Current experiences
Retail and education reporter at Buffalo Business First
I am so grateful for the chance to start my teaching career so soon. I co-teach photojournalism at my alma matter with the very talented Craig Melvin. The class is a 3-hour course once a week, which allows me to teach while working full-time. I teach undergraduates how to work the basic settings on DSLR cameras, techniques for aesthetically pleasing photos such as the rule of thirds, the definition of photojournalism and the different types of photos such as feature photos, environmental portraits and editorial illustrations. I really love running an interactive, hands-on learning environment for students to explore their creativities.
Adjunct professor, photojournalism at St. Bonaventure University
I am so grateful for the chance to start my teaching career so soon. I co-teach photojournalism at my alma matter with the very talented Craig Melvin. The class is a 3-hour course once a week, which allows me to teach while working full-time. I teach undergraduates how to work the basic settings on DSLR cameras, techniques for aesthetically pleasing photos such as the rule of thirds, the definition of photojournalism and the different types of photos such as feature photos, environmental portraits and editorial illustrations. I really love running an interactive, hands-on learning environment for students to explore their creativities.
Past experiences
Reporter for The Suns, The Buffalo News
This job is journalism in its purest form. And I have the unique opportunity to start at a newspaper and go through the whole launching process. I'm a full-time reporter for The Orchard Park Sun and The West Seneca Sun. The Buffalo News will launch these two community papers, as well as a Lancaster-Depew paper, in late October. Stay tuned!
Multimedia marketing coordinator for The Buffalo News
While I enjoyed my job in Pittsburgh, I moved home to Buffalo to be closer to friends and family. I was able to use my communication, multimedia and organizational skills as multimedia marketing coordinator. I helped the promotions department with sponsorship agreements and events. I was responsible for the monthly company newsletter, which I redesigned and revamped both in look and content. I managed special projects, including the rebranding of The News' digital services' team. I also took photos for marketing and promotional uses and helped manage social media.
Technology Reporter for Pittsburgh Business Times
This was an amazing first job. I moved to a new city and started covering a new beat. I didn't have a technology background. It's been great being able to use all the journalism skills I've acquired so far, including photography, video editing, writing and reporting. I've gotten to build a great network of contacts and sources by getting involved in the local tech community. I am responsible for writing at least one exclusive, premium story a day and usually write two to four articles a day. I also write monthly centerpiece stories and profiles. See some of my writing samples here:
Check out these links for video samples:
https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/video/N5Mm0xZjE6dK1kl-cDQmxcYycBHQJQSX?autoplay=1
https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/video/lkeXMzZTE6Ub8dr7nIjRZTGAecZrRVYu?autoplay=1
https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/video/Vlcm10ZTE65xvX_WwIZZskImNUnemcVv?autoplay=1
https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/video/N5Mm0xZjE6dK1kl-cDQmxcYycBHQJQSX?autoplay=1
https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/video/lkeXMzZTE6Ub8dr7nIjRZTGAecZrRVYu?autoplay=1
https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/video/Vlcm10ZTE65xvX_WwIZZskImNUnemcVv?autoplay=1
Freelancer for The Buffalo News, The Hamburg Sun, Pittsburgh Business Times
Interning at The Buffalo News blossomed into freelance writing. I was extremely fortunate to have this opportunity, especially writing articles weekly that can be done remotely. I also wrote for Buffalo Magazine. After I moved back to Buffalo, I continued freelancing for the Pittsburgh Business Times.
I also had the chance to freelance an entire special publication on a crucial topic: the local opioid crisis. My hope is that this guide acts as a resource of information and a beacon of hope. See the final product here or read the individual articles online. |
Editorial intern with The Buffalo News
After graduation, I started interning for The Buffalo News on the digital desk. I copy edited articles, managed its social media accounts and updated the homepage. While reporting is still my dream job, I think it's important to learn different jobs in the newsroom. At smaller papers, I will be managing my own personal social media and promoting my articles as a reporter. I also got to write stories as part of the digital desk, including a long-term project involving Buffalo expats.
|
My photos for the Buffalo Bills
Check out my live Tweeting and my video for The BV! |
|
Freelance writer for the Niagara Gazette
The Gazette allows me to use my reporting, writing, storytelling and photography skills. As a writer, this is an amazing opportunity for me to work for a local newspaper. Check out my first story here!
|
Fellow for News21 in Phoenix, Arizona
This past summer I traveled to Phoenix, Arizona to work on a national, multimedia investigative reporting project on voting rights. During the summer, I also reported from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Kentucky, looking specifically at lower middle-class, working Americans' voting rights and Asian-Americans' voting rights. I worked as a team leader, videographer, photographer and writer. News21 affiliates such as NBC picked up my stories. Check out our finished website or my clips below:
|
|
|
|
News Intern for WBFO, Buffalo's NPR station
This two summers ago I interned with WBFO. I covered news events including conferences, government meetings and local events. I conducted phone interviews as well, edited sound bites, wrote scripts to be read on-air and wrote copy for the web. My stories ranged from environmental issues to feature stories, government legislation to racial awareness. I also researched for stories, pitched ideas and updated contact material. Finally, I interviewed for, voiced and produced a feature spot that was played on-air. This internship gave me more experience with writing for broadcast, interviewing, meeting deadlines, being flexible and working with a team.
|