The Career Conversations Series is Back with Alumni Guest Speaker James Dorgan

By: Karina Valdes

The Career Conversations Series kicks off the spring semester with alumni guest speaker James Dorgan, B.M. ‘90, vice president of music business affairs & legal at The Walt Disney Company. Hosted by The Stein Family Office of Career Services and Internships at the School of Communication, The Career Conversations Series brings together students and working professionals to network, providing an opportunity for students to ask questions and learn about a variety of careers. The conversation with Dorgan takes place on Wed., Feb. 10, at 1: 30 p.m. through Zoom.

“What better way to kick off the series than with Mr. Dorgan representing The Walt Disney Company which, to many of our students, is at the apex of their career ambitions. Mr. Dorgan will tell us more about how a drum-loving ‘Cane ended up in The Walt Disney boardroom and how his company managed to not only thrive, but excel during the pandemic,” said Kebrina Maharaj, manager of career services & internships.

In his role at The Walt Disney Company, Dorgan oversees music negotiations, contracts, and legal matters for Disney Branded Television, creating original content from Disney+, Disney Channel Networks and Disney Television Animation. He also provides music business advice and counsel to select projects from Lucasfilm including The Mandalorian and FX Network Marketing.

Previously, Dorgan worked for Endemol Shine and Warner Bros. where he worked on a wide variety of TV production, music, digital and marketing related matters. Projects included MasterChef, The Biggest Loser, The Bachelor, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, TMZ, Extra, Showtime at the Apollo, The Rosie O’Donnell Show and others. Additionally, Dorgan created and ran the successful WB-owned Telepictures Music Library, which remains widely used across WarnerMedia’s TV and digital projects every day.

“These career conversations aim to inspire and help students pursuing various majors visualize and build their own futures. Particularly, as some of the guest speakers are alumni, students can build on the experiences of ‘Canes who have preceded them. I feel like this is one of the best ways that career services can be of value to students,” said Maharaj.

The Career Conversations Series is set to bring more guest speakers to the School this semester from a variety of professions.

“We are excited to offer an amazing lineup of alumni speakers this year from prestigious organizations like Netflix, Warner Brothers, Conde Nast, Hearst, NBCU, Viacom and more,” said Maharaj.

Last year, The Career Conversations Series hosted documentary filmmaker Billy Corben, B.S.C. ’03, senior copywriter at TEAM Enterprises Ashley Brozic, B.S.C. ’13, and Rick Hirsch, managing editor at Miami Herald, to name a just few.

To register, please visit https://miami.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAude2rrDsqG9UDBJ4BnedV-KVuz_wTR0uE. This event is hosted by The Stein Family Office of Career Services and Internships at the School of Communication with support from the Office of Alumni Relations and the Entertainment Business Network.