Journalism Alumna Adelyn Biedenbach is Vice President of Communications for the Florida Panthers
Meet Adelyn Biedenbach '12
- Job Title & Employer
- Vice President, Communications, Florida Panthers
- Major/Program
- Journalism
- Minor
- English
- College Activities
- The Globe, Society for Professional Journalists, Honors Program, Honors Student Organization
- Hometown
- Pittsburgh, Pa.
- High School
- Chartiers Valley High School
- Now Living In
- Sunrise, Fla.
- Hobbies & Interests
- Hockey, ballet, social media, yoga
"Point Park's faculty has real-world experience. Most of my professors were still working in the industry and had real-life experiences to share in the classroom."
Tell us about your role with the Florida Panthers.
I oversee communications, broadcasting, media relations and messaging as vice president of communications for the Florida Panthers. I am entering my 10th season with the club and have been fortunate (and grateful) to tell the story of the Panthers, FLA Live Arena and our affiliated groups through media pitching, broadcast partners, written communications and more.
The Panthers made it to the Stanley Cup Final this past season, which was a new challenge for me and our PR team. We enjoyed working daily with TNT, ESPN, local and national media to present coverage and connections throughout the playoff run.
Chrissy Parente, director or corporate communications,
and Adelyn Biedenbach, vice president, communications.
How did you land a job with the Panthers?
I began my job hunt after finishing grad school at Syracuse University. Knowing that my ideal position was in hockey and social media, I reached out to alumni working in those areas just to start conversations with them and learn about their lives, as well as how they landed their jobs.
I'm grateful for the advice and overview they gave me, and it also helped me get into the habit of talking about who I am and reaching out to people on the phone. I applied to jobs using a website called Teamwork Online and ended up interviewing with a couple of teams. After an extensive interview process, I decided that my best career choice was this one!
Why is it an exciting time to pursue a degree in journalism and/or sports communication?
It’s an incredibly exciting time to be pursuing a career in journalism and/or sports communication. Now more than ever, there’s so much content around sports and room for innovation and growth. Students starting out in this field can bring their fresh perspectives to teams and media companies to help them be the best institution, as well as by helping them engage more with the fans.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love that every day is different and new. I've been with the Panthers for 10 seasons, and no two days are alike. For students pursuing a similar career, know that you will work nights, weekends and holidays, but you will also have coworkers who are like family. Challenge yourself daily, and work in a fast-paced environment that’s always changing, tied to current events, rewarding and fun!
Why did you choose to attend Point Park for your major?
Having grown up in the Pittsburgh area, I always knew about Point Park. When I was in high school, I had the opportunity to take dance classes and participated in Point Park's International Summer Dance Program. I fell in love with the downtown campus and small class sizes. I loved the School of Communication, and after meeting Professor Helen Fallon and the faculty, I felt like it was the right place for me.
How did your Point Park experience prepare you for your career?
Point Park's faculty has real-world experience. Most of my professors were still working in the industry and had real-life experiences to share in the classroom.
What advice do you have for students considering Point Park's School of Communication?
I would say that the friends I made, especially from late nights working and editing at The Globe, are some of the very best people that I know. The School of Communication is just the right size where you can explore your own career goals and get a well-rounded look at the media system and how it operates.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Enjoy your time at Point Park. My four years there prepared me in countless ways for the tasks and industry projects that I face today. Take the time to participate in student-run media and organizations and learn about your field and others.