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Seton Hall University

From The Setonian to CNBC: Recent Alumna Finds Success Through The Career Center  

Ashley Turner standing in a news studio

Turner (pictured) is a social media producer for CNBC.

Just one year after graduating, Ashley Turner '18 found herself working as a social media producer for one of the world's leading news outlets for business and financial markets. 

Turner, who graduated with a B.A. in journalism in the College of Communication and the Arts, began her career with CNBC after discovering its internship program through the Career Center

"The Career Center was super helpful," Turner said "If it wasn't for them, I probably would not have heard about that internship nor applied to it. She recommended that students take the time to visit the Career Center, saying that for students looking for a job or an internship the Center should be their "first move." She said, "They really make it known to students that there are companies hiring." 

After applying, Turner and about 20 other student applicants took a trip with the Career Center to the CNBC office in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. She was hired as an assignment desk intern and worked with reporters, anchors, producers and editors on breaking news coverage, as well as NASDAQ and the New York Stock Exchange reports. In addition, she assisted with courtroom reporting in New York City and sat in on cases. 

"The courtroom assignments were challenging, but it taught me an important skill: note taking," Turner said. "The difficult part about attending courtrooms is that you're not allowed to bring cellphones in with you. I had to learn to write notes quickly and correctly without a recorder." 

After completing her internship with the assignment desk, Turner returned to CNBC for a second time during her last semester at Seton Hall and wrote stories for the financial news giant's website. 

Right after graduation she found her first job—at CNBC. 

She entered the company's 16-month Digital Rotational program, which is a "postgraduate opportunity designed to provide participants with exposure to a wide range of experiences, ongoing mentor-ship and targeted training within the fast-paced world of digital news," according to the CNBC website. 

In the program participants undergo four, four-month rotations as news associates in various roles throughout the newsroom and have the opportunity to apply for another internal role after they finish the full rotation. 

Turner began the program producing videos, writing video scripts and conducting interviews. Then, she moved on to producing social media content and reporting on healthcare news. Before her last rotation, there was a job opening for the team Turner liked working in best—social media. She began her position as a social media producer in late July. 

"Oh, my job is great," she said. "I knew the way the team worked and the way they had done things. It was an easy transition for me, and I really enjoy what I'm doing." 

Turner's experience in journalism didn't start at CNBC. She joined the Setonian, the University's student-run newspaper, as a staff writer her freshman year, and left as the editor-in-chief her senior year. 

"I credit the Setonian with a lot of my journalism skills," Turner said. "It gave me the opportunity to go out, interview people and write real stories. I've made a lot of connections with the campus community and alumni who are journalism professionals. It helped me become an actual reporter working in news." 

Turner added that being a writer and editor for the newspaper also taught her how to ask questions, structure news stories and write them. In fact, it landed Turner her first internship with the Asbury Park Press, where she wrote for the news and entertainment departments and managed its social media accounts. 

"Students should visit the Career Center early and often," said Reesa Greenwald, director of the Career Center. "We're here to help them prepare for opportunities that lead to successful and satisfying careers." 

The Career Center will host two trips to the city next month. On October 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., there will be a site visit to LeadDog Marketing Group where the recruitment team will discuss career opportunities for public relations, marketing, English and communication majors. On October 21, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Madison Square Garden will be hosting students to meet with executives and learn about career and internship opportunities. Students interested in attending these site visits should contact Jorge Rivera at [email protected]

Visit the Career Center website for more information on and additional resources. Students can call (973) 761-9355 to schedule an appointment with their advisor.

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