Presentation slide for UC Berkeley BCEC's Television Committee Meeting on March 30 at 7:30 PM

1. BCEC Television
Committee Meeting
Expanding Your Network
March 30, 2014
Rachel Kang | hirachelkang@gmail.com

2. Agenda
• Icebreaker: Spring Break
• Industry News
• Building Your Network
• Informational Interviews
• Keeping in Touch
• Assignment: Informational Interview
• Upcoming Events

3. • Beginning in 1994, the company had prospered by airing
reruns of NBC’s Law & Order on its flagship network, A&E
• The now-renamed A+E Networks is approaching its 30th
anniversary and boasts 18 of the top 50 cable shows
• ―Programming has to evolve. MTV doesn’t play music
anymore. The biggest programs on AMC are Walking
Dead and Mad Men—not movies. A+E has gotten younger
and bigger through a combination of unscripted programs
and event programming‖ – Brad Adgate, senior VP
research at Horizon Media
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: A+E at 30: How a Tiny
Network Became a $26 Billion Success Story

4. • 2004’s reality show boom allowed A+E to brand its
channels with low-cost programming
• Shows like Growing Up Gotti and Dog the Bounty Hunter
lowered the average age of A&E by 20 years
• The game-changer for History was the channel’s foray
into scripted programming

5. STUDIO SYSTEM NEWS: The Pros & Cons of
Straight-to-Series TV Pickups
STUDIO SYSTEM NEWS: The Pros & Cons of
Straight-to-Series TV Pickups
PROS:
• Networks don’t waste money on pilots that never get
picked up
• Producers don’t need to go all out on the pilot
• Producers have time to get things right
CONS:
• It’s a lot of money if the show fails
• What you see is what you get

6. Networking
Learning how to network effectively is one of the most
powerful tools an individual can use to advance their
personal and professional life
This skill can help you land your dream job, score a
promotion, and become close with the leaders in your
industry
Source: Business Insider

7. How to Get Started
If you’ve never done it before, networking can seem
intimidating, but the only way to get better is to
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!
Try to be active in the 4 types of networking groups
1. Casual contact networks (networking events, industry
mixers, speaker panels, career roundtables)
2. Knowledge networks (professional organizations, such
as BCEC)
3. Strong contact networks (groups that meet frequently
to build professional relationships, such as Berkeley
Film Friends)
4. Online networks (professional social media services,
such as LinkedIn)

8. Informational Interviews
One of the most effective networking techniques,
an informational interview is an opportunity to
gather career and industry information from a
professional by asking a series of questions
Conversations can take place over email, on the
phone, or in-person (e.g., coffee chat or lunch)
Usually initiated through an introductory email
NOT a solicitation for a job or internship

9. Finding Contacts
The ideal subject is someone who holds a position that
you are interested in
LinkedIn is a great source! Join relevant groups, follow
companies, and search for for positions you’d like to
hold
You can also search for human resources
managers/recruiters to ask them about the hiring
process, as well as what jobs are available at their
company

10. Introducing Yourself
HAVE AN EFFECTIVE SUBJECT LINE. Address your specific intention and make it
personal. Mention the receiver’s name to grab their attention, such as ―Catherine –
Request to Chat‖ or ―Catherine – Request from a Berkeley Student.‖ If you’ve been
referred by someone, include that, such as ―John Smith Suggested We Connect.‖ An
empty or awkward subject line will be deleted.
INTRODUCE YOURSELF. Take 1-2 sentences to explain who you are and how you
got your contact’s email. Try to find some common ground, such as if you admire their
blog posts or went to the same school. If you were referred by someone, mention it.
STATE YOUR REQUEST. Explain why you are reaching out and what you hope to
gain from the connection. Include 1-2 specific questions that can be answered in a
response.
KEEP IT SIMPLE. Do not include any attachments. If they want to see your resume,
they will ask for it.
CLOSE THE SALE. Include your contact information and availability. Ask for an
opportunity to connect again for a more in-depth conversation. Face-to-face is most
effective.

11. Template: General Purpose
Subject: Sally – Request for a Chat
Good morning Sally,
My name is [name], and I am a student at UC Berkeley interested in entering
television development. I got your email address after reading your profile on
the Cal Alumni Network earlier today.
I saw that you also majored in media studies. When looking at your career
journey, I’m inspired to ask for your guidance on a few questions—would you
have 20 minutes to meet on the phone or over coffee?
Let me know if you have a few minutes to meet up in the next week or two. It
would be great to connect! I look forward to hearing from you.
Best,
[Name]
[Contact Info]

12. When You Have a Mutual Friend
Subject: Eric – Request to Chat from a Friend of Emily
Hi Eric,
I’m a student who has worked with Emily. She knows that I want to work in television
production and suggested that I speak with you. I’m currently making time to develop
my skills and focus on what’s really important when it comes to hiring professionals in
this field. I’ve had a look at your IMDB page and really enjoyed your work on Name of
Show.
I’d love the opportunity to spend 20 minutes to discuss your career path, as well as
what your expectations are for hiring production assistants and working with them.
Would it be possible to have a coffee chat sometime? I understand you are very busy,
so you could also answer these over email.
If you are free, I’m available during the following times:
[list times]
Best regards,
Jill

13. Someone Who Might Remember
You
Subject: Grace – Hope You Remember Me
Hi Grace,
My name is Debra, and I am a student at UC Berkeley. I’m hoping you remember me from the
BCEC Film and TV Speaker Panel that was held last March. I had a great time speaking with
you and felt that I learned a great deal about animation from your talk about working at Pixar.
I’d love to hear your take on the future of CGI film for 20 minutes over a cup of coffee. I know
you’d be a well of information on the subject and hope you can shed some light on your work.
I’d especially love to know what your transition has been like after graduating with an EECS
major.
I hear Peet’s down the street from the office is great. Either way, I’ll work around your
schedule.
Think you’d be interested?
Thank you,
Debra

14. How to Prepare
Do your homework. Research this person and the company they work
for. Let the person know if their work has impacted you, and ask a
question about what you’ve learned and how it might apply to something
you are doing. This is a great reward for the person you are contacting
and lets them know of their impact in the field they work in.
Dress for success. Regular business attire is appropriate.
Bring your resume. The interviewee may ask for a copy, and you can ask
them to offer suggestions on how to make it more effective for obtaining a
job in this field or company.
Call or email to confirm your appointment.
Great your interviewee with a moderately firm handshake and bright
smile
Prepare a list of questions.

15. Decide if and how you will record information.
Make sure to ask for permission before you
record.
Arrive on time.
End the interview when you promised to.
Ask if you can stay in contact. Ask for their
business card and whether they have any
referrals they could suggest.
Thank the interviewee (and then again in a
thank you note)

16. Sample Questions
1. What are some entry-level opportunities in this
field/organization?
2. Tell me about your career path and those
common in this field.
3. What kinds of entry-level jobs or internships do
you think are good training ground?
4. What is a typical day on the job like?
5. What is the corporate culture of your company?
6. Can you recommend anyone else for me to
speak with?

17. Worst Communication Mistakes
Professionals Can Make
3 things affect whether you’re seen as having as having potential
leadership potential, according to a study by the Center for Talent
Innovation: projecting gravitas, maintaining a polished appearance, and
having great communication skills
Sentence hijacking. Avoid the temptation to finish someone’s
sentence. If someone else has interrupted them, you can redirect by
saying, ―Let’s go back to what Susan said.‖
Overgesturing. Talking too much with your hands diminishes your
power. Wear a watch or bracelet to remind yourself not to overgesture,
or try sitting on your hands.
Talking too quickly. To find the right pace, mimic your favorite news
anchor.

18. Keeping in Touch
• Write a thank you note to the people you have interviewed.
Report back to them if you have followed up on any
suggestions.
• Stay in touch with all of your professional contacts, past
internship coordinators, past employers, and past coworkers.
• You want people to remember who you are and to cultivate
stronger relationships with professionals. The idea here is that
you are reaching out to say hello and not because you need
something. Students tend to only get in touch with professional
contacts when they need a job, resume building, a letter of
recommendation, or a referral.
• Get in the habit of reaching out consistently just to say hello
and not to ask for anything
• Remember that networking is about being genuine and
authentic, building trust and relationships, and seeing how you
can help others

19. Assignment: Informational
Interview
OBJECTIVE: Schedule an informational
interview with someone you wish to learn from,
career-wise
• Find your potential subject and their email address
• Let me know if you need help getting contact info
• Forward me the email you send
• If they respond, schedule the informational
interview
• Best of luck, and let me know how it goes!
DUE Saturday, April 5 by 11:59 PM

20. Upcoming Events
SUPERB Presents: Game of Thrones
College Tour – Tuesday, April 1 at 7 PM
360 of the Video Game Industry: A
Roundtable Networking Event -
Thursday, April 3 at 8 PM
CBS San Francisco Studio Tour – date
has been moved to Friday, April 18 at
9:45 AM