OSWEGO, N.Y. – Students and faculty gathered Monday to hear about the professional journalism experiences of Oswego State alumnus Quindell Williams (‘11) in the Marano Campus Center Auditorium.
Williams works for Syracuse based TV station CNYCentral as a photojournalist and video editor. During his five years at the station, he was part of the team that won a regional Emmy award for best Daytime Newscast. Williams also holds other awards from the Syracuse Press Club and New York State Associated Press.
“I love what I do, I love my job,” he said.
His motivation in life comes from his child. “Every time I look at my son I have to do better, doesn’t matter what it is,” he said.
Williams began his career in broadcasting at CNYCentral as a master control operator for one year, a job he got right out of college. A career fair at Oswego State presented him with the opportunity. He did work to get himself to the point of getting hired as master control.
“Things I did (in college) helped mold and shape me to what I am now,” Williams said.
He spoke to the audience about his time in college, at both Oswego State and Onondaga County Community College. He was involved with several clubs on campus at Oswego State such as the Black Student Union, African Latino Asian and Native Americans (ALANA), WNYO 88.9 FM, and WTOP-TV.
His advice for students, was simple. “Be prepared to seize the moment,” Williams said. “Try to surround yourself with people trying to reach the next level.”
The program was put on by Voices of Diversity, currently in their sixth year of holding events like this one to encourage diversity.