Career Paths

My job as a video producer is to tell other people's stories in an engaging way. Because I knew the basics of how to tell a professional story, learning the technical side of using cinema cameras and audio equipment was easy. I can also professionally tell my own story to employers, this skill helped me land my dream job"

I’m proud of the career I’ve built—and grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to interview leaders like Vice President Kamala Harris, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and top U.S. officials, and to break news that’s moved markets. My courses and time with The Blue Banner gave me the foundation in reporting, writing, and media literacy that I rely on every day, along with a deep understanding of how our information ecosystem works in an ever-changing world.”

Mass Communication sharpened my writing, communication, and production skills through courses in journalism, creative writing, video, and design—skills I now use daily in social media marketing. A highlight of my career was producing content for a live table read of Cruel Intentions featuring Amy Sedaris and Justice Smith. My advice: keep learning, hone your technical and copywriting skills, and network—connecting with industry professionals helped me land my first job in Asheville soon after graduating in 2022.”

Within my first year in the film industry, I became an Assistant Production Coordinator, joined the Coordinators Union (IATSE 161), and began running my own department. I’m now transitioning into a Production Coordinator role and helping develop a production company with the team that first mentored me. My advice: take every opportunity for hands-on experience and network—connections helped me land my first job and continue to open doors in the industry.”

Now that I've been in journalism professionally, I can say that journalists are often the ones who make their jobs what they want them to be. Not an editor or a job description. During my final semester on the Blue Banner i created the position of "New Media Editor." In that role, I focused on helping editors and reporters think about new ways of covering stories with a web audience in mind, along with social media. Carving my own way at The Blue Banner prepared me to be agile and adaptive in today's media environment"

Starting my career as a travel writer has been my biggest passion and also my greatest challenge. I’m able to do most of my travel writing through the magazines I currently edit and coordinate, which allows me to merge creativity with storytelling in meaningful ways. The Mass Communication Department prepared me for this path by teaching me everything from the fundamentals of crafting a strong article to the complexities of media law. I use what I learned every day — whether I’m editing for AP style or conducting an interview, those lessons continue to guide me. My motto is “just go” — keep creating, keep putting yourself out there. You’ll hear a hundred no’s before one yes, but that one yes can change everything."

I founded my PR company, Allie Haake Communications, in 2019 to help businesses across fashion, food, home, health and wellness craft compelling stories and reach target audiences. UNC Asheville was pivotal in my development, I gained invaluable insights and tools that shaped my career."

For anyone pursuing a career in film, networking is everything. The industry is constantly growing — with companies like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu producing more content than ever, skilled film professionals are in high demand. Through my film production classes, I gained a deep understanding of how a film set operates and the many specialized roles required to bring a project to life. The short film my class produced during my senior year showed me just how much effort goes into creating even 30 minutes of content. Now, I help produce an hour of television every eight days — and I see firsthand how every person’s unique role contributes to making it all come together.