HC: What’s your official title for Her Campus?
I am the Editor-in-Chief for the UTRGV chapter of Her Campus. I am also our chapter’s Vice President.
HC: How old are you & what’s your major?
I’m 20 years old, and my major is Mass Communications with a focus in Broadcast Journalism. I’m minoring in Film Studies.
HC: What other organizations are you involved in on & off campus?
I actually write freelance for the Mission Progress Times, which is a weekly paper based in Mission, Texas! I’ve also been involved with Thirteen o’Clock Theatre in McAllen, and am a co-founder of a film/theatre company with my friends called Diversity Productions.
HC: What are some of your hobbies?
I love reading, I always have. I also enjoy eating – I consider myself a foodie and am always looking to try a new restaurant/dish out. When I have time I also love to paint and color – basically anything artistic. And, of course, I watch movies constantly.
HC: What do love the most about Her Campus?
I love how everyone is welcome! It’s an organization that allows us to really grow and flourish when it comes to writing and promotional media. When I started looking into what Her Campus does not only for the readers, but the writers and PR people and everyone involved, I knew it was an organization I wanted to be part of. I love how it’s a great way to gain experience and get your work out there for people to read.
HC: What is one important life lesson you’ve learned throughout your college career?
I’ve learned so many – but one of the biggest lessons I have learned when in college is time management. I’m lucky in the sense that I love to keep myself organized and make sure I’m sucessfully dedicating time to my schoolwork, but I know time management when transitioning into college is something that a lot of students struggle with. I’ve learned to keep track of what’s due and what I need to be preparing for, which I think is incredibly important. Because of that, I’ve been able to add more and more to my load every semester. This is looking to be my busiest semester yet – I’m taking 18 hours, writing every week for the paper and being Editior-in-Chief for Her Campus, shooting and helping write a short documentary for UTRGV, I have recently been cast in a local film, and am also writing my own films and spending time with my family, friends, and boyfriend. It’s been a bit hectic, but the good hectic, the kind that I want to have. So time management, for sure.
HC: What are your career aspirations and what inspired you to go that route?
I’ve always wanted to be a filmmaker – specifically I want to act, write, and produce films of every genre. I’ve always been so fascinated and passionate about the art of film, and it’s where I thrive. I have this deep longing within me to go that route – I always have – so I’m not sure what the direct source of my inspiration was that made me what to make movies. I guess it might be that I’ve always been very analytical when it comes to film. I study it, I really look deeply not only into the acting, but the entire filmmaking process. I’ve always been a film buff, so I can tell you pretty much whatever you need to know about film – film of the past, present, and hopefully what’s to come. What I really love about it is, in my opinion, film allows us to blend literally every possible kind of art form, blend it, and put it all together to create this new masterpiece that we can own and study and watch over and over. It’s fun, it’s creative, it’s where my heart is and always has been.
HC: What advice do you have for students that are pursuing a career in Journalism?
Write all the time. Seriously. Read and write. Never get out of practice on either. I know I just went on and on about movies, but what I appreciate about my experience as a journalist is that I’ve learned so much about people and how we work. Write everything down. Listen to what’s going on around you, and try and write it in a way that you think people, including yourself, will want to read it. Don’t be afraid to ask someone to go over your work and see how it sounds. Embrace your written voice. Read everything you write out loud. How does it sound? Hey, that rhymes! Anyway, read and write. Write all the time. Try and get your work out there. Maybe join Her Campus, we’re always looking for new writers, and we can get your stuff published online – which will look good on resumés, believe me. Write.