This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Hofstra chapter.
YOG: Senior – May 2014
Major/Minor: Journalism with a concentration in broadcast and a minor in German.
What are you involved with here on campus?
I am a producer for the campus television show Hofstra Today (hofstratoday.com). I also help with social media for Hofstra University.
What’s it like putting together a live broadcast like Hofstra Today?
During the pre-production before the show, I go through a huge range of emotions. Producing Hofstra Today is an incredibly rewarding and exhilarating experience, and I feel honored to produce it along with my amazing co-producer, Alicia Hastey. There are a million things we need to think of for every show and a ton of different people we need to work with. Everyone involved in the show works extremely hard and I still find it amazing that a bunch of students who have internships, jobs and classes manage to put together a live, 30-minute show.
How do you juggle all that you have on your plate?
Post-it notes are the key to success! Post-it notes and to-do lists are life savers. I try to plan out every part of every day to allow time for each task on my list. At the same time, I have to remain flexible.
What’s the best advice you’ve received from one of our School of Comm professors?
One time I was meeting with a professor and talking about how much I love wildlife and the environment. I mentioned that I really wish I could report on wildlife conservation and the environment. At the time I thought it was just a silly childhood dream to write about climate change and white-nose syndrome in North American bats. But the professor said to me, “So why don’t you?” It seems like a simple question but it really made me think. Just because environmental journalism is not a common field doesn’t mean that I can’t do it. I think journalism is a field that requires exploration and a lot of passion for what you’re doing. There are so many stories out there that need to be told. So why not tell them? And who wouldn’t love to read a story about an orphaned seal pup?
What internships have you held?
Over the summers when I was back home in Pennsylvania, I interned at the local newspaper, The Morning Call, the local television channel, WFMZ Channel 69 News, and in the corporate communications department at PPL. Last fall I interned at ABC News, working with the show Nightline. I’m currently in the process of apply to internships for the spring.
How did you get them?
I made lists of places I would like to intern and I applied. I had professors read over my resume and cover letters. Applying for internships is like applying to college. You have to have realistic expectations but don’t be afraid to apply for your dream internship.
What do you think is your biggest accomplishment since freshman year at Hofstra?
This is going to sound extremely cheesy, but I honestly feel like anything I do that helps me grow as a journalist is a big accomplishment. I knew for a long time that I wanted to be a journalist and despite setbacks and bumps in the road, I’m still on the path I want to be on. I think the fact that I’m still here and I’m still learning is the biggest accomplishment.