September 29th, 2013, by Allison Rose Ritter

Mike Parrone, a recent graduate of the Media Arts and Technology program, is currently working for Time Inc. in New York City. I asked him a few questions about his current job and how RIT has helped him prepare for his current position.

What have you been up to since graduation?

After graduating in 2012 I quickly moved down to Charlotte, NC for a position in digital marketing for a web design firm. It was a great first job out of college but after about a year I relocated to New York City for a production job at Time Inc. I currently help put together print and tablet editions of magazines such as People and Entertainment Weekly.

How has your coursework through RIT’s Media Sciences program helped prepare you for this position?

What initially drew me to the Media Sciences school at RIT was the diversity of coursework. I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do with my life so I figured a bit of everything wouldn’t be a bad decision. With the job market the way it is, I felt I had a huge advantage coming out of college with a variety of skills, both on the creative and business side of things. Employers are looking for people that have the skill set to help them in as many ways as possible.

What advice do you have for current SMS students?

Take advantage of everything RIT has to offer. Whether it be work experiences, networking opportunities, or the variety of coursework, you really have so much on hand to help you stand out in the long run. When on the job hunt be confident in what you know and the values you offer. Applying for jobs is incredibly exhausting but you will get out what you put in.