College of Communication and the Arts Alum Lands Job at Department of Education  

In September 2022, Hunter DeSimone '19/M.A. '21 started his new job with the Department of Education as a Digital Communications Specialist. A recent graduate from the College of Communication and the Arts, DeSimone is excited for his new role and expressed that the University helped him prepare for his new profession.

Discussing his time at the University, DeSimone shared, “I received my master’s degree with a focus in public relations, because I wanted to learn how to strategically think about creating messaging campaigns and engaging diverse audiences.”

DeSimone continued, “I liked writing articles and creating web content, but I was looking for a way to elevate these responsibilities into a more comprehensive, project-oriented skill set. The graduate program at Seton Hall provided this for me, and I am far more confident in my ability to execute and manage communication campaigns.”

DeSimone also lauded his professors, especially Ruth Tsuria, Ph.D. In her classes, Tsuria described graduate school as being challenging but rewarding. For DeSimone, professors like Tsuria were crucial to both his academic development and growth in overall confidence.

On the importance of the M.A. in Communication program at Seton Hall, DeSimone said, “I credit all my career advancements to my graduate degree. Employers in the communication field want to see if candidates can be an ‘all-in-one’ package, meaning they can both think big picture and be content creators at the same time. The graduate program and specifically Professor McKenna Schray's Strategic Planning and Practical Applications course, were critical in this pursuit.”

DeSimone continued, “I not only enhanced my writing to meet the standards of the communication industry and academia, but I was taught to research, plan, implement and evaluate campaigns at a level I had not been exposed to before. This ’big picture,’ high-level thinking I learned at the University is what helped me bring my professional work into a more significant context and ultimately landed me my new position in the U.S. Department of Education.”

As the new Digital Communications Specialist, DeSimone is tasked with helping create marketing campaigns and strategies that reach prospective students and parents in need of financial help. DeSimone noted, “I feel that I have a real opportunity to help students on an incredibly wide scale.”

When asked if DeSimone had any advice for new graduate students, he said, “Never sell yourself short! By graduating from a master's degree program, you've accomplished an amazing feat and distinguished yourself within the candidate pool. Whether it's a new job, a doctoral program, or any other career goal, be confident in yourself and what you're able to achieve.”

The College of Communication and the Arts offers graduate-level programs in Museum Professions and Communication, with the opportunity to concentrate their study in Public Relations, Digital Communication/Communication Technologies, and Communication in Organizations. The College also offers dual-degree options and an accelerated master’s/B.A. program. A dual M.A. degree with the School of Diplomacy and International Relations is also offered. For more information, please contact Associate Dean Ryan Hudes.

Categories: Alumni