By: Lathan “Laytin” Gil
With the graduation of the Class of 2026, there comes one question … WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?!?! I asked some recent graduates about where their journey is taking them, which include former executive staff members of 107.7 The Bronc, Matt Brown, Emily O’Conner, and Alli Burton!
Cruising to Colorado!
Matt Brown ‘25 , is currently the sports director of KRDZ 14.40 AM Radio in COLORADO!!! The move to Colorado was something that definitely needed some adjusting to. Matt definitely had some growing pains. “It’s knee deep in the midwest! It was a huge culture shock. Only 2300 people are in this town and only 10,000 people in the county. It is so rural here. The next town over is 30 minutes away, it was something I really had to get used to.”
Matt Brown was also the Sports Director at 107.7 The Bronc during his last year at Rider University. And going directly into radio after graduation, his time at The Bronc certainly helped his skills. “Oh God yes! The Bronc is one of the reasons why I applied. I saw the job listing and it looked exactly like what I was already doing. Calling basketball, baseball, football [games], I was already doing that. I had to broadcast the sports locally and talk about sports news. I thought I would be great!”
Knowing what he was signing up for, the actual application process was quite unique. “I found the listing on a sportscaster job site, and then I emailed the person who is now my boss an extensive cover letter and three of my reels (which were made while broadcasting at The Bronc). He asked to set up a call with me and we hit it off! He asked me to visit, which I did, and he offered me the job, and I took it.”
Catching The Heat in California!
Former Social Media Director, Emily O’Conner ‘26, got a little bit of a headstart on her job, which is located in Los Angeles, California! “I participated in the Semester in LA program at Rider, and I came here with an internship. After about two weeks I didn’t really like it though so I started searching for others. I eventually found this one at a 2D and 3D animation studio, Bubba’s – LA (which I knew nothing about at the time), and they needed someone to build contracts, do social media, do campaigns, stuff I did at the Bronc. So I went for it.”
The funny thing is, the person who interviewed Emily was actually a Rider University and 107.7 The Bronc alumni! Which goes to show how networking and connections in college do matter! You never know who you will run into that has experienced the same things as you! “The person who interviewed me, she actually was a Rider University alumni who was a senior when I was a freshman. We were bonding over our time at The Bronc and what we both did there. It was so interesting to see how these people you meet in college really will affect how your life goes afterwards.”
As the internship was drawing to a close, Emily was actually offered a full-time position as a Production Assistant at Bubba’s – LA … the same week she was supposed to leave LA. So what would any sane person do? Of course! She took the job! “When I was a freshman, an orientation leader told me to always say “yes” to every opportunity, and that had always stuck with me throughout my years [at Rider]. I get to work up to where I want to be and it is doing something I love. I could not refuse that.” So Emily found an apartment, packed her things, and moved to LA permanently the day after graduation!
Winding Down to Washington!
Alli Burton ‘26 was also fortunate to have her internship blossom into a full-time position. At SiriusXM’s Fantasy Sports Channel she is their Associate Producer! “Getting my internships early and building my resume throughout college really helped me feel prepared for this and genuinely made me feel very excited!”
107.7 The Bronc is more than just a club or organization. It’s training. Training for the real world. Alli cites The Bronc as the place that gave her enough experience to handle the workload. “The Bronc gave me lots of hands-on experience that you can’t get in the classroom. Not even just work, but communication skills, deadlines, and being creative. It showed employers I got involved outside of class and I took initiative. Which helped me stand out.”
The Real World
Adjusting to the real world was not easy for any of our alumni. But Alli claims that dealing with changes through college is actually helping her with her transition, “With the schedule changes every semester, you start to get more flexible. When you get into the real world, it does become more strict, but the experience of change in college helped it to be managed easier!”
And with that, our Baby Broncs have flown from the nest! And everyone had the same thing to say as their advice to their younger classmates who still have time before they graduate,“Get involved ASAP and don’t wait until your senior year to start building experience! Take that internship, step up to the plate with work, network with professionals, and say yes to every single opportunity thrown at you even if they’re outside your comfort zone. Trust me, every experience teaches you something and helps build connections. Also, don’t be afraid of rejection, every application and interview is practice, and persistence really does pay off!”
Everyday is something new, but do not stress, as everything always works itself out. And that definitely stands true if these glorious alumni have anything to say about it! Take the risks, believe in yourself, and put in the work. Make sure to watch out for what they do next on Alumni In Action!