Society of Professional Journalists Chapter George Mason University

This week's member spotlight is our Public Relations Chair, Aurora Pasos! Aurora is a senior Communication major with a concentration in Public Relations and a double minor in Dance and Art History. Q:When did you join SPJ? A: "My freshman year, 2014" Q: What do you love the most about SPJ/ being involved in student media? A: "The opportunity to meet industry leaders and gain priceless information about the field I hope to work in. I also love how this chapter continues to grow and we have all grown closer over the years." Q: What other organizations are you a part of? A: "I am a sister of Zeta Tau Alpha and a dancer in Urbanknowlogy 101." Q: Have you had any internship opportunities or any cool opportunities? A: "I have interned at Northern Virginia Magazine and the Mason Study Abroad Office for their marketing offices. I am currently interning at the Smithsonian Institution Freer and Sackler Galleries." ...

On February 21st, SPJ welcomed Freelance food and environment writer Lani Furbank. Lani attended James Madison University and focused on broadcasting during her undergrad years. Eventually she turned to free lance writing and she is continuing to write today. Lani started out working at News Channel 8 and had some great advice for us. She was able to tell us what it was like to work on an entertainment daily show and what actually goes into the production of each episode. We also left the meeting with a new outlook in the world of free lance writing. Lani had some great advice for us including, "Don't pigeonhole yourself, see where life takes you, and never say no to things that sound fun to you." The meeting came to a close shortly after one of our members asked Lani for recommendations for restaurants in the Greater D.C. area. Just a few of her recommendations were "Smoked and Stacked," "All Purpose Pizza Restaurant," "The Little Red Beet,...

This week's Member Spotlight is Raven Royal! Raven is a freshman Communication major with a concentration in Journalism and a minor in Government and International Politics. Q: When did you join SPJ? A: "I joined last semester." Q: What do you love the most about SPJ/ being involved in student media? A: "I really enjoy the guest speakers because it is nice to learn from someone who is already in the field and hear their perspective but also be able to ask them questions. For example, last semester getting to hear Byron Edwards speak. You also get to learn about things you may not have been interested in before." Q: What other organizations are you part of? A: "Mason Cable Network, Honors College, Black Ambition, and Alpha Lambda Delta." Q: Have you had any internship opportunities or any cool opportunities? A: "I haven't been able to do much but I hope to have internship opportunities in the future." ...

This week's Member Spotlight is member Manny Viezaga! Manny is a Communication major concentrating in Media Production and Criticism  and  plans to graduate Spring 2018. Q: When did you join SPJ? A: "I joined SPJ last semester, which was Fall 2016." Q: What do you love the most about SPJ/ being involved with Student Media? A: "I think what I love most about SPJ are the opportunities offered to us such as having the chance to meet with professionals in the field and network with them. Also, networking and meeting other students with similar interests and career goals as you is a great experience."  Q: What other organizations are you apart of? A: "Aside from SPJ, I’m also part of the Mason Cable Network. I have a show on there called “What’s Up Mason?” where I go around campus talking to students about student life and national topics. It’s definitely a fun experience to be part of and helps me develop my hosti...

Our first member spotlight will focus on Fareeha Rehman, a junior and the President of the SPJ chapter here ate Mason. Q: When did you join SPJ? A: "I joined in Fall of 2015 as a sophomore. During my first meeting, the opportunity to become the fundraising chair came up and I took it. I was fundraising chair for a year and then Fernanda [the former President of SPJ] convinced me to become president" Q: What do you love the most about SPJ/ being involved with Student Media? A: "People see things like writing or drawing, which is my other hobby, as solitary things but finding SPJ and Student Media has helped me find other people who are interested in the same things as well.  It is very cool to find people who are like you and be able to interact and support each other." Q: Have you had any internship opportunities? A: "I was the Digital Communications Associate at Bixal Solutions." Q: What are some career goals or aspiratio...