We recently caught up with Alum Sean Bartley to chat about what he has been up to since graduating from VSU with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Mass Media in 2016.
You worked as an intern for Turner in Atlanta, Georgia, how did that help jumpstart your career?
My time as an intern at Turner allowed me to build connections and a portfolio that propelled me forward in my career. My connections from Turner taught me the importance of building community not only for personal connection but for career aspirations as well.
What were some of your favorite projects that you have been a part of?
Some of my favorite projects that I was able to be a part of were NBA All-Star, March Madness, The Steam Room, and Handles on NBATV. In my freelance, I did projects with Mara Brock Akil, Megan thee Stallion, and Young Jeezy.
Can you tell us about the greatest accomplishment you’ve had while working in this field?
One of my greatest accomplishments was receiving an Emmy for my work with the social team at Turner Sports. We created exceptional pieces of content that continued to push the boundaries of storytelling. ‘Creating Connect the Series’ is another great accomplishment of mine. Something that started out as just an idea, led to two full seasons on a streaming platform!
How do you think VSU prepared you for your career?
VSU prepared me for my career by giving me quality material to put on my portfolio. It’s important to note that while you build material in class, you still need to create it outside of the classroom. Whether that’s in a student organization or just for fun, continue to create, grow and learn as an artist.
Do you have any advice for current students?
My advice to current students would be to continue investing in yourself, build a community with the people around you, and be a nice person. You’ll meet some lifelong friends in college and it’s important to nurture those relationships. You never know where people will end up in their careers.
