1 minute read

Former CBS president offers advice on media careers

by Beth Conahan staff writer

CBS's loss is Cabrini's gain. Jonathan Klein, former president of CBS Television Stations, came to Cabrini on Thursday, September 21 to speak with English/ Communication majors about a career in broadcasting.

Advertisement

Klein, now retired after 30 years in the business, called Cabrini and as a result will be teaching here next spring. His class, Media, Sales and Presentations, will meet Wednesday nights.

Klein was the recipient of an Emmy for Public Service and was named Child Advocate of the Year by the Child Welfare League for the public service announcement campaign he started in 1982 in Boston. His announcements, ''For Kids Sake;' were about devoting time to kids.

On the flip side, Klein can also claim some responsibility for Howard Stern coming to television.

"Careers are a part of your life," said Klein. So he offered English/Communication majors three questions to consider: How do they want to spend their life? What are they willing to put into it? And what kind of person are they?

Klein recognized early in his own career that in order to make it, he would need to be willing to move a lot. He was willing to make that sacrifice and moved 11 times. "I found it exciting," said Klein.

Klein points out that it may cause problems in a social life. His proposal to his wife included, ''We're going to have to be prepared to move a lot."

Klein feels that in any career it is important to know that industries can be a lot different from where one starts to where one ends up.

Kleinanswered many of the students' questions. A question about censorship on television got an enthusiastic response.

"If your church or synagogue can't teach you what is right or what to do, how is television supposed to?" He continued, ''Censorship of almost all kinds is bad."

Another question posed had to do with what kind of questions are asked in an interview.

Klein feels that it's important to know what kind of person someone is before hiring them.

He suggested that everyone be prepared to answer questions like, "What do you do outside of work? What do you really like? Where have you worked? What kind of experience do you have?

Klein encouraged students that, 'Toe opportunitiesin media right now are greater than ever."

This article is from: