Cal Lutheran Stories

Major: Communication (Journalism)

Minor: English

Alesandria is a Communication major from Fillmore, CA. She served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Echo, Cal Lutheran’s student newspaper, in 2014-15.

What positions have you held on the Echo team? Which was your favorite and why?

In fall 2013, I started as a writer for the Echo, and in fall 2014 I became Editor-in-Chief. As Editor-in-Chief I have the chance to collaborate with great writers, photojournalists and editors. I’m also more involved with the process of putting the paper together.

What have you learned from working on the Echo that you will carry into your professional life?

How to be a leader and how to react under pressure. I’ve learned that accuracy and quality is important in any work that you do, especially when you’re telling other people’s stories. I believe that the challenges I face at the Echo are preparing me for the challenges I’ll face in the future.

How did your involvement in the Echo help shape your experience at Cal Lutheran? Did it compliment your studies?

My involvement with the Echo has probably been the primary experience at CLU that has shown me what I want to do when I graduate. It complimented my journalism studies perfectly as a writer, but it also taught me how to be a business woman as the newspaper’s business manager, and it taught me how to be a leader as the editor in chief. I have worn many hats that have brought me stress and joy, and every experience has helped me gain new opportunities like interning for NBC’s Today Show through the skills I acquired throughout my years with the paper.

Would you recommend working on the Echo to fellow students?

I think if you are going into business or communication fields you should be working for the Echo in some way. Companies always need good writers, and they need good communicators. It may seem like only students with journalism in mind should write for the Echo, but you build other skills like speaking well, making deadlines and conducting yourself in a professional manner – all things companies want in an employee. If student’s don’t work for the Echo, then I definitely recommend finding a club or organization on campus that pertains to your major or career goals. Not only do you learn whether you are on the right career path, but you get to meet a lot of great people.

How would you describe the Communication major to fellow students? 

My major is special in a way where I was able to build skills that are specific to writing and reporting news, but is broad enough where I have acquired skills that can help me outside of journalism such as movie production, web design, research and more. As a communication major I have had the opportunity to discover and pursue many avenues in my college career.

What are your career plans?

My goal after graduation is to find a job I enjoy whether it be a broadcast news producer, magazine editor or even a teacher. The great thing Cal Lutheran has done for me to establish these goals is that I have a well-rounded resume with basic skills for whichever career path I choose. Not only this, but I’m not afraid to pursue new goals or venture down a different path because CLU has encouraged me to do this during my college career, so it’s not a foreign concept to me.

Are you excited for the next step?

I’m very excited for graduation, but I’m also terrified – in a good way. I, like many seniors, am about to embark on a new adventure in life and I have no clue what I am going to do. However, I know this is when I get to figure out who I am. This is it. This is what I’ve spent the last four years working so hard for. The unknown can be scary, but it can also be quite enthralling.

Any advice for incoming students about how to make the  most of their time at Cal Lutheran?

For all the incoming students of Cal Lutheran I just have one piece of advice: enjoy every moment and don’t be afraid to say yes. Never danced before? Say yes to taking an open dance class. Have you always wanted to write a movie before? Sign up for a screenwriting class. I can’t stress enough what you might stumble into and maybe like, just by saying yes. If you hate it, then don’t go back. At least you’ll have a cool story to tell.

Ever week, The Echo, Cal Lutheran’s official newspaper, brings relevant news, features, sports, and opinion to the university community. The editorial staff is responsible for designing and assigning story ideas, as well as page layout, editing, proofreading, and writing some stories. Meanwhile, 25 to 35 staff writers and photographers are in the trenches–cultivating sources, interviewing subjects, following up on leads, writing and refining their assignments.