Alumni
What have Media Studies alumni been up to lately?
Spotlight on
Ari Saperstein (he/him/his)
Podcast Producer at Pineapple Street Studios
How has the Media Studies degree helped in your occupation?
When I was a student, I didn’t know I’d end up working in audio—but understanding good storytelling and media production skills proved to be a great foundation for my current profession and the other jobs I’ve had along the way. Having a lot of knowledge about film and TV is what, in fact, helped me to break into audio; my first job in audio was working on a movie review radio show, a job I got because of my Media Studies background.
What has been your experience in Media after graduating from Pitzer College?
I spent my first few post-grad years trying my hand at a number of different jobs in media, working at a movie studio, a documentary production company, for various film festivals, as an editorial illustrator… it was a lot of time trying to figure out what I don’t like as much as I was trying to figure out what I do like. Through that trial and error I came to realize that audio was what I was most interested in and passionate about. I got a job as a production assistant at KPCC, the NPR Los Angeles affiliate, and reported a number of stories, mostly about local arts and media both for KPCC and other NPR stations. I’ve found the world of audio and public radio to be a small, close-knit community and easy to form friendships and relationships within; I really like the people I’ve worked with and come up in the industry with. I feel really lucky to have found a profession where I get to spend time with people I like and do something that I find fulfilling.
What advice do you have for current Media Studies students?
Put yourself out there. It can be so frustrating to muster all the materials and wherewithal to apply for a job –– let alone 10, 20, 50, 100 jobs. But that might be what it takes to end up where you want to be. I’ve done so much applying and cold calling and research and networking to find the kind of professional opportunities I’ve wanted. Most of the time, it resulted in nothing, which was incredibly frustrating and dispiriting… but what also happened was I’d meet people along the way, make connections, and find unexpected opportunities months or even years later stemming from having put myself out there previously.
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