Ryan Arruda \u201926, journalism and political science, is passionate about the intersection of media, technology, and communication. Arruda has gained hands-on experience through campus roles and a marketing internship with Workplace Options. After graduation, he plans to pursue a master\u2019s in Technology Management at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth with the goal of becoming an IT\/tech project manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is your major and graduation year?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I am a double major in journalism and political science, with a minor in general business. I am a senior and am graduating this Spring of 2026!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where are you from, and why did you choose URI?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I am from Dartmouth, Massachusetts! My path to URI is a little out of the ordinary! I originally applied to all my schools as a computer science\/cybersecurity major, but changed to journalism when deciding on schools! I had toured URI previously and was very impressed with the Chafee studio, and since it was close to my hometown, I found it to be the perfect fit!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You are a classroom media assistant and teaching assistant. How have these opportunities shaped your college experience?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My time here at URI has shaped my college experience very positively. The connections and knowledge I gained from my time as a classroom media assistant have made me switch paths and continue down this tech-centered path! Being a TA has been great, and I’ve had an amazing opportunity to work with Prof. Mandy Zhang on a highly important research project! Both have supported me during my time here at URI, and the lessons they taught me for my future are priceless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What has been your favorite course, and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My favorite course at URI has to be between PSC465 – US Political Parties (Prof. Peter McLaughlin) and JOR330 – TV News (Prof. Kendall Moore)! In the first, I learned so much about our political system and had the opportunity to write a research paper based on my own independent findings! In JOR330, I recorded and edited news packages and hosted my very own mock TV newscast! Both provided invaluable experiences, leaving me with real pieces of work that can go toward my portfolio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tell us about your internship experiences. How did you get these internships, and how did they prepare you for your future?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My internship experience was very interesting, and it wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t met Prof. Mandy Zhang! She connected me with URI’s Social Media Lab and Prof. Joon Kim, and I was chosen to serve as a global marketing and communications intern for Workplace Options in the summer of 2025. There, I learned so much about the basics of marketing and the internal structure and operations of a global company, and was fortunate to co-host my own podcast about Gen Z in the workplace! It prepared me for my future by showing me what it takes to run a large-scale multinational company and how internal communications work with employees around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What are your career goals and future plans?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I hope to one day be an IT\/tech project manager, and I will be going for my Master’s in Technology Management this fall at UMass Dartmouth!<\/p>\n\n\n\n