By Heather Cass
Publications Manager, Office of Strategic Communications, Penn State Behrend
Penn State Behrend’s class of 2017 is ready to make its mark on the world! We’re proud of our students and the things they’ve accomplished and learned while here at Behrend. Over the next couple months, we’ll be introducing you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technology, participated in important research projects, and left an impression at Penn State Behrend.
Today, we’d like you to meet Mark Massimino:
Major: Communication
Certificates: Public Relations and Advertising
Hometown: Hunker, Pa.
On choosing Behrend: I only had to visit once to know Behrend was a perfect fit for me. The Communication department staff made me feel so welcome, answered every question I had, and made me excited for my future.
A born storyteller: I took several honors classes when I was in high school and got an early feel for what I did and didn’t like. I have always gravitated to communication. At the heart of it, I’m a storyteller, and utilizing media to share stories is exciting to me.
Campus involvement: I am the production leader of Wintergreen Media, Penn State Behrend’s student-run production company. I also am a show host for BVZ Radio, and I have been published in The Beacon.
Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Leading a team of fellow students in producing videos for area non-profit organizations was, by far, my proudest accomplishment. Balancing clients and classes was challenging, but it was good experience. Every organization posed a different challenge, and we aimed to tackle them and surpass their expectations.
Sports production or bust: I want to work in professional sports video production. I know it’s a difficult field to break into, but working with production crews at the Erie Insurance Arena and UPMC Park in Erie have given me a great starting point. I am taking the right steps to make my dream a reality, and I’m not going to stop until I achieve it.
Passionate about innovation: Every time I get behind a video camera, or the computer screen when I’m editing, I am always trying to innovate and offer a new perspective or a way for people to experience things. I take pride in my work and will never put my name on anything that isn’t the best I can do with the time and resources I have.
Definition of a good life: A good life is spending every day using whatever talents you have to make the world around you a better place. A mentor recently told me: ‘You are in charge of your own destiny.’ I know that I can achieve anything as long as I make a plan and put in the work.
Advice for current students: You get out of college what you put in. Get involved and make use of the tools available to you. Don’t waste those resources!
After his graduation in May, Mark plans to look for work in professional video production, preferably in sports video production.
BEHREND BLOG 