Union County Review

A group of Kean University communication students recently had the opportunity to engage with professionals in the entertainment industry through the Disney Behind the Screens program. The students, hailing from the Department of Communication, Media and Journalism (CMJ), were able to participate in a virtual series and visit ABC Studios in New York City as part of the program.

Dayana Velasco, a Kean graduate student, expressed her gratitude for the experience, stating, “I gained so much knowledge about The Walt Disney Company, the entertainment industry, and how to make myself a strong candidate for any role I plan to pursue.”

Associate Professor Brian Oakes highlighted the significance of the partnership, mentioning, “We are very fortunate that Disney has chosen to return to Kean. It’s really a fantastic experiential learning opportunity for our students. They get to interact with a variety of professionals at Disney and see firsthand how a television show is produced.”

Riley Pond, a graduate communication student, shared her enthusiasm for the program, saying, “I have always wanted to know what goes on behind the scenes at Disney. My dad and I constantly watch programs like The Imagineering Story on Disney+ because we share the same curiosity.”

Yahnay Coursey, a senior studying media and film, expressed how the program helped her prepare for her future career, stating, “This program exposed me to different jobs in the industry and helped better prepare me for my future career. Overall, I'm really glad I was a part of it.”

Jennifer Brooks, CMJ managing assistant director, emphasized the value of the students learning about the industry through various perspectives, stating, “Disney/ABC Studios have gone out of their way to create an interactive and engaging experiential opportunity for our students.”

Disney Behind the Screens aims to provide diverse students with the exposure and knowledge needed to pursue careers in the media industry. The program covers specialized areas of network television and educates participants on various career paths, including sales, entertainment marketing, programming, ESPN, production, news, and network operations.

The students' firsthand experiences and interactions with professionals in the field have left a lasting impact, with plans to continue and expand the partnership in the future.