Alumni mentorship helps students gain valuable industry experience and creates new opportunities for career growth and personal development

Rochester, New York – In the world of film, where opportunities are often defined by connections and timing, mentorship can be the bridge between a student’s ambitions and the realities of the industry. For RIT student Marica Joseph, that bridge came in the form of an alumna who not only opened doors but also showed her what it means to give back and build community.

Joseph, a sixth-year double major in film and animation – production option and English from Mount Vernon, N.Y., knew early on that breaking into the field wouldn’t be simple. But she also understood that networking, especially with people who had walked the path before her, could make all the difference.

“It’s nice to have a connection while you’re still growing and learning as a student,” said Joseph. “Connecting with people actively working in the industry feels like a step forward that is so valuable. When you get that opportunity, you have to latch on and make the most of it.”

From Magazine Article to Mentorship

Her journey into this new mentorship began last fall after she came across an article in RIT’s University Magazine. The feature profiled alumna Chris Wairegi ’14, a Brooklyn-based cinematographer and the founder of 600 Black Women. The nonprofit collective brings together Black women, femmes, and gender-expansive professionals in motion picture filmmaking, photography, and publicity, all members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 600 guild.

Joseph was intrigued not only by Wairegi’s accomplishments but also by the vision behind the organization. She decided to reach out directly to learn more.

“Seeing that she was uplifting black women, making a community for people to feel safe, and creating a resource that past generations didn’t have was inspirational,” Joseph said.

What began as an email introduction soon turned into a mentorship connection. Through virtual meetings and conversations, Wairegi welcomed Joseph into the fold and later invited her to attend the group’s flagship event, the Camera Cookout.

A Space to Learn and Belong

The Camera Cookout, held annually during Juneteenth weekend, has become one of the signature ways that 600 Black Women supports emerging talent. The event blends hands-on technical workshops with social gatherings designed to encourage mentorship and networking.

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While it was created specifically for members, the group also opens its doors to mentees—students and early-career professionals who want to learn from industry insiders. This year, Wairegi noted, the attendees were split almost evenly between members and mentees.

Mentorship, she said, is at the heart of her work.

“For me, it feels like an opportunity to give back and, hopefully, mold the industry into a place that is more welcoming to more kinds of people. It gives me a chance to feel like I’m doing something to make a space I love even better,” said Wairegi.

Her efforts have already reached far beyond New York. Today, 600 Black Women mentors can be found not only in the United States but also in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, England, and Canada, making the organization an international network of support.

A Full Circle Moment

For Wairegi, meeting Joseph was more than just adding another mentee to the list. It was a return to her own beginnings, when she too was an RIT film student searching for guidance.

“My impetus for making the group was to help people who were in the same place I was when first starting out—when I felt like I didn’t have someone to ask questions or help guide me,” she said. “You do your best to prepare for the reality of the industry as a student, but if you have the opportunity to ask people working in roles you aspire to, it can save you some headaches and heartaches.”

Hands-On Experience

Joseph’s time at the Camera Cookout gave her more than just new names in her contacts list. She gained tangible skills and experiences that she said deepened her confidence. One highlight was a Steadicam workshop at Panavision, where she learned directly from industry professionals about one of the most challenging tools in cinematography. Another was visiting The Garage, a production company founded by RIT alumnus Steve Giralt ’07, who specializes in advertising photography and creative storytelling.

These opportunities, Joseph explained, allowed her to see firsthand the wide range of careers and creative paths within film production. More importantly, it reassured her that there is a place for her in the industry.

Looking Toward the Future

The impact of mentorship has already influenced Joseph’s next steps. This fall, she will take part in the RIT in LA program, a semester-long opportunity that places students in Los Angeles to live, study, and work directly in the industry hub. With the lessons she has learned from her mentors, she feels more prepared for the challenges ahead.

“Trying to break into the field isn’t going to be easy. Especially as a Black woman, there are many battles that continue to increase regardless of how much we try to push. Seeing others who have made it through shows me that it is possible to get past those obstacles,” she said. “If I keep pushing forward, that opens room for more people like me to succeed.”

Building A Legacy

Stories like Joseph’s are exactly why alumni connections matter, educators say. When students see graduates not only thriving but also returning to support those just starting out, it reinforces the idea that success is not just personal—it’s collective.

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Through 600 Black Women, Wairegi has created a model of mentorship that centers on community, equity, and representation. And for students like Joseph, that kind of mentorship doesn’t just help launch a career. It instills a sense of belonging and possibility in an industry that can often feel closed off.

“It’s nice to have a connection while you’re still growing and learning as a student,” Joseph had said at the beginning of her journey. Her experience now stands as proof of just how much those connections can matter.

For Joseph and many others, the road into film is still filled with challenges. But with mentors like Wairegi—and organizations dedicated to lifting others up—that road feels a little less daunting, and a lot more possible.