Business Careers in Entertainment Club helps students develop networking skills

When he stumbled into a room where a Bill Clinton impersonator -- clad in leather -- was singing "She Bangs," by Ricky Martin, freshman Jonathan Levey knew he wasn't at the IU Student Television meeting he had planned to attend. Pure curiosity drove him to stay though, and he was introduced to the Business Careers in Entertainment Club. Four years have passed since that first encounter and Levey is now a senior and president of the organization.\nThe club was founded four years ago by Edward Anderson, an IU graduate who now works for Turner Network Sales, and is the fastest-growing student organization at IU, Levey said. \nTo spread the network even further, the club is holding a call-out meeting tonight at 8 p.m. in room 219 of the business school. IU alumnus Dave Weissman, who runs the music promotion company Musical Earth, will speak about his profession and how he got where he is and will answer audience questions.\nIn addition to Weissman, each of the group's eight committees -- which include television, publishing, gaming, theater, sports, radio, music and film -- will give a short presentation about their upcoming plans for the semester.\n"It's a great, informative event, and we also try to entertain, because that's what we're about," Levey said. "In the past, we have had visits from Tupac (Shakur) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (impersonators)." \nAt the heart of the group, however, is its dedication to providing its members with knowledge, experience and direct contacts to business professionals in the entertainment field, according to the BCEC Constitution. In a message on the club's Web site, Anderson writes that he created the club for students whose career aspirations stretch beyond Indiana to gather and make meaningful connections.\n"It's so competitive to get into the entertainment industry, and the more IU students we have working in the industry, the more chances to establish a network and get work in the future," Levey said.\nIn light of these goals, the club brings in guest speakers throughout the year, provides a résumé workshop, sponsors and organizes hands-on events like the King of the Court basketball tournament and a student film festival. The club also plans networking trips to major cities.\nThis year marked the third annual New York City BCEC networking trip, which allowed 36 select student ambassadors to visit 15 entertainment-related companies, such as Broadcast Music, Inc., Jive Records, Major League Baseball, NBC Universal and Time Inc. The five-day trip allowed club members to see executives at work, make connections and possibly even get summer jobs.\n"New York is kind of the mecca of the industry," said senior Sam Worobec, who went on the trip last year. "People could experience the city and get a preview of where they will be working one day, while others saw that it might not be for them."\nWhen Worobec joined the club four years ago, he said he was hoping to learn more about the business side of the music industry after hearing horror stories about artists like MC Hammer, who went from millionaire to bankrupt. As co-director of the BCEC's music committee, he now serves as a mentor for new club members and said he enjoys watching them grow as they gain more knowledge and hands-on experiences.\nAlthough his mainstay in music is business, Worobec said he is still focused on the creative aspect. It is that love of the industry as a whole that Levey said he believes drives the club and its members.\n"There is a lot of money in the entertainment industry, but the common bond is passion for what you are doing," Levey said. "If you're selling something for an entertainment company, you're selling something you love"