Brian Jones: It Pays Off

If the radio is dead, someone needs to inform Brian Jones. Jones, 46, of Tivoli, N.Y. graduated from New Paltz in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in communications/journalism.

For the past two years, Jones has worked as the news director for several Pamal Broadcasting radio stations including WHUD-FM, WSPK-FM, WBPM-FM, WGHQ-AM, WBNR-AM and WLNA-AM, located in the Weschester/Ulster/Dutchess County regions. His career in broadcast journalism spans more than 20 years.

“Yes, the job actually is related to my major,” Jones said. “Although the things I’ve done in broadcasting between graduation and the present day haven’t always been, unless there’s a course called Fundamentals of Wearing The Station’s Mascot Suit. I’ve done that twice, and I’ve covered presidential visits to the region twice.”

His journalism courses at New Paltz taught Jones how to learn from his mistakes.

“I didn’t really know the value of what I’d picked up at SUNY New Paltz until a couple years ago when I was sought out and hired by my current employer barely four weeks after being laid off by my previous employer in a business where thousands of talented professionals are still out of work,” Jones said. “Credit for those bits of luck has to go somewhere and I can’t just hog all of it, and my New Paltz colleagues were key among those who kept me in the right frame of mind to bounce back quickly.”

When it comes to New Paltz students preparing for the uncertain job market, especially communication majors, Jones is optimistic.

“When it comes to that new employer you really want to lock in with, wear the mascot suit,” he said. “In other words, take on the grunt work and all the little things that might not necessarily have shown up during your studies.”

Jennifer Von Willer

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