Campus Involvement Guides Senior into Entertainment Industry

ALBANY, N.Y. (April 6, 2016) -- As a University at Albany freshman in 2012, Julia Day could have never imagined she would spend a summer in Times Square interning for one of the largest television networks in the country.

Four years later, the soon-to-be graduating senior, has done just that, and so much more.

A dual major in communications and marketing, Day was hired last summer as a social media and digital marketing intern at Nickelodeon (part of Viacom Media Networks). Reporting to corporate headquarters in New York City, she managed Nickelodeon’s Tumblr page, while also assisting with a variety of other responsibilities including creating GIFs and memes for Twitter, analyzing data for marketing campaigns, helping launch Instagram contests, updating Pinterest boards, testing new mobile applications, and creating live social media content for the Kids Choice Sports Awards.

UAlbany senior Julia Day (pictured above) was hired last summer as a social media and digital marketing intern at Nickelodeon.

It was a surreal experience for Day, who grew up watching classic Nickelodeon cartoons like “SpongeBob,” “The Fairly Oddparents,” and “Hey Arnold.” It was also a proud moment for her father, who spent over 20 years in sales at Paramount Pictures.

“A lot of my personal interest in entertainment and media comes from my dad. He exposed me to the industry at a young age,” Day said. “When I heard back from Nickelodeon, I was ecstatic, not only for the nostalgic appeal, but also because it was such an incredible opportunity.”

While interning at Nickelodeon was the ultimate prize, Day said her experiences at UAlbany have led her to where she is today.

A native of Syosset, N.Y., Day initially struggled with the college transition, and even considered transferring closer to home. Her perspective entirely changed, however, once becoming more involved on campus. By sophomore year, she had joined various clubs, including the Albany Student Press (ASP) and Albany Student Television (ATV).

“By joining clubs like the ASP and ATV, I started meeting other students who shared common interests with me and developed a great group of friends. It really solidified my opinion that UAlbany was the right place for me,” Day said. “Becoming more involved was the best decision I’ve made as a student.”

Today, Day is the Arts and Entertainment Editor for the ASP, and has produced/acted on various shows for ATV, including “Nerdatory” and “Lights, Camera, Action.” She also works as a student assistant in the University’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Off-campus, Day completed a marketing internship at WAMC – Northeast Public Radio in Downtown Albany during her junior year, and is currently working with SUNY’s Office of New Media as a social media intern.

“Looking back on my last four years, it is amazing how much I’ve matured, both personally and professionally,” Day said. “I can’t say enough about what UAlbany, and the Capital Region, has done for me. I am forever grateful.”

With graduation just a few months away, Day said she is hoping to be back in New York City this summer. She’s leaving the possibility of a Nickelodeon reunion open, but has also applied to positions at various entertainment-related companies, including HBO, Showtime, and NBC Universal.

To learn more about Day, view her official bio page on the SUNY Blog. Also, see where other students recently interned, view UAlbany’s 2015 summer opportunities feature.

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