Learning in the City That Never Sleeps: Conferences, Commercials, and Creativity
Kevin Gonzalez, MPMT ‘27, participated in CJCxNYC Immersive Fall 2025.
As a Florida Native, studying in New York meant two things: trading the heat for the cold, and swapping classroom lectures with hands-on learning immersions. The CJCxNYC program opened my eyes to the endless opportunities found within the communications field, while navigating the day-to-day life as a student in one of the busiest, most inspiring cities in the world.
Between coffee-fueled days and long subway commutes, I dove headfirst into a variety of conferences that each offered a unique perspective, new skills, and connections that I never could have made back in Florida. From panel discussions with industry leaders to interactive workshops, these experiences helped transform the way I approach my education, my future career, and how I go on about making meaningful relationships.
Fast Company Innovation Festival
Attending the Fast Company Innovation Festival was my first stop in the metropolis! I got to attend conferences that gave me a behind-the-scenes look at how some of the world’s most innovative companies are shaping the future. Beyond the sessions, I was able to network and create relationships with conference attendees, listen to distinguished guest speakers (including Haile Steinfeld), and share an experience with entrepreneurs and creatives looking to make an impact globally. By the end of the festival I not only walked away inspired, but walked away with tangible ideas and connections that I could immediately apply to my career.
New York Film Festival
Attending the New York Film Festival felt like stepping into a different world at the heart of the Lincoln Center. The New York Film Festival is one of the most prestigious and long-running film festivals in the United States, showcasing a perfectly curated array of international and groundbreaking films. I was lucky enough to attend multiple NYFF screenings including The Mastermind, Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, Father Mother Sister Brother, and After the Hunt. I often found myself surrounded by passionate cinephiles, critics, filmmakers, and even some actors like Jeremy Allen White, Ethan Hawke, and James Corden.
As an MPMT student, being in a room surrounded by likeminded individuals helped fuel my creativity and pushed me to think bigger. I not only left NYFF with great movie recommendations, but left with new storytelling perspectives that will continue to influence my creative projects.
TODAY at NBCUniversal
Stepping into the TODAY show at NBC was a surreal experience. I got a behind-the-scenes look at the live taping of the 3rd hour and saw firsthand the amount of teamwork that goes into making the morning show feel effortless. During the visit, I was able to ideate social media campaign proposals for the TODAY show and explain how I believe they could be effectively implemented across the TODAY Show’s platforms.
Production Assistant
During my time in New York, I was able to work as a production assistant on a commercial for a high-end jewelry brand. Working on-set was still somewhat of uncharted territory for me, but I was able to dive in and get an inside look at the precision and creativity behind luxury campaigns and the world of commercial production. I assisted with everything from unloading and loading equipment, to communicating with different department members, to performing imminent tasks alongside the director and director of photography. The experience reinforced for me that New York truly is the center of opportunities and experiences.
Studying in New York City is an experience I will never forget! I was able to check off so many things on my bucket list, learned alongside my peers, and create a tangible portfolio project. I want to give a special thanks to Natalie Asorey for creating the CJCxNYC program and for opening my eyes to the vast number of careers within the communications field. I would also like to thank Dan Yesenosky for being an incredible professor and for showing us how capable we all are of succeeding. This has been a highlight of my journey in the College of Journalism and Communications, and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to experience it!
Category: CJCxNYC Blogs, Student Author
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