Maria Neiswender MCM’23 is a production assistant for NFL Films and a graphics operator for the Somerset Patriots, the New York Yankees Double-A affiliate. A self-described “global pandemic graduate,” Neiswender discovered that life can be unexpected and that it’s important to embrace and learn from new experiences. She shared her whirlwind educational journey with SC&I.

SC&I: What led you to pursue your master’s degree at SC&I? 
MN: In 2018, I spread my wings and headed to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies. During my orientation week, I learned that I could graduate in just three years. Those three years were a whirlwind, especially with the pandemic taking over my final two years. During winter break of my senior year, I decided that I wanted to continue my education and looked to move back to New Jersey. After researching Rutgers and the School of Communication and Information, the Master of Communication and Media program and curriculum was a perfect match for what I wanted.

When I was at Duquesne, I worked alongside their athletic production team for all live broadcast events. Once I graduated, I was able to transition to the same role at Rutgers, where I was a part of RVision, the live video production department at Rutgers Athletics. Aside from the MCM curriculum and opportunities, RVision played a major role in my decision to attend Rutgers for graduate school. Throughout the last two years, I have continued to work with RVision and Big Ten Network for sports events on campus. In 2022, I was given the opportunity to be a Seasonal Production Assistant with NFL Films in my hometown of Mount Laurel, N.J. To go from live production to post-production, especially during my last semester of my MCM program, was a feat in and of itself, but it forced me to grow and adapt to new environments that supported both my personal and professional realm.

While every class I took at Rutgers was inspirational, beneficial, and fruitful, the production class with Dr. Marcello is one of my favorites.

SC&I: What role did the faculty play in your success? 
MN: From the moment I was accepted into the MCM program, Teaching Professor Richard Dool was a major factor that influenced my decision to attend Rutgers. The help he provided from March 2021 through the summer before I began my degree (before I was even enrolled in classes!), is something that I am forever grateful for. Interdisciplinary scholar Gina Marcello, Ph.D., who instructed my Digital Media Production course, provided me with so much guidance and confidence, especially in my transition from live production to post-production. Her assistance during the semester that I was enrolled in her course, and her reaching out in the semesters and months that followed, shows the heart and kindness that can be found in the professors and instructors in the SC&I and the MCM program. While every class I took at Rutgers was inspirational, beneficial, and fruitful, the production class with Dr. Marcello is one of my favorites. Very early on in the program, Ildiko Koczan, Assistant Director of Student Services for Career Services who instructed the E-Portfolio class that is mandatory for MCM students, found the time to sit down and talk with me about my dreams and aspirations. These are traits that every professor I had during my time at Rutgers possessed and these are not always easy to find. 

SC&I: Based on your experiences, what advice can you offer to current or future MCM students? 
MN: I urge you to take a chance on yourself. Put yourself in uncomfortable situations, keep aspiring to grow in your studies and as a human being, and surprise yourself every now and then. While applying for jobs and entering the real world can be intimidating, one thing has stuck with me when I feel less than adequate—the worst thing recruiters or companies can say is “no.” Apply for the job, reach out to professors, classmates, or peers, and take a chance on yourself. The best thing you can do to further yourself in your personal life and career is to show that you are teachable. The MCM program taught me more than I can imagine in just 15 months, so don’t take anything for granted, and enjoy where you are and how far you’ve come!

Learn more about the Master of Communication and Media on the Rutgers School of Communication and Information website.