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Going into college, Hunter Ryan Murray 25 was focused on writing, media, and the 51 sports scene. He leaned into those interests at Emmanuel; creating some lifelong memories and exploring new career paths along the way.
I think very highly of the Emmanuel Communications [and Media Studies] department, said Murray. Many of my professors have done hands-on work in journalism and communications. They provided an inside perspective I came in as a writer, and learned a lot about the media landscape.
Internships with Channel 7 and Simmons University provided key highlights for Murray journey as a Communications & Media Studies major. He was looking for experiences like that when he chose Emmanuel.
When I was learning about Emmanuel, what stuck out to me was that internships are a graduation requirement, and the College will help you get them, he said. I want to work in sports and Emmanuel has a lot of connections in 51, so I thought the chances of having great opportunities would be pretty high.
From the Newsroom to the Locker Room
A New Hampshire native, Murray grew up watching the evening news with family. It was a big part of how he followed sports, and he enjoyed being part of that world as a Channel 7 Sports Department intern this spring.
The field work was fun; I went to a Bruins game and a Celtics game as a media member, said Murray. I watched the game and then afterward Id go into the press conference rooms and into the locker rooms to help get sound from some of the player interviews."
Those moments hit me as almost surreal, he added.
The fieldwork was a mix of observation and hands-on learning. One day he might shadow a reporter on an assignment, another hed assist the photographers or help with audio.
There was also ample opportunity for Murray to learn in the newsroom. He practiced various forms of writing for the broadcasts, and contributed administratively by logging useful information and filing away content for future use.
It was never a dull moment, and Murray said it was energizing to be part of an environment where people are so passionate about their work. He learned a great deal from staff on both sides of the camera and acknowledged the important role Emmanuel had in preparing him to make the most of those opportunities.
Emmanuel really preaches connection, knowing people and networking, said Murray. I think that definitely helped me a lot, because now when Im at internships and jobs, Im focused on making connections with people.
Emmanuel Leslie Ferrick McCafferty Career Center served as another important connection on Murray journey. Prior to seeking out internships, he met with his career advisor, Assistant Director of Professional Development & Mentoring Kristen Fraser, to review his resume and discuss tips for writing strong cover letters. She also visited Murray internship course several times this spring to provide advice and guidanceand he said it was quite helpful.
They would come into the class and give us tips on how to get internships, how to handle interviews, things like that, said Murray. Emmanuel does a really good job of giving students resources that push us in the right direction.
An Inside Perspective on Sports Communications
College sports wasnt on Murray radar initially, but he had a great experience as an intern with the Simmons athletic department in the fall of 2024.
The opportunity grew out of discussions with Lecturer Daniel Holbrook, who is coordinator of the Emmanuel Sports Management program. He has a longstanding relationship with the Simmons athletics communications team, and thought it would a good fit for Murray interests.
Interns there always get good projects that really allow them to showcase what theyve done for future employers, said Holbrook. They may give you tasks that are outside your comfort zone a little bit, but youll be better for it.
The internship was flexible about tailoring duties toward Murray interests. His focus was typically on writing: For the big games, he produced previews and post-game recaps. He also handled social media, updated player bios and generally contributed where needed.
I had a lot of fun at that internship, said Murray. It definitely opened by my eyes to college athletics and it something Im looking at now.
A Foundation of Theory and Practice
While writing was the focus, media theory was an important component of Murray course of study at Emmanuel. He learned a great deal about forms of media writingand the platforms they work best withfrom his advisor, Assistant Professor of Communication & Media Studies Dr. Caitlin Lawson.
She was always great about knowing the platforms and current media landscape, and helping us tailor our work toward different purposes, said Murray. I had her as a professor for different courses over four years, and I feel that I grew as a writer each year under her.
Balancing theory and practical application is a priority for Emmanuel Communications & Media Studies program. The entry-level courses provide a foundation with theory, research methods, and professional communications. From there, students can delve further into theory or critical analysis, or explore practical applications, such journalism, health or sports industry communications, public relations, or marketing. Whichever route students take, Dr. Lawson said that overlap of theory and practice remains a common thread.
Our vision for the program is that these things are two sides of the same coin, said Dr. Lawson. In some of my more academic classes, students are encouraged to find different ways to present their research findings; theye welcome to do blogs, podcasts, things that would be more likely to be included in a professional portfolio, if theye working on building that as they go out into the job market.
Sports journalism is Murray primary career goal. But he also considering college communications as a way to mitigate the cost of graduate school. Whichever direction he takes, Murray is interested in seeing where his primary interest takes him.
I know for sure that I love to write, said Murray. Im being open minded as to where Ill go from here.
