Valeria is an undergraduate student at Northeastern currently working in both editorial & broadcasting work.
Roadmap.
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"Don’t compare yourself to others at AOC. When most of my friends were studying STEM-related majors, I felt like my interests in journalism made me less smart than those pursuing a STEM career. Whatever you choose to pursue should be exciting and challenging for YOU, not for someone else."
Hear Valeria talk about how her interest in journalism developed and advice on how to pursue it!
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I am working as an anchor at a news station!
MILESTONES
My career roadmap has been somewhat defined.
I have always had an interest in media since I was a kid, whether it be movies, television shows or news programs such as 60 Minutes or CBS Sunday Morning.
When I was in the eighth grade I went on a field trip to the Newseum in Washington D.C. and fell in love with journalism. I was inspired by the history of journalism and in awe by the exhibits that demonstrated how vital reporting is.
After I binge watched Scandal I looked up how to become the Communications Director of the White House, and learned past directors had some experience in communications or journalism. The next day I went to Ms. Cubbage and told her that’s what I wanted to do and she put me in an introduction to media class and from there it just clicked. I've always had a passion for writing and storytelling, so journalism just made sense to me because I feel like journalists are there for every big moment.
I decided to pursue a cinema studies minor after Ms. Engerran started a film critique unit in sophomore year, it was around then I realized my passion for movies could intersect my love for writing.
When I started Northeastern I was originally just a journalism major, but decided to become a combined Journalism and Media Screen Studies major. Although I loved the theory and analysis classes, I learned I hated production classes of the media screen studies major and I am now again a journalism major with a cinema studies minor.
Since coming to college, I've joined my school's newspaper and I became the men's basketball beat reporter, where I attend every game and write about the players. In my second semester I became the deputy sports editor of the paper which means I determined what stories we cover and edited all stories in our section. I am now the sports editor and in charge of the entire section.
Since coming to college, I've joined my school's newspaper and I became the men's basketball beat reporter, where I attend every game and write about the players. In my second semester I became the deputy sports editor of the paper which means I determined what stories we cover and edited all stories in our section. I am now the sports editor and in charge of the entire section.
I am currently considering attending law school, as my university has a program that allows me to complete one year of law school during my senior year. As I have lots of transfer credits from AOC I have plenty of room in my academic plan to add this to my path. After my first year, I can transfer to another law program at another school.
EXPERIENCE
Here are my extracurriculars relevant to this pathway
DURING MY HIGH SCHOOL CAREER
My first year of ASB I was put into the Media Commission with a friend and we created the Oak Tree Hour, a student program to promote our events and to keep students informed. I was also in charge of the ASB social media all my years in ASB.
While pursuing my journalism AA, I participated in Cougar News at COC where I contributed news video packages to a biweekly live show and performed multiple roles during the show, including: anchor, director, producer and technical director. I also worked on the 2018 primary elections live show which was an experience I’ll never forget.
DURING MY COLLEGE CAREER
The Huntington News at Northeastern- sports editor, deputy sports editor and men’s basketball beat reporter
CAREER
What I'm currently doing/hope to do
I currently don't know exactly what I want to do since I have love for both entertainment and sports. At my university we have semester-long co-ops where I get to be a paid intern in a job in my field, and I think I'll know more specifically what I want after my first co-op. I know I want to go into editorial work, but I also like the idea of coming back home to California and working in broadcast. Lucky for me, at my school I can take a wide variety of classes in all of my interests.
ADVICE
How to maximize my time in high school?
Advice #1: PRACTICE. The articles I first wrote at COC make me cringe now. The more you write and practice, the more you learn about your own style and how to craft a strong story.
Advice #2: Be nosey. When I was little I was so nosey and had so many questions about everything, now I realize that’s what journalism is all about.
Advice #3: Know your history and pop culture. Journalism is all about noticing trends and when we are repeating history. You are a stronger journalist when you not only know what is currently going on in the country, but also when you know what happened in the past. When you are able to make those connections, your work is that much stronger. Not to mention it comes in handy for trivia.
Advice #4: It’s okay to change your mind. What I wanted when I was at AOC is different from what I wanted when I first stepped foot on campus, which is different than what I want now. At AOC I felt stuck in my interests, but then I started college and realized I could dedicate my time and studies to all of my interests. You don’t have to have everything figured out. Your pathway is going to change, mine is still everchanging and that’s okay.
Advice #5: Don’t compare yourself to others at AOC. When most of my friends were studying STEM-related majors, I felt like my interests in journalism made me less smart than those pursuing a STEM career. Whatever you choose to pursue should be exciting and challenging for YOU, not for someone else.
