Gaining experience while in college can be a large contributor to success in careers after graduation, according to Quindell Williams, an Oswego State alumnus who returned to campus Sept. 6 for an ALANA (Asian, Latino, African and Native American) press conference.

Williams graduated from Oswego State in 2011 and currently works as a photojournalist at CNY Central, the Syracuse affiliate for NBC, CBS and CW, where he won two Emmy Awards for team projects.

While at Oswego State, Williams  was an active member of ALANA groups, including the African Student Organization, the Caribbean Student Association and the Black Student Union, and helped to establish the ALANA Peace Walk and BSU’s endowed scholarship fund. He was also a member of WTOP-10 and WNYO, positions he said helped prepare him for his career in broadcasting and mass media.

“As a photojournalist, I try to merge… ALANA and WNYO and WTOP-10 by showing representation of people that I know who are doing great things in their community who may not always be represented in the media fairly,” Williams said.

Approximately 30 people attended the conference, including students and members of the community. Media organizations like Oswego State’s radio station WNYO and Oswego city’s I Heart Oswego covered the event for its application to both the campus and the surrounding Oswego area.

During the press conference, Williams showed attendees a portion of a broadcast segment he created for CNY Central about his uncle’s boxing program, which helps minority youth find community while in poverty, to display his central purpose. He said his experience at Oswego State ultimately gave him the tools he needed to tell those stories and others like them. 

“Working with WTOP and WNYO helped me to literally touch the equipment that I would need to use in my professional career,” Williams said.

Williams elaborated on his job responsibilities and motivations for getting involved in media, an area that he acknowledged can be a difficult career field for minorities. As advice to students, Williams said to join clubs and organizations related to the desired career to create connections and garner experiences that help in the long run.

“Do as much as you can; learn as much as you can,” Williams said. “This is what you’re here for—to learn. Obviously, you want to have fun and do things, but get involved and network.”

That message resonated with sophomore and broadcasting major Michael Marrano, who attended the event as news director at WNYO.

“I thought it was great,” Marrano said. “I thought it was a good way to get a firsthand view of what he does and…a great way to figure out what he does and what he did to get his foot in the door.”

Magdalena Rivera, student involvement coordinator for the conference, said the event was unique for ALANA in that it happened early in September, but Marrano’s reaction and those of other students in attendance were an encouraging sign of the event’s success.

“I’m hoping that the students learn and heard from Quindell how valuable it is [that] when you’re a student here, you participate in programs and in organizations outside of your classroom experience,” Rivera said. “It is important that students understand that academics is first…but it’s also valuable to enhance the classroom experience with their outside experience, like what Quindell spoke about.”

Wayne Westervelt, chief communication officer, also expressed the positive impact the conference had on those in attendance. Westervelt said that bringing in an alumnus like Williams helps provide an example for students to follow to find success in their own fields.

“There’s a lot of great work that goes into this event and into celebrating different cultures [and] different activities,” Westervelt said. “It’s great for us to welcome back to campus alumni who have gone on to be successful and can share their journey, both as a student but also as a professional in their career. It’s, I think, always a positive opportunity.”

Williams said the experience was rewarding for him and he hopes he impacted students in a positive and productive way.

“If I can reach one or two students out of the few that were here, then it’s all worth it,” Williams said.

Photo by Jessica Wickham | The Oswegonian