Crafting Careers Behind the Scenes
For Film and Media Arts MA and MFA students in SOC, the journey toward success isn鈥檛 confined to the classroom. It often begins with job opportunities right on campus like Graduate Assistant, Program Manager, Teaching Assistant (TA), and Student Ambassador. These roles are helping students build vital career skills, develop professional relationships, and create work that reflects both their academic goals and personal passions.听听
Whether they鈥檙e mentoring high school filmmakers, assisting professors on creative projects, or helping prospective students find their way to SOC, students like Ethan Baker (SOC/MA 鈥26), Giovanna Roskosz Reis (SOC/MA 鈥25), and Samantha Noland (SOC/MA 鈥25) have turned on-campus work into a launching pad for their careers. Given that DC is one of the top three film production hubs in America, it鈥檚 a great place to start building a network.听听
Baker, who has held multiple roles through SOC, including Graduate Assistant, Documentary and Festival Manager for Anacostia Youth Media (AYM), and Multimedi
a Content Student Assistant for University Advancement, says his campus jobs and working across departments has given him a unique span of experience. 鈥淕uiding middle and high school students, many new to production, taught me to become a better filmmaker and a more effective mentor,鈥 he said of his time with AYM. Meanwhile, his current work producing video content for University Advancement has refined his confidence behind the camera. 鈥淐ollaborating closely with a small team while working independently has strengthened my understanding of visual storytelling in the dynamic, professional setting of higher education.鈥 听
While Baker built creative leadership through mentorship, Reis found hers through faculty collaboration. 鈥淲orking with professors has expanded my network significantly,鈥 she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e been connected to successful alumni filmmakers whom I now consider my mentors. As I am not from the area, this has helped me grow a reputation as an emerging filmmaker here.鈥 Even through obstacles such as funding cuts, which led to the loss of some assistantships, Reis found her way forward by securing a new position on a professor鈥檚 externally funded project. Her advice to fellow students is to 鈥渢ake advantage of the opportunities you are given when you first start your program, because this is what will keep the ball rolling for the rest of your time at AU.鈥澨
Similarly, Noland, who held a student leadership role as the Graduate Leadership Council (GLC) President and paid positions including Graduate Assistant and Graduate Student Ambassador, said each job has helped her engage with AU鈥檚
community and culture. 鈥淩ather than just going to class and going back home, you have a stake in the campus,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hese experiences have made me realize I truly enjoy working as part of teams, being in a forward-facing role, and utilizing my people skills.鈥 These opportunities are particularly important for international students, whose visas limit their ability to seek employment off-campus.听
University roles have been a way for these students to apply what they鈥檙e learning in class in real life, while gaining clarity on their longer-term goals. 鈥淭he opportunity to apply what we learn in class in a professional context gives us an advantage as we prepare for life after graduate school,鈥 Reis said. 鈥淚t allows [professors] to see us in full range and is fundamental for our success post-graduation.鈥 Baker added that these opportunities 鈥渂rought me closer to the AU community than ever before.鈥澨
For Baker, Reis, and Noland, the impact of on-campus jobs extends beyond a paycheck. They鈥檙e opportunities to experiment, grow, and connect. As they move forward in their careers, they carry with them not only sharpened skills and standout resumes, but also the mentorship, clarity, and community that shaped their journey at SOC.听听