For two days in January, a quartet of externs became Fox Sports Media Group team members— sitting in on strategy meetings, interviewing network executives, and viewing multi-million dollar advertising spots slated to air during the Super Bowl.
The experience reinforced the goal of Melanie Ruderman ’14 to pursue a career in television. She says host Claudine Lilien ’90, senior vice-president of advertising sales at Fox, cultivated her enthusiasm.
“Claudine has become one of my mentors, continuing to offer her guidance and encouragement,” says Ruderman, a psychology major. “She is always available and happy to help Lafayette students in any way she can.”
Receiving personal attention from these leaders of industry was an “incredible experience,” says Alexandra McDonough ’14, a government & law and Spanish major, who is planning a career in network television advertising sales.
Kerri-Ann Sutherland ’16, a film and media studies major, and Aimee Smith ’14, economics, also participated in the externship. The group’s tour of Fox News offices culminated on the news show’s set, the platform for one of cable’s most-watched programs.
Lilien was inspired to volunteer as an extern host due to her experience as a student. As a junior history major, she served an externship with Dana Streep ’75 at a financial services firm on Wall Street that taught her the importance of networking.
Lilien’s other involvement at the College includes interviewing prospective students during admissions interview days and serving on the Board of Trustees Committee on External Affairs.
Photo by Chuck Zovko