Student Profiles: Radio/Television/Film

Margaux Pepper: Video Profile Margaux Pepper, radio/television/film major, talks about how classes and student activities serve each other and how easy it is to get involved as a freshman. Watch the video >>

Student Success Story Hayley Schilling, radio/television/film major, spent last summer with some pretty big celebrities—the warring robots of Transformers 3. Read more >>

Rayyan Najeeb: Diversity of interests

When conducting his own college search, Rayyan Najeeb (C13) knew he wanted to find a university where he could pursue his passion for film, psychology, and medicine all at the same time. He found that opportunity at Northwestern.

"I am probably the only RTVF, psychology, premed student ever known to man," Najeeb said. "I feel like when I do anything film related, my passions, experiences, knowledge, and even the way I have to balance and study for all of it take part in the creativity and success of the project."

Many School of Communication students who have academic interests outside of the school opt to double-major.

In addition to having a double-major and a pre-med course load, Najeeb is a member of the campus Muslim Cultural Student Association. He’s also the public relations chair and advisor for the Muslim Youth of North America. He is also currently co-president of Inspire Media, the NU student-run grant board that supports student-produced social-issue films.

Through both extracurricular activities and classes, Najeeb said he has learned as much from his peers as he has from his instructors.

"There is so much to glean from both groups," he said. "It is clear that a lot of thought was put into the curriculum to allow us RTVFers to come out as well rounded individuals with the tools to pursue our passions."

Ryan Hynes: All-around Communication student

Ryan Hynes (C12) may know as much about the School of Communication as any student ever has—and he’s using it to be better at everything he does.

"I've taken classes in nearly every SoC department and consider each of them a very important part of my degree," he said. "I don't know anywhere else that has such a strong communication program coupled with such a strong arts program."

The radio/television/film major has found that skills gained in one area can help him succeed in others.

"I've taken my knowledge of film to help market student theatre on campus," he said. "I've used my experience as an actor to better my direction on film. We're becoming performers, artists, marketers, and speakers in every class we take."

Hynes secured a summer internship at DIRECTV in New York City through the School of Communication’s Office of External Programs, Internships and Career Services (EPICS), has acted in several theatre productions on campus, worked on the school fundraiser Dance Marathon productions committee as a video coordinator, and even works part-time for the school in the dean’s office.

"SoC opens doors for ALL of its departments that you can't fully understand until you're here," he said. "You'll be surprised the talents of your undergraduate classmates and you'll be thankful to be their friends."