CORRINE BENANDI
Aspiring Multimedia Journalist
About Me
I grew up in a town with a population under 5,000 people where everyone knew everyone. It was here where I learned that everyone has a story, so I’ve always wanted to be a reporter so I could use my voice to share people’s stories with the world. Growing up in a small town also meant that I did not have a lot of opportunities to reach my goal, but my passion and hunger to succeed has driven me to work multiple jobs at a time, stay involved in extracurricular organizations, and maintain a GPA over 3.5 to put myself through college. Although this was not easy, my experience encouraged me to develop my writing, storytelling, and time-management skills in order to obtain the degree necessary to tell these stories as a multimedia journalist on a larger scale – television news.
I am an emerging professional studying Mass Communications/ Broadcasting at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. After graduation this December, I hope to land a job as a multimedia journalist or reporter. Though I am from and currently live in Louisiana, working in another state and learning new stories to tell would be part of the adventure. I am eager to use the skills I learned in the classroom such as creative writing, storytelling, videography, video editing, and so much more and apply them to the real world and the newsroom. Valuing good news judgment, constructive criticism, strict deadlines, and my responsibility to the public as a reporter, I know I will be a great fit for any news team.
Work Experience
June 2020 - Today
I currently work as a Videographer and Graphics operator at News 15 in Lafayette, Louisiana. In this position, I shoot and edit video for news stories daily by implementing creative and unique shots. I also create VO/ VOSOT videos and write scripts using my creative storytelling skills. This position also has given me experience with conducting interviews, shooting live shots, and assisting reporters and producers in gathering news content. During my time with News 15, I have completed a summer internship where I learned the different roles and responsibilities of a newsroom.
January 2020 - May 2020
I was an Anchor/Multimedia Journalist for the University's broadcasting news outlet, Acadiana News 1. During this time, I produced and broadcasted industry-grade news packages from inception to publication to over 25,000 total viewers. As LACN1's MMJ, I researched and created story ideas based on local current events, scheduled interviews with stories’ subjects, conducted interviews, shot creative standup, shot B-roll related to stories’ topics and subjects, wrote creative and engaging scripts for stories, and edited all video packages. While with Acadiana News 1, I co-anchored a weekly newscast with a professional and relaxed on-air camera presence, and I reported news stories produced by peers.
January 2019 - December 2019
I worked as a production assistant and camera operator for KATC in Lafayette, Louisiana. While working in this position I assisted the station in any production aspect that was necessary. My daily tasks were to set up proper shot compositions, set focus, cue talent, and relay information from producers to talents.
I would also create and publish stories structured for morning shows, cut video footage to publish to the station’s website and social media platforms, write stories and participate in KATC’s daily news gathering practices, and interact with guests daily. My main job in the station was to operate the studio cameras for Good Morning Acadiana. During my time at KATC, I was given promotional opportunities to cross-train as a graphics operator and as an audio technician.
Education
August 2016 - December 2020
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Current GPA: 3.61
Graduating in December with my Bachelor of Arts, I am currently studying Mass Communication with a concentration in Broadcasting, and I am minoring in English. As a financially independent college student, I have learned that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. I also picked up many important skills such as time management, organization, and putting in the extra effort through constructive criticism from my professors and the need for balance in my education and work life. While studying, I have also had the opportunity to lead my campus in many ways. I was a student worker in the Undergraduate Admissions Office for three years. In this role, I was given the opportunity to help potential students by answering their questions and also helped plan recruiting events to assist students to fall in love with the campus I call home. My main accomplishment has been maintaining a GPA above 3.5 while balancing school with multiple jobs throughout my college career.
