While at Rider, Anita landed five internships that contributed to her proficiency in video production, both in the local community, in New York City and abroad. A contact from one of her internships was instrumental in kick-starting her career after graduation with an opportunity to join a growing video team.
Why Anita chose Rider
Growing up in Bucks County, PA., Anita Chomenko knew that Rider, a close-knit university in nearby New Jersey, was the best fit for her and the place she aspired to go after high school. Anita had taken the time to read the experiences and success stories of other students on the Rider University website and she was inspired to become one of them.
Anita’s path was a learning experience from the ground up. Although she had no prior video or television production background, she chose to major in filmmaking, TV and radio. She had a passion and aimed high, intending to be part of the vibrant New York City market. It wasn’t long until she realized that what you put into a program reflects on what you get out of it. With the guidance of her professors and her natural drive, she propelled herself to become the success story she is today.
Rider gave me the opportunity to build on my creative experience and get involved right away. Each week I had new opportunities to keep shooting, keep editing and keep learning.
Video Producer, Apartment Therapy Media
Rider’s impact on Anita’s career
The community at Rider enabled Anita to foster relationships with professors and students. Working together on projects laid the foundation for peer networking, a life skill that she has carried with her while finding her footing as a video producer in New York. Five internship experiences over the course of four years provided a wide range of opportunities in the field including editing videos for magazine websites, assisting on commercial sets and creating a variety of promotional videos for different audiences.
Through coursework and time in the TV studio, Anita honed her journalism, storytelling and technical skills. Along the way, she explored her profession through real-world experiences. With other Rider students, she attended the National Broadcasting Society convention in different U.S. cities. The summer prior to graduation she enrolled in a month-long media program in Urbino, Italy, with Dr. Barry Janes, a professor of communication. While there she created a multimedia journalism project featuring a local cheesemaker. Looking back, these were the building blocks that helped shape her future career.
Continued success
Following graduation, Anita started as a production assistant at Apartment Therapy Media in New York, a home and décor site offering design inspiration and tips. She has since been promoted to video producer.
Her days at work are varied and fun: She may create a video on unique storage solutions, caring for your plants or tips to paint a wall. She enjoys visualizing each project, filming it, pulling it together in the editing phase and seeing it go live on the company’s website.
Anita has another passion — scuba diving. A future goal is to become a certified scuba dive master and work as an underwater videographer. While the setting of New York City couldn’t be more in contrast to an underwater coral reef, Anita knows that the creative skills acquired at Rider can translate to any locale. One day she hopes to learn the art of underwater photography and capture the beauty of ocean life.