Exploring Creativity: Job Shadowing at Seven Mountains Media

Marietta High School tenth grader, McKenzie DeLong, shared about her job shadowing experience with Seven Mountains Media.

For many students, job shadowing provides an invaluable opportunity to explore potential career pathways firsthand. For McKenzie DeLong, a 10th grader at Marietta High School, shadowing Evan Pugh, the Creative Director-Parkersburg Market at Seven Mountains Media, was an eye-opening experience that deepened her passion for graphic design and video production.

McKenzie completed a job shadow as part of her careers course taught by educator Steve Parlin, but more importantly, she wanted to gain insight into the role of graphic design in advertising and media. By working with BB2C, she was paired with Seven Mountains Media, a company known for its engaging and dynamic work environment.

Her day at Seven Mountains Media was highly interactive and immersive. She spent over an hour with Mr. Pugh, diving into the basics of video production and editing. This hands-on experience was particularly impactful, as she has a budding interest in video post-production but has struggled with translating her creative vision into finished projects. Mr. Pugh reassured her that this is a common challenge among creatives and encouraged her to persist in honing her craft, emphasizing that improvement comes with practice and consistency.

Beyond video editing, McKenzie attended a promotions meeting where she had the chance to pitch her own ideas. She also toured the radio stations and met the team behind the programs, gaining a broader understanding of the media industry.

Reflecting on her experience, McKenzie realized the importance of videography in graphic design and is now considering further education at the Washington County Career Center. While she enjoyed the exposure to promotions, she confirmed that her true passion lies in graphic design.

McKenzie highly recommends both Seven Mountains Media and job shadowing in general. She found the team to be welcoming and encouraging, making her feel welcome at the company. She believes that job shadowing is an excellent way for students to explore career paths, gain hands-on experience, and potentially open doors to future opportunities.

For students considering a career in media, advertising, or design, McKenzie’s experience highlights the value of stepping into a professional environment, asking questions, and embracing the learning process. Her time at Seven Mountains Media has set the stage for her continued growth in the creative industry.

A special thank you to Evan Pugh and Seven Mountains Media for allowing McKenzie to job shadow. If you have a student interested in job shadowing or a business or organization interested in hosting a student job shadow, please reach out to our Career Pathway Specialist, Jenna Stewart, at jstewart@bb2careers.org.