A Bronx resident has successfully completed one of the most competitive apprenticeship programs in New York City.
Kingsbridge native Steven Soto graduated from the College of Mount St. Vincent with a degree in business. After years as a sale rep for Enterprise Rent-a-Car, he decided on a career change.
The 28-year-old started working as a production assistant for Fox News in March 2010. He knew immediately that this was a job he wanted to explore further, so he applied for the FOX News Ailes Apprentice Program to further advance in the media field.
On Thursday, October 27, Soto and just three others graduated from the competitive course.
Soto said the program was one of the best things he has ever done in his life and is looking forward to using all of his recently acquired skills for further advancement.
“The sky is the limit here and I have so many different opportunities that I can go into now,” Soto said. “The Apprentice Program was a huge learning experience. It not only taught me more business aspects, but also taught me more about myself and what I’m capable of doing. I love my job here at FOX and I look forward to coming into work every day.”
The program, which was developed by FOX News chairman and CEO Roger Ailes, is a one-year program that provides apprentices an opportunity to move into a full-time staff position at the program’s conclusion if they are not working with FOX already.
While enrolled in the program, the apprentices attend monthly meetings with a dedicated mentor to discuss personal performance and career goals, developmental meetings with the FOX News Channel and FOX Business Network executives and on-air-talent to learn more about various parts of the company, online seminars, projects, invitations to networking events, and more.
“I was very successful with my old job, but I dreaded going to work every day,” Soto said. “When I was younger I always thought about
working for a television network and I had done some video-editing work while I was in college. Now, I could not be any happier. This program has allowed me to evaluate myself and I’ve learned what I am capable of accomplishing.”
Soto continues as a production assistant and is working on daytime FOX programs as well as at the media desk. He is also currently exploring other opportunities at FOX and hopes to rise through the ranks at the renowned network.
Reach Vito Signorile via e-mail at vsignorile@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 742-3383.
