Hear from recent college graduates and hiring managers about the job hunt process, and get tips for your own search.
Panelists
Bill Bleyer (attending virtually)
Bill Bleyer was a prizewinning staff writer for Newsday for 33 years before “retiring” to write six books on Long Island history (so far) and freelance for the newspaper and magazines. The Hofstra University graduate has taught economics and journalism there and history at Webb Institute. The former Press Club of Long Island President and SPJ Region One director has been a recruiter for Newsday and Gannett newspapers.
Kathleen Kiely, Producer at WCVB Channel 5 Boston
Kathleen Kiely is an Emmy award-winning producer for “Chronicle,” a television newsmagazine. Since its beginning in 1982, “Chronicle” has shared the stories of New England with its viewers. Kiely graduated RWU with a B.A. in Journalism in 2013.
Jeniece Roman, CTSPJ board member, WSHU Public Radio
Jeniece Roman is a reporter for WSHU Public Radio, a member station of National Public Radio. Roman joined the station as a Report For America corps member. She writes about Indigenous communities in Connecticut and Long Island, New York.
Prior to joining WSHU, Jeniece covered local government and education for the New Britain Herald in New Britain, Connecticut, and was a breaking news and crime reporter for the Record-Journal newspaper in Meriden.
Megan Willgoos, WPRI 12.
Willgoos is a reporter and producer for The Rhode Show at WPRI 12. She graduated from RWU summa cum laude in 2020 with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in graphic design. Following graduation, she flew across the country to Medford, Oregon where she became a multimedia journalist, anchor and producer. Prior to joining WPRI, she was a multimedia journalist and anchor at WGME CBS 13 in Portland, Maine.
Moderator
Chris Vaccaro
Chris R. Vaccaro is a media executive, professor and author from Long Island. The SPJ Region 1 Coordinator and SPJ RC Caucus Chair, is a former president of the Press Club of Long Island. Professionally he is the Vice President of Digital at Altice USA, News 12 Networks and Cheddar News. He is also the Director of Graduate Journalism and an Assistant Adjunct Professor at Hofstra University.