Five Years & A Lifetime of Memories
Leadership Roles
Student Liaison - RUN Journalism Dept. - Newark
Transferring into the Journalism program, I was looking for events similar to those at the business school, such as networking events, and resume building tools where students can gain exposure to multiple industries. It was a surprise that a department focused on people and entertainment didn't have a resource to bridge the gap between professionals and college students. So I created one. With the department's support, I produced five roundtable events that focused on making an introduction to professionals from the different sectors of media (TV, radio, production, etc) to my peers. I was able to provide a tangible resource for my peers to connect with industry leaders while learning about their experiences and role.
Radio Show Host - WRNU - Newark
One of the coolest things I did in college was hosting a podcast with my best friend. We co-hosted a show called Loud'n Louder (which you can find on Soundcloud), where we had the creative freedom to make the show our own. It was an awesome creative outlet to express how we felt and our thoughts about any topic to an audience. Our content was funny, and we were actually able to increase over-all station viewings because of our strategic marketing advert.
Public Relations Committee Member - ALPFA - Newark
When I was a junior in college,
Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA), as a general member. The following year, I became a Public Relations committee member with hopes of leaving a greater impact on the organization. I learned an incredible amount about project management as I planned, organized, and managed multiple events for our chapter. Through this position, I was introduced to an incredible network of people outside the university. I volunteered at events hosted by the ALPFA state chapters including, New Jersey, Philidelphia, and Chicago where I would regularly opt to run the registration table. I've always felt that this was the best function to manage because you are able to interact and mingle with everyone who is attending the event! A truly great way to network and introduce yourself.
Email Marketing Coordinator - PIN - Newark
Project Innovate Newark (PIN) is a grassroots non-profit organization that focuses on bridging the gap between college talent and economic, environmental, and political problems that Newark faces. In this role, I created several email marketing templates using MailChimp to highlight the organization's accomplishments and share updates with our subscriber list.
When I first came to Rutgers – Newark, I was under the impression that my passion was accounting. After taking a few business courses, I realized that I was carelessly misled. While most universities would have discouraged leaving the Business School for the School of Arts & Sciences, the staff embraced my personal discovery period and encouraged me to take the road less traveled. Through this encouragement, I found my place in the Journalism department. I was able to hone in on my narrative writing skills, which I had always wanted to do, and further developed my craft. I am grateful that 18-year-old Jaylyn chose Rutgers - Newark without knowing or understanding that this school would become such an essential part of my artistic development.
Not only have I received a world-class education that has enhanced my technical skills, but the diversity of thought that is fostered on campus has allowed my soft skills to flourish. The endless resources and continuous encouragement from my peers and advisors have made me fearless of any opportunity. I met my best friends in and outside of the classroom, networked with some of the smartest minds in a variety of fields, and have integrated myself in a support system with like-minded people that have the common goal of changing this world, and city, for the better. I am a creative that thrives in a business environment and am ready to apply my skills and passion.