On Monday, Career Services and The Oswego Alumni Association hosted a Zoom panel called “So, You Want to Work in Theater and Entertainment.”
Three different alumni, Gabriel Almanzer, David Saretsky and Denise Grillo, were panelists on the program, all with varying levels of experience in the entertainment or theater industry.
Almanzer is a 2005 graduate of SUNY Oswego and has been using his bachelor of fine art’s degree in graphic design as a supervising art director for “CBS This Morning,” where he has been working since 2007. Saretsky, a 1995 graduate of SUNY Oswego, is a two-time Emmy-Winning technical director and he currently works with “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.” Grillo, a 1984 graduate of Oswego State, was a technical theater major and currently works with production props for numerous Broadway shows.
The Director of Career Services, Gary Morris, hosted the event, asking multiple questions to the alumni about their experience and what advice they had for aspiring students. The first question of the session asked the alumni what they enjoyed the most about their job and what the most challenging part of their job is.
“You have to be able to turn on a dime,” Grillo said.
Grillo also mentioned that things are always changing and jobs are always popping up, you have to be prepared for the unexpected.
Saretsky emphasized the joy he had in working with various clients and being able to travel. He said finding the right fit in a given workplace to be a big challenge. Almanzer commented on the sense of pride he feels upon completing a job or project.
All three alumni said how important it was to make and keep connections. Grillo, specifcally, spoke heavily on showing that you care while always treating your coworkers and bosses with the utmost respect. Almanzer advised the students not to burn their bridges.
Morris took the alumni on a trip down memory lane when he asked them to describe their favorite memory from their time at SUNY Oswego. Grillo reminisced on her days building sets late at night with friends. Almanzer recalled all of his memories with friends and recounted on some of those connections he still has.
When asked what advice they would give to students on what to do during the COVID-19 pause, Almanzer promoted the importance of SUNY Oswego’s Career Services. He also advised students to pick up some projects that were not assigned by their professors that they could add to their portfolio.
The importance of “grunt work” was stressed by all of the alumni. Despite being the least favorite part of the job for them, it is important to get your foot in the door and show that you are worthy and skilled by doing this at the beginning of your career.
Some of the final pieces of advice the alumni gave to the students before the end of the session revolved around how to be successful in a career like theirs. Almanzer advised students to find internships, jobs or projects to put in their portfolio and to keep social media accounts clean.
Grillo promoted building a network immediately and always having a positive and respectful attitude, while Saretzky emphasized getting as much experience as possible.
“Your first job will not be your last,” Saretzky said.
Photo by Kailee Montross | The Oswegonian
