“Connect with Alumni and Network for your Future”

By: Tori Landon

November 10, 2019

Susquehanna University offers enormous amounts of extracurricular activities, clubs, and

events to take part in. The University wants to offer something for everyone's interests in the
hope of connecting diverse communities and allow us to prepare for our future when graduating
from Susquehanna. This feature article will target the event that took place on Thursday,
November 7th, 2019. This event is called Break Through: NYC.

As a Susquehanna student, I was excited about the opportunity to participate in and filled
out my application as soon as possible. This event is open to all students here on campus, no
matter the age or grade. Although there is only limited space available so sadly, not everyone
who signs up gets approved to go. A twenty-dollar refundable deposit was required before your
application was able to go through processing.

No later than a week after submitting my application, I heard back from the Career
Development Center, the CDC for short. The CDC accepted my request and then instructed
everyone approved for the trip to attend a mandatory meeting about the itinerary and overall
rules of the trip. This meeting allowed me to meet the other students attending this trip with me
and connect with them as well. Break Through is an event targeted to enable college students to
get a sense of the world outside Susquehanna's campus and network with alumni in our
interested fields.

As an Advertising and Marketing major, I was very enthusiastic about visiting the
company first on my list, Horizon Media. Horizon Media is a business full of great ideas and
talented people. This company works with media in buying and selling advertisements on the
market and analytical side. They research certain target groups directly to have them be more
affected and concerned about these specific ads.

Horizon Media has the slogan of "Business is Personal," and I can tell that it is a
guaranteed fact after visiting the main headquarters in New York City. I was there for less than
12 hours, and I can understand how lively and bright the atmosphere and workplace is. Their
positive environment prompts strong ideas and creativity to flow. Large meeting rooms are
scattered throughout the multi-level complex to promote teamwork and group collaboration.

My day at Horizon Media consisted of a welcoming presentation where I learned the

logistics about the company and why they were originated. Bill Koenigsberg founded Horizon in
1989 in hopes of building a workplace where professionals can spark creative ideas together and
evaluate media culture and values. Kaitlyn Mclnnis, the VP digital director, was our moderator
for the presentation. Kaitlyn took valuable time out of her day to talk to other Susquehanna
students about her everyday schedule and why she choose Horizon Media. Kaitlyn is an Alumni
from Susquehanna, who graduated in 2007. Her, along with some of her colleagues, who are also
SU alumni and members of a Horizon Media family was apart of a panel.

After the knowledgeable presentation done by Kaitlyn, we visitors were given a tour of
Horizon and some of the features they offer their staff. A cafe, bar, gym, and meditation room
are some amenities that Horizon gives its employees. I was utterly shocked at the atmosphere
within this professional business. Laidback but filled with fast pace skillful individuals. I knew in
my head I want to one day be apart of this Horizon Media team.

I know I will be able to thrive, grow, and prosper by being apart of the Horizon team. I
would use my interpersonal skills and my bold personality to make a name for myself as well as
make friends and connections. Advertising is not only my major but a main hobby of mine. I
want to not only create advertisements but learn how to share them appropriately with the right
people through different kinds of media, and I know Horizon media can teach me those aspects.

As the Break Through event came to an end, it closed with a networking meet and greet
with alumni, similar to speed dating. Students were told to mingle and communicate to different
SU alumni for about three minutes each until meeting new alumni and learning about what they
do. This experience got overwhelming at times, but it was very beneficial in the end. I was able
to share my skills and experiences with professionals who were once in my seat. I gained
information to help me continue my college years and tips for when I am ready to pursue my
future career.

I want to thank Susquehanna University and Horizon Media for the opportunity to attend
Break Through in New York City and broaden my network. I will never forget the things I
learned that day and the people I met. I have followed up with the professionals I met on social
media and plan on contacting them when the time is right. Susquehanna University, with the help
of the CDC, successfully gave me an unforgettable and very valuable experience that has
prepared me for my future.

For further information on the Career Development Center at Susquehanna University

and Break Through opportunities you can contact Allie Grill at ​grilla@susqu.edu​ or learn more
about Horizon Media on their website ​https://www.horizonmedia.com