Last spring, as HCWFU waved goodbye to then-campus correspondents Hannah Kay Hunt and Jackie Swoyer, we just barely avoided falling into a deep depression, thanks to the excitement of welcoming our brand spankin’ new leaders: Ellie Baldini and Allison Cacich!! As Editorial and PR/Events Campus Correspondents, respectively, these fabulous ladies have wasted no time in channeling their love for journalism, PR, and all things Wake Forest femme into their roles at HerCampus.
Ellie, a Jersey girl majoring in communication with journalism, was practically destined to love editorial. Growing up in a female-dominated family, she was always flipping through magazines with her mom and sisters (she has three!), and by high school school was counting down the days until the new Seventeen and Cosmopolitan came out each month.
“I would literally hole up in my room and read them cover to cover,” she says.
Honestly, what’s not to love about 200-something shiny pages full of everything epitomizing girly-ness – clothes, accessories, make-up, boys, celebrities, fitness?!
By the time she got older, one of her favorite past-times had become a career goal.
“I’ve always been really passionate about writing, so when it came time to think about my future, I knew the path to a happy life, where work never actually feels like work, lay in the editorial field,” she reflects.
Allison, our PR/Events expert, hails from Libertyville, IL (1 hour north of Chicago), and is also studying communication and journalism. Originally interested in broadcast journalism, she changed course after getting to Wake and falling in love with her courses.
“I love the playful, quirky style of magazine writing. It’s not as rigid as newspapers,” she says.
We decided to do a Q&A with Ellie & Allison so you all can get to know them a little better. Here’s what we found out…
HC: What’s the best thing about HC, in your opinion?
Ellie: I love the layout and that the aesthetics feel like a magazine. Also the colors – I love pink.
Allison: I love the fact that it specifically caters to Wake Forest women and talks about things that every 18-22 year-old wants to read about! Before HC, there wasn’t a source on campus for girly, flirty, and fun content.
HC: Favorite non-HC magazine?
Ellie: Cosmopolitan! I read it religiously.
Allison: PEOPLE. I have always had a passion for entertainment and I love to get the latest scoop on my fave celebs! Unfortunately, I’ve been so busy lately that I’m four issues behind!
HC: Did you study abroad?
Ellie: Yes, I was in Florence for a semester with one of my best friends, and it was the best thing I have ever done! (Aside from HC, of course).
Allison: I studied abroad in Vienna, Austria at the Flow House. It was one of the best experiences of my life! I got to become immersed in another culture and travel to 9 different countries.
HC: What did you do this summer?
Ellie: I worked in the News office of the Wake Forest School of Law.
Allison: I worked as a Beauty and Fashion intern for Woman’s Day magazine in New York City. It was a fabulous experience and truly a dream come true! I got to work with clothes, shoes, and accessories all day and attend glamorous work events. I also had the chance to do a little writing, which was super exciting!
HC: What’s on the bucket list going into senior year?
Ellie: Everything? Carpe diem? I feel like I am literally not going to sleep this entire semester because I am super busy with academics, activities, finally 21…and I have serious FOMO (laughs).
Allison: I’ve never been to Krankies (I know, shocking!), so I should probably take a trip over there. And I need to go to the Dixie Classic Fair! Again, I’ve never been and I feel like that’s such a North Carolina thing!
HC: Current obsession?
Ellie: I’m loving color blocking and high-waisted things with bandeaus. I’m obsessed with bright colored heels, too. I have bright blue, orange, red….
Allison: Celebrities! Which, for me, isn’t just a current, but constant obsession! It is also New York Fashion Week, so my heart’s racing over a few stellar designer pieces.
HC: What are your post-grad plans?
Ellie: NYC! Being from NJ, I want to be close to home. And since Carrie Bradshaw is literally my idol, I feel like it would be blasphemous to not at least attempt the whole writer-in-the-city thing. Even if it means I am surviving on ramen noodles so I can still splurge on shoes…
Allison: To work in magazines! Ideally in New York, but really anywhere I can get a job. After this summer, I can’t imagine doing anything else!