Alumni Spotlight: Margaret Holman '73

Tuesday, October 27, 2020 - 9:30am
Margaret Holman
Grad Year: 1973
Major: Broadcasting
Current Position: President of Holman Consulting
Current Location: New York, NY

What is your current role?

I've had my own consulting firm since 1991 here in New York City, helping charities raise money.  

Name a person who helped you be successful at Nebraska and how:

Larry Walklin was my advisor and instructor for many of my classes. He provided me with a strong foundation in journalism ethics and principles as well as the technical aspects of the broadcasting arena as it was in the 1970s.

What was your first job postgrad and how do you think it helped you grow in your career?
My first job was on the camera crew for Nebraska ETV -- among the many things we did was cover the Unicameral, so I got a good dose of how politics and government works (or doesn't). I also was able to work with my first celebrity, Henry Fonda, who came to record intros to an educational series for ETV. That helped prepare me for later in my career working as the director of development and alumni affairs for the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, who had many famous alumni.

Any life changing expereinces?

Going to the University for my last two years of college was life changing in many ways -- but the most impactful was meeting my husband, who was also a graduate of the College of Journalism in the news editorial sequence. We were married for 42 years before he died in 2016.

What would you say is the most important skill or quality to have "out in the real world"?

The ability to relate to people and to learn how to listen effectively.

What advice do you have for current students, prospectives students?

Study hard, take risks, don't be afraid to make mistakes (that's how you learn) and cultivate a network from among your peers and faculty.

Alumni Spotlight: Margaret Holman '73