enhance our communication and development efforts.

Responsibilities:

1. Communication Management:

  • Update and provide content to existing communication outlets including bulletins, newsletters, the church website, and Facebook.
  • Collaborate with staff and leaders to create integrated and expanded communication campaigns.

2. Grant-Writing:

  • Explore grant-writing opportunities for the congregation.
  • Prepare grant letters for review. 

3. CommUNITY Spaces Support:

  • Support CommUNITY Spaces via advertising and marketing opportunities. 
  • Create event ideas for the community and assist in marketing and advertising them which includes flier design, campaigns, etc. 

4. Building Operations Coordination:

  • Research opportunities to update/enhance the technology in Sanctuary and Community Room  to enhance audio and visual for congregation in person (and virtually) as well as for the growing number of community groups utilizing these spaces for concerts and other events. 

Qualifications:

  • Currently enrolled in a Marketing, Communications, Events, Theatre, or related program at SUNY New Paltz.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
  • Proficiency with social media platforms, content creation, and basic website management.
  • Creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Interest in community engagement and development.

Hours and Compensation:

  • Part-time position for the semester.
  • Flexible hours to accommodate class schedules.
  • This is an unpaid internship but with extensive hands on experience and several recommendations, along with meeting many community members. 

Application Process:

Interested candidates should submit the following:

  1. Resume
  2. Cover letter outlining your interest in the position and relevant experience
  3. Two references (academic or professional)

Submit applications to: Heather Wydock, heather.wydock@redeemernewpaltz.org

Application Deadline: before the first day of the semester (BE SURE YOU are eligible to earn internship credits: tinyurl.com/npinternpacket)

Join us at Redeemer Lutheran Church and gain valuable experience while making a meaningful impact in our community!

 

Policy Research Job Opportunity with NYS Comptroller in Albany; Graduating Journalism and Comm Students and Recent Grads Urged to Apply!

A small policy research unit in the Office of the New York State Comptroller in Albany that specializes in local government finances and other issues affecting local governments is currently recruiting candidates for permanent entry-level positions. For these positions they are looking for people who are interested in policy research on local governments, who are comfortable working with data (cleaning, analyzing, presenting findings in charts and tables), and who also have excellent communication skills—especially writing. They are using the state’s “HELPS” process, which means that candidates do not have to have taken civil service exams or be on a civil service list to be hired. The positions they are looking to fill require a college degree, including some quantitative coursework. The link below has the details. These jobs are in Albany, New York.

StateJobsNY – Public Information: Review Vacancy

The job posting is set to expire on Friday, but they plan to extend the deadline until mid-October. They also expect to post a second position with the same qualifications and job duties in the near future. We encourage you to apply, even if you do not expect to graduate until the spring. Good luck!

Watch the Communication Studies Major Overview Video and Orientation Materials

Read through the presentations:

CMM-TRANSFER-Advising_rev 8.24

Please watch the video major overview for all Communication Studies concentrations:

Every student must know how to read their DegreeWorks progress report: Happy Valley CC – Transfer Student Progress Report – Spring 2023

Our department requires students to use the My Schedule Planner tool for creating their class schedule before meeting with their advisor. Please watch the tutorials: https://hawksites.newpaltz.edu/dmjnews/2020/03/09/use-my-schedule-planner/

Go through the Advising Checklist: Transfer-Advising-Checklist_for-Spring-2023

Internships are OPTIONAL for Comm majors. Understand the requirements to be eligible to do an internship, by reading this post.

Northwestern Mutual Seeking Hands-On Intern in Financial Services and Communication

Northwestern Mutual is seeking a hands-on intern in financial services and communication! The hands-on intern experience includes partnering with financial representatives who show you how it’s done through mentoring and joint-work programs. Like your colleagues in the network office, you have access to the resources of Northwestern Mutual, including:

  • A coach who meets with you regularly to help evaluate and fine-tune your efforts for greatest results.
  • Trusted financial specialists and advisors with technical know-how to help you create customized solutions for your clients.
  • Access to Northwestern Mutual’s world-class insurance services and internationally recognized investment products

Specifically, you’ll practice the personalized approach they use to offer financial solutions tailored to each client’s individual needs. You’ll follow these key steps in their process, working independently with guidance from experienced colleagues:

  • Meet with Clients: You’ll set up appointments to discuss your clients current financial situation.
  • Analyze the Clients Situation: Through extensive fact-finding, you’ll uncover long-term goals that you will use to help determine your clients needs.
  • Make Recommendations: After evaluating your clients current situation and goals, you’ll determine what products can help fill their needs and present appropriate solutions to your client.
  • Provide Ongoing Service: You’ll continue to work with your clients beyond the close of the sale. Most financial representatives contact their clients twice a year to determine whether their needs have changed and keep them aware of the resources available to them.

Application Process: Visit Financial Advisor & Corporate Careers | Northwestern Mutual where you can find your local office and start your application.

Save the Date for Communication Alumni Panel Discussion

Please join us on October 20 at 3:30 p.m. in Lecture Center 103 for the Communication Studies Alumni Panel Discussion! A reception with refreshments and drinks will follow in the Lecture Center South Lobby. This will be a wonderful opportunity to hear from alumni about how they made their way into their current professions. Students will have an opportunity to ask questions as well. Stay tuned for more information on the panelists.