UD PRSSA Hosts Universal Orlando’s Paul Silano for Career Insights and Advice

By: Michael Stoll

On Monday, November 3rd, the University of Delaware’s Public Relations Student Society of

America (PRSSA) welcomed UD Alum Paul Silano, Marketing Manager at Universal Orlando

Parks and Resorts, as a guest speaker via Zoom. Silano joined Universal in 2023, where he

plays a key role in promoting major events around the park such as Halloween Horror Nights,

Holidays at Universal, Mardi Gras and the highly anticipated Universal Epic Universe opening in 2025.

Throughout his career, Silano has worked with people from all around the world to develop

travel packages and drive event engagement. But his path to marketing at one of the nation's top entertainment brands wasn’t a textbook path.

Silano shared that he began with a clear vision for his future. He earned his B.A. in Multimedia Journalism from Florida Atlantic University and later a M.A. in Strategic Communication from the University of Delaware. During college he participated in the Disney College Program in the Mission: Space section at Epcot. He was a Producer/Intern at ESPN West Palm Beach during college allowing him to explore his early interest in sports journalism.

Before landing at Universal, Silano built a diverse resume that included roles such as Marketing Promotions Coordinator and Communications Planner Intern at Disney Destinations. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he pivoted into higher education marketing serving as an Enrollment Counselor, Brand Management Coordinator and Associate Brand Manager at Wiley University Services. These experiences, he said, helped him build flexibility and resilience in an unpredictable job market.

During his talk, Silano offered valuable advice for students preparing to enter the job market:

Work Ethic

- In order to stand out, you need to promote yourself. He encouraged students to

highlight their authenticity and tailor their resumes to each job they apply for. Including keywords from a job positing, he explained, can demonstrate a strong fit and genuine interest in the position

Expect the Unexpected

- “I don’t wake up and know what’s happening,” Silano admitted. He emphasized that in any professional role, unexpected challenges will arise and being able to adapt quickly is key to success.

“Be self-aware, be open-minded”

- Silano reminds students that it’s okay if their first job isn’t their dream job. “Take

things you’re interested in, and run with it,” he said. Silano encouraged members to stay curious and remain open to new opportunities, noting that the job market is tough and competitive. Every experience, he added, can teach valuable lessons and may ultimately lead you exactly where you’re meant to be.

PRSSA-UD greatly appreciates Paul Silano for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet with us and share his amazing insights on self-promotion and professional growth.

PRSSA-UD will have its sixth and final general meeting of the semester on November 17th

where the club will welcome Amanda DiPaolo Bradley from the Children’s Hospital of

Philadelphia. Then on December 1st, the PRSSA executive board will hold the second “Skills

Slam” of the semester, which is an interactive session where members can receive personalized advice and feedback on resumes and job applications.