Erum Salam is a communication major and journalism minor graduating with the class of 2016, and also a Campus Correspondent for Her Campus’ Texas A&M chapter!
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Her Campus: So what inspired you to open a chapter of Her Campus for Texas A&M?
Erum Salam: One of my best friends from high school, Morgan Young, is also an aspiring journalist like me. She studies at the University of Missouri, which has a really established journalism program. I however, was trying to do journalism at A&M, a school that was sort of rebuilding their journalism program. She suggested that I spearhead the founding of HC TAMU to give myself and others an opportunity to write, edit, and get published on a national platform since our school had limited writing outlets and publishing opportunities. So that’s exactly what I did, and I’m so grateful I took her advice! Her Campus has paved the way for a number of opportunities for me.
HC: Awesome! Speaking of those opportunities, I’ve been told that you were called to New York on Her Campus business a while ago. Could you tell us a little about that?
ES: It was actually the Her campus Intercollegiate Conference held in New York City. I have attended the conference two years in a row and both times were really fun! All Her Campus members are invited to attend so it’s super inclusive. I got to meet with other chapters from all over the country, as well as meet the HC founders Annie, Windsor and Stephanie! This past summer while interning in Washington D.C., HC partnered with Amtrak to send some of us up to NYC by train just for the conference. It was amazing to meet other girls with similar interests, plus NYC is one of my favorite cities!
HC: Interesting. Let’s talk about some more whismical and personal questions. As an avid writer, have you found that there is a favorite word you enjoy using in your writing?Â
ES: Word? Oh my goodness let me think… I love the word ‘imbecile!’ It’s sharp and most people don’t really know what it means so you can use it to subtly insult someone. I also like the word incompetent.
HC: Are there any writers or journalists whom you look up to?
ES: There are absolutely journalists that have influenced my career aspirations. Laura Trevelyan is a nightly news anchor for BBC World News America and she was a mentor to me while I interned at BBC’s United States bureau in D.C. I remember watching her on TV with my family and thinking “she’s so elegant.” Meeting her was incredible. Watching her report the news was inspirational. I hope to do what she does one day.I do have to say, however, the reason I got into journalism is because of my deep love for Superman. I used to read DC comics as a kid, and I was obsessed with superheroes. Lois Lane, Clark Kent’s love interest, may have just been a fictional character, but she was sassy, suave, and sophisticated. She’s a cutthroat reporter, and her character truly had an impact on me as a child. She may not be real but she’s my role model.
HC:Â Last question(s), and quite possibly the most important–Which Disney princess do you think smells the best? Conversely, which do you think smells the worst?
ES: I think Jasmine smells the best! Her name literally means a sweet smelling flower! As for the worst, I’d have to say Cinderella. All that time sweeping fire places and getting all dirty and grimy would certainly make one feel the need to take a long, hot shower.