A Summer with Elvis Duran

Kitty Modell-Rosen (middle above) beat out 500 other applicants for the internship of her dreams.

ALBANY, N.Y. (Aug. 28, 2018) — Not many students have the opportunity to intern with a famous personality whom they look up to, but for Kitty Modell-Rosen, such a position – the position of her dreams – was presented this summer.

Modell-Rosen, an incoming junior communication major, is a web editorial intern with “Elvis Duran and the Morning Show,” a nationally syndicated radio program out of New York City that is heard in over 75 markets.

Growing up in Manhattan’s Columbus Circle neighborhood, Modell-Rosen always aspired to a career in the entertainment industry. She sought out an internship with Elvis Duran last summer, but didn’t hear back. Undeterred, she applied for a second time during her sophomore year.

Modell-Rosen was one of 12 candidates selected out of over 500 applicants.

“[It was a] very relaxed interview, we were just talking on couches in the studio’s hallway,” she said. “I really hit it off with one of the executive producers; we just had a lot of fun, which I think is so important in an interview. I knew he was going to remember me.”

Living Her Dream:

As a web editorial intern, Modell-Rosen starts her day by working with the show’s hundreds of affiliates on content for their websites. She then creates social media posts, graphics and images, using Adobe Photoshop, that are used for the “Elvis Duran and the Morning Show” Facebook and Twitter feeds. The social platforms are used to connect thousands of digital fans with daily stories and pop culture trends.

Modell-Rosen (top left) takes a photo with the Backstreet Boys.

Modell-Rosen also runs into celebrities being interviewed on the show. On her first day, she was introduced to Grace VanderWaal, the ukulele-toting singer and past winner of “America’s Got Talent.” More recently, she met the Backstreet Boys and was invited on-air by Elvis Duran to discuss 5 Seconds of Summer’s new album, alongside the Australian pop rock band.

Campus Mentorship and Involvement:

Modell-Rosen said she received mentorship from Sarah Offenbach, UAlbany’s Assistant Director of Career and Professional Development, who helped polish her resume and build confidence before the Elvis Duran interview.

“She became my go-to person last year,” Modell-Rosen said. “It was super great to have someone like her in my corner and cheering me on. I couldn’t have landed this position without support from her and all my advisors at UAlbany.”

Modell-Rosen said her involvement with UAlbany’s student-run radio station WCBD 90.9FM has helped immensely. She built her Photoshop skills as a student assistant with UAlbany’s Programming Board, creating posters and brochures for campus events.

“I love that I can apply the skills I’m getting at UAlbany elsewhere, including my internship this summer,” she said. “I’ll also be bringing what I learn this summer back to campus.”

UAlbany Summer Contest:

Are you completing an internship, research, volunteer work or studying abroad this summer? We want to hear from you for a chance to win a prize and be featured on the University website. Details here.

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