Students team up to strengthen careers

Three and a half years ago, Eddie Anderson was in pursuit of a dream. He came to IU in hopes that the renowned Kelley School of Business would have the resources to help him penetrate beyond the iron-cast gates surrounding the frenzy of the entertainment industry. With frustration seeping in as question after question went unanswered, Anderson finally got his answer -- the Business Careers in Entertainment Club.\nAnderson's idea to found the new club came after mounting aggravation over the lack of resources at IU concerning careers in entertainment. After one day stepping on a copy of the Kelley school's newspaper, The Tenth Street Times, and reading an article about a business entrepreneurship club, he knew it was time to take action. In fall of 2002, the BCEC began its new life and has since grown to be an oasis of information for students like Anderson. \n"You've got one of the best music schools in the world, one of the best business schools in the world and you got all these great sports, but there was no outlet to place your love for these industries and actually turn it into a career," said the club's Music Committee Director Bryan Honan. \nAnderson created this outlet in hopes that students from the various schools at IU would be brought together by the same zeal for entertainment. \nThe club is divided by eight different committees comprising an array of media niches in entertainment and sports from publishing to music. Each committee is devoted to creating mock projects so members to acquire valuable experience. \nAnother facet of the club includes helping members make viable contacts in the industry. \nThe club also strives to help members with contacts by hosting an annual networking trip to New York City to provide interpersonal interaction between members and seasoned professionals. \nThe club has visited an assortment of company headquarters on trips in the past including: Sirius Satellite Radio, NYC Sports Commission, Atlantic Records, IMG, Time Inc., Red Distribution, NBC Universal, MTV Networks and Columbia Records. \nAt Columbia Records, members got to converse with former MTV music show host Matt Pinfield. \nClub President Robb Rosenthal said the benefit of the networking trip is that members get to learn about companies in the industry and also get their foot in the door. The club gets several internship offers as a result of their annual trip to the Big Apple. \n"When you walk into a company's headquarters and you meet with company executives and later send them your resume and tell them you were there, they'll remember you," Rosenthal said. \nWith many different business-oriented organizations already on campus, the club forged ahead existing as the only one of its kind. By merging business with entertainment, the BCEC opens itself up to all students from multiple disciples including telecommunications, journalism and music. \n"What separates us from other clubs is that we are probably the only club that is actually dedicated to providing a service that the university provides," Rosenthal said. "We're doing this for people that are serious about their careers and who want to get ahead in the business world."\nMembers are granted access to a database of contacts for networking purposes and are also taught industry literacy, said club Vice President Jonathan Levey. \n"We like to establish a sense of professionalism and also strive to represent IU in the most professional way," he said. \nThe BCEC has matured from its beginnings into a club with resounding passion for entertainment and with strong membership numbers to back it up. \nThe club has also scheduled Bob Allen, a former Milwaukee Braves/Brewers Public Relations Director and Sports Agent to speak at the BCEC's call-out meeting 8 p.m. tonight in BU219. \nFor Rosenthal, Levey and Honan, BCEC will be embarking on another life-altering semester for the driven trio. \n"I knew it was going to change my life," said Rosenthal. "It's been great from a business standpoint. I know I'll probably find a job when I get out, and I've made a lot of friends along the way. It's just totally changed my whole college experience."\nWhen Levey met founder Anderson, his passion was contagious. Levey felt inspired to be involved with BCEC and help his fellow peers forge not only a career path but a lifestyle. When Anderson founded BCEC, little did he know he would be opening up a door of opportunity for future IU students like himself. \n"I have a legacy at IU for leaving something behind," said Anderson. "Students who felt the frustration that I did don't have to feel that anymore." \n-- Contact Staff Writer Laura Haynes at lkhaynes@indiana.edu.