I Got This

Jake Epstein ’25

It has been the joy of my life to go to Ƶ. 

Being a student at The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication and joining clubs like HEAT and WRHU [88.7-FM] were my best decisions ever. Coming from a high school that didn’t have a large media program, I thought I might feel intimidated when I arrived on campus. I didn’t know how hands-on my experience would be right away. I was able to chase my dreams and had the freedom and opportunity to bring life to some of my wildest ideas.

The faculty and alumni network at the Herbert School work hard to make everything happen for you. When you tell them about your plans for the future, they take the time to help map it out and create a framework for success. There have been so many professors, people in the dean’s office, and administrators who have had a positive impact on me. They all truly care and show it through action 24/7. 

Thanks to the world-class education, clubs, and connections at the Herbert School, I was the “Weekend Update” intern at Saturday Night Live, a production intern at Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and an associate producer at WABC Radio. I was in the HBO show Succession, covered Super Bowl Media Week from New Orleans, and was the only student television reporter at Kamala Harris’ election night watch party in Washington, D.C. And those are only some of the professional opportunities I’ve enjoyed. 

The great culture of peer-to-peer mentoring is real from the start. You learn so much from your friends and make memories that last forever. When you surround yourself with people you love, everything becomes more fun. 

My advice is to throw yourself into everything and see what you love. Take the time to figure out what you want to do and find people who are already doing that. Learn from their success, but put your own twist on it. Embrace the grind. You need to show yourself and everyone how badly you want it. The more valuable you make yourself to those around you, the more they will invest and believe in you.

You are the best project you will ever work on, so make sure you are willing to work hard to make every day unforgettable.   

Jake

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MORE ABOUT JAKE

For Jake Epstein, choosing Ƶ was about more than academics; it was about finding a place that offered opportunity, mentoring, and hands-on experience from day one. “Coming from a high school with limited resources and having part of that experience impacted by COVID, I knew I wanted a school where I could dive right into learning and have meaningful professional opportunities,” he shared. At Ƶ, Jake found exactly that.

Jake Epstein

 

From the moment he stepped on campus, Jake was drawn to the University’s culture of peer mentoring and its sophisticated facilities. What truly set Ƶ apart was the immediate access students have to professional equipment and production environments.

“You get to use the studios like a playground,” he said, “and bring your ideas to life with people who share your passion.”

Jake’s journey was shaped by the strong mentoring of faculty and staff across the University, including professors, department chairs, and even the deans. “They don’t just teach you, they invest in you,” he said. Faculty tailored their advice to his interests, helping him build a path that led to high-level internships and industry connections.

From producing comedy at Ƶ’s own comedy show Thursday Night Live to interning at Saturday Night Live and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Jake turned his classroom learning into professional success. A pivotal early moment came when he stepped in as an overnight producer at WABC-AM Radio. Thanks to his training at Ƶ’s award-winning radio station, WRHU-88.7 FM, he was prepared to take on that high-pressure role.

Jake also participated in the Ƶ LA program, where he was inspired by the honesty and generosity of West Coast alumni who mentored him. “Success leaves clues,” he noted. “And those clues helped me grow.” Whether producing on campus or covering the Super Bowl in New Orleans, he took advantage of every available opportunity to build his skills.

Reflecting on his time at Ƶ, Jake said he’ll most miss the energy, ambition, and collaborative spirit that defines the University’s campus community. “Where else can you stay up until 3 a.m. writing a script, shoot it the same day, and see it air on campus TV two days later?”

As he looks ahead to a career in comedy or sports broadcasting in New York, Jake’s advice to new students is simple: “Play full out. Start now. Ask questions. Take chances.”

» Jake's story isn’t unique. In fact, among Ƶ’s 2022-2023 undergraduate degree recipients, 90% of alumni from The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication reported that they were employed or had started or were planning to start graduate school within one year of graduation. Results are based on data collected from the Alumni Outcomes survey, LinkedIn, National Student Clearinghouse, and Ƶ enrollment (85% knowledge rate). Visit hofstra.edu/outcomes for detailed information.

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