The Daily Californian

My work at the Daily Cal, UC Berkeley’s independent student newspaper, has spanned 3 years. I began the summer before my freshman year as a social media designer before transitioning into the news department in the Fall. There, I worked as a lead beat reporter, senior staffer, and deputy news editor. My sophomore year, I transitioned back into the social media department as a deputy editor. I now work as the head social media editor, where I have helped increase our engagement on Facebook, X, TikTok, and Instagram.

Deputy News Editing

In every bag I carry, you will find a hidden notepad and pen — resources that allow me to cover any story that comes my way.

Over the past six years in the field of journalism, storytelling as become a central part of who I am. Through writing, I have grown from a nervous freshman conducting my first interview to a proud communicator and editor. My pen and notepad have shaped who I am as a journalist as I continue to seek the truth, tell the untold and lead others in the process.

As a deputy news editor for the Daily Cal, I edited and briefed countless stories about my university and community on a near-daily basis. Throughout my time in the news department, I strengthened my experience curating stories that are both clear and effective while upholding the basic principles of journalistic integrity.

Social Media Editing

Since joining the social media department, I have worked to take the Daily Cal’s following on Instagram from 14.2 thousand to 20.3 thousand (and counting!). I continue to work across all of our platforms to ensure the smooth dissemination of news, arts, sports and blog content, while also supervising a staff of more than 30. I am chiefly responsible for posting news briefs across Instagram, X and Facebook, which requires immense attention to detail and responsiveness through my role as an editor. This semester, I worked on a series of initiatives to boost our audience within the Berkeley community and beyond: creating new Instagram templates, establishing a cohesive workflow for our video producers for the first time in Daily Cal history and revising the editor-to-staffer communication process. In only a couple of months, the changes I implemented along with my deputy editors led to a 130% increase in our engagement rate across our respective platforms.

The Daily Cal’s social media department has transformed the focus of my future career. During my time here, I have evolved as both a communicator and leader as I continue to learn more about the role social media plays in disseminating news media to the broader public.

Below are a few examples of breaking news, special issues and design posts I have published on various platforms. Explore more of my work on our Instagram, X, and Facebook pages.

  1. [Oregon State game day issue] - Designed, copy edited and published. Responsible for redesigning all of DC’s Instagram templates.

  2. [Election issue] - Designed, copy edited and published.

  3. [Job fair issue] - Designed, copy edited and published.

  4. [Syracuse game day issue] - Designed, copy edited and published.

  5. [Outside Lands photo essay] - Designed, copy edited and published.

  6. [Live tweeting Berkeley Mayoral Debate]- Took notes, drafted X posts and published a live thread during the debate.

LIVE TWEETING

ASUC debates, elections, and more.