By By Amanda DeCamp
Starting off with internship at the New York State Assembly,and later at a gospel radio station, Michael Arens made the most of all his experiences before landing a job with the New York State Senate. The 1991 University alumnus reassures students that being confused about one life goals and career is normal.
“I don’t know if I know now what I want to do, but I’m having fun doing this and I’m a long way from retirement,” Arens said. “A career in public relations is a lot of fun because you can be creative and see a positive reaction to the many different things you do.”
He now works for the New York Senate as the director of the Long Island Regional Office of Communications.
“The best way to describe it [his job] is that I do the public relations for nine state senators,” Arens said. “And that includes assisting press secretaries with marketing, press releases, press conferences and anything that will help any of the senators get a message out.”
He graduated with a degree in communications, specializing in electronic journalism, and a minor in English. With the skills he aquired from the University, he was able to acquire an internship in the New York State Assembly. Arens succeeded at this internship with the help of Michael DeLuis, vice president of University Relations.
At a gospel radio station, Arens read the on-air news. His work paid off soon after graduating, and he received a paid assembly position with Michael Balboni, the current state senator.
One of Arens’s college regrets was not being more involved in University clubs.
“I got something out of every class I participated in because each one was different,” Arens said. “You cover so many different aspects of media. Professors in the communication department were always accessible and focused on the end result, which was not just a degree, but the foundation to land, build and keep a career.”
Ellen Frisina, a journalism and mass media professor, is one of the founding members of the Journalism Alumni Association, along with Arens.
“He is top in his field, is bright and articulate and knows exactly how to do public relations well and ethically,” Frisina said.
One professor at the University who has had a notable impact on Arens is Nancy Kaplan, the chair of the audio, video and film department. Kaplan taught Arens in a television news production class.
“In my dealings with TV media, I can give her a lot of credit for teaching me how a TV news story is created and edited,” Arens said. “Knowing that helps me when I’m pitching a story to TV press because the easier I can make their job, the more likely they are going to give it coverage.”
Kaplan was happy to hear Arens is succeeding and using some of her techniques.
“It’s good to know that his college education is being put to good use,” Kaplan said. “I like having the Hofstra family reaching into public service.”
As a family man who resides in East Islip, Arens enjoys bringing his son to school because he feels it is important to watch him grow up. Some of his role models include Ronald Reagan and State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, who he views as a great leader and communicator.
“I would say study the news so you could know even a little of everything going on in your community, country and in the world,” he said. “I have no time to watch sports because I am a newsaholic.”
To those who are seeking careers in politics, Arens recommends finding an elected official that is of one’s party and shares the same values.
“You’ll have a better working relationship that way,” he said. “And you’ll have an easier time accomplishing your objectives rather than trying to sell something or someone you don’t believe in.”