Only a few weeks after graduating from Mount Saint Mary College in May, Olivia Pelliccia landed a job on The Wendy Williams Show in New York City as a production assistant.
Pelliccia, of Hicksville, N.Y., graduated the Mount with a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media Production this year alongside her two cousins, Nicole Cervone of Shirley, N.Y. and Renee Hydo of Bethpage, N.Y., both Mathematics majors.
She's always been interested in the behind the scenes world of television and movies. Although she began her freshman year undeclared, Dean Goldberg, professor of Digital Media and Film Studies and Director of the Communication, Art, and Digital Media Program, encouraged her to switch to Digital Media Production.
It's advice Pelliccia will always be grateful for.
"It's really exciting working on a popular TV show," Pelliccia explained. "I think it's really cool to see how everyone works together and all the different roles it takes to produce a show."
Production assistants are responsible for a multitude of tasks intended to keep the show's daily operations running smoothly. They help with each segment on the show, audience giveaways, additional office/computer work, and more to ensure the success of each live show.
"The Mount and the Division of Communication, Art, and Digital Media fully prepared me for this position," Pelliccia said. "The program was hands-on and all my professors had experience in the industry, which made learning from them more interesting and was a great advantage for us."
Goldberg was very helpful and always encouraged her to achieve her best, Pelliccia noted: "He had confidence in me when I didn't have confidence in myself. I'm grateful to all my professors and my four years at the Mount!"
The Mount's Communication, Art, and Digital Media program encompasses the study of journalism, video production, advertising, public relations, art, design, and film studies at the college. Housed in the Mount's Division of Arts and Letters, the program prepares students for both traditional and emerging professions.