I recently had the pleasure of visiting my former Radio Production class at Montclair State University, taught by Professor Tom Kaminski, who many of you may know as the chopper reporter for ABC 7 Eyewitness News.
During the class, I had the opportunity to speak with students from a variety of majors within the College of Communication and Media, sharing insights from my career and answering their questions. I focused on three key lessons that have guided me along the way:
✅ Play the long game – Embrace delayed gratification. Success rarely happens overnight, and patience combined with consistent effort is your greatest ally.
✅ Eliminate distractions – It’s easy to follow the crowd or do what’s “popular,” but growth often requires making tough choices and saying no to things that don’t serve your long-term goals.
✅ Invest in relationships – The effort you put into creating and maintaining connections matters. You never know when an opportunity will arise to help someone – or when someone will help you.
College is a pivotal time. It’s a period where you must choose whether to go “all in” or hold back. I made the choice to go all in, dedicating myself to a relentless work ethic and seizing every opportunity to learn and grow. Others opted to hold back a bit, prioritizing what many consider the traditional “college experience.”
What I shared with the students is this: the decisions you make now, how you manage your time, and the effort you put in to build skills and relationships will shape your trajectory long after graduation.
It was incredibly rewarding to reconnect with Professor Kaminski and to share these lessons with the next generation of storytellers and media professionals. Their curiosity was inspiring!
Social Media: @billythebatboy
Billy Pinckney
(862) 377-8737
billythebatboy.com
