Bernadette Hogan ’17 has found that you don’t have to major in communication to have a successful career in journalism.  Currently a Video Producer at Spectrum News in Albany, Hogan works on Capital Tonight, a nightly statewide political show hosted by Liz Benjamin.  She spends much of her time working with the show’s state capital reporter, attending Senate hearings, and filming interviews.  The stories that Hogan produces are used either on the show or on its political blog, State of Politics, which she also writes for.  She’s had the opportunity to attend the New York State Democratic Convention, produce Capital Tonight’s primary night coverage, and rub elbows with elected officials.  Says Hogan, “I never would have dreamed that at 23 I’d be working for a statewide political show and learning from the pros, but the liberal arts education I received at Marist prepared me.  All of those subject areas really converge in politics.” 

A double major in English and philosophy, Hogan also minored in Spanish and theatre while at Marist, indulging her interest in multiple academic areas and gaining a well-rounded perspective.  She says, “I’m a firm believer in the liberal arts, so it was important to me to have that type of undergraduate experience.  Marist’s small class sizes were a huge plus, as was the study abroad program.”  An avid horseback rider who was on the College’s equestrian team for four years, Marist’s proximity to a nearby equestrian center sealed the deal for Hogan.

Once at Marist, Hogan had the opportunity to study at Universidad Carlos III in Madrid and to write both news and opinion pieces for the College’s newspaper, The Circle, ultimately serving as editor-in-chief.  She adds, “Doing op-ed pieces in particular was a great experience because it helped me really think through national topics.”  Hogan interned with the political unit of NY1 and participated in the School of Liberal Arts’ Albany Summer Internship Program, working at The Vandervort Group LLC, a lobbying firm in the state capital.  The experience proved to be a great introduction to state politics.

Hogan cites a number of faculty members who were both supportive and influential during her college career, including Professor of English Moira Fitzgibbons, Professor of Art Ed Smith, Associate Professor of English Tommy Zurhellen, Professor of English Richard Grinnell, Associate Professor of Philosophy James Snyder, Assistant Professor of Philosophy Joseph Campisi, Marist Poll Director Barbara Carvalho and Director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion (MIPO) Lee Miringoff, with whom she shares a love for politics.  She is also grateful to Isabel Carrasco from Marist Abroad.  “Because Marist is smaller in size,” Hogan notes, “professors have more time to spend with you, so you develop relationships with the faculty in a way that’s hard to do at a larger school.”

Looking ahead, Hogan wants to be a political reporter, either on television or in print.  She particularly admires the reporting of The Wall Street Journal and attributes her love of business news with the fact that her father was a commodities trader.  Whatever Hogan ends up doing, she wants to be sure to continue writing, including perhaps for the theatre.  Her advice for students looking to get into the competitive world of journalism?  “Learn to become a great writer and speaker and develop the skills that make you versatile.  Ask yourself, ‘What can I do to set myself apart from others?’”