Major: Journalism
Minor: Sports Media and Communication
Hometown: Weymouth, MA

What makes the College of Arts and Sciences at URI unique?
The College of Arts and Sciences stands out from other colleges at the University because of the amount of opportunity. With a variety of majors and pathways to choose from, the College encourages students to explore their interests and passions while staying on track to determine future career goals. 

What research projects, internships, and/or study abroad programs did you participate in at URI? How did they enhance your education? 
My biggest piece of advice to ANYONE regardless of their major or career pathway is to complete an internship. Internships are so incredibly eye-opening and give you a certain level of real world experience that cannot be taught in the classroom. For me – I’ve completed three off-campus internships…

In the fall of my junior year, I completed my first internship at WLNE-TV (ABC6) in Providence, serving as a Sports Intern. Every day I was able to learn directly what it means to be a sports reporter and anchor. Usually once or twice per week I would drive to Foxboro, Massachusetts and attend New England Patriots media availability – meaning attending press conferences and interviewing players in the locker room. On Friday evenings during high school football season, I would travel across the state of Rhode Island to cover games. I would shoot highlights of the game, then go back to the station to edit footage and write play by play scripts for the sportscast later that evening. On Sundays, if the Patriots were playing at home, I had the opportunity to go and get the full game-day media experience. My schedule and assignments varied week-to-week….one of the most memorable experiences was getting to be part of the Red Sox 2018 World Series Championship coverage. Standing on the field before Game 1 and 2 of the World Series as reporters were live from Fenway Park is something I will never forget.

In the summer going into my senior year, I completed my second internship at WFXT (Boston 25 News). This was a really special opportunity because I was working with a sports department and news station that I grew up watching. I was able to learn from some of the best and most experienced in the business. Being able to work in a Boston newsroom allowed me to see the difference between smaller local stations to a top 10 market in the country. This experience gave me greater exposure to the sports reporting scene and all the opportunities that exist from being on-camera to producing to working on the assignment desk. 

In the spring semester of my senior year, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime to spend 10 weeks at ESPN as a Production Intern. Working with the SportsCenter at Night team was nothing short of a dream come true. A normal day included being assigned a game (any sport) and being responsible for telling the world how that game happened. Watching the game, logging the game, cutting the highlight and telling the story AKA how it happened, who played best and if possible – finding the greater story or meaning. The biggest thing ESPN taught me is how important it is to tell a great story. Being able to work at such a high level of production and see every little detail that goes into making great television will stay with me throughout the duration of my professional career. 

All of my internships were extremely similar and different in a number of ways. I grew personally and professionally more than I could have ever imagined. Each of my internships have prepared me immensely for my first job outside of college. 

What do you value about your liberal arts education?
In today’s world, we are all so focused on being successful in our respective field, passion or profession. Having a liberal arts education is a reminder about the importance of being a well-rounded individual because the College of Arts & Sciences allows us to explore a variety of courses that others do not. I’ve taken classes ranging from nutrition to theater to politics to psychology to history to journalism. A liberal arts education gives you a different perspective on the world and prepares you by knowing real-world, real-life knowledge.