Name: Ally Hamzey
Year: Junior
Major: Journalism with a minor in public relations
Hometown: Rochester Hills, Michigan
What made you decide to major in Journalism? I’ve always loved storytelling. If they are good or if they are bad, stories evoke the most emotion out of us. Whether it be a feature I write for Her Campus that aims to bring a simple laugh or delight to someone’s day, or a hard news article I reported on that brings light to an issue or cause that is important to a group of people — it feels meaningful.
What made you decide to minor in public relations? I really liked the idea of using my writing and communication skills as a tool to connect people to organizations or companies. I felt that this would be a perfect medium for me to channel these skills and another option for me to pursue after I graduate. With my passion for the entertainment industry, I knew that I could apply public relations in my dream industry as well.
What is your favorite thing about MSU? I love the diversity the most at MSU. Whether that means we’re discussing the incredibly diverse staff and students that come from all over the world or the vastly diverse options you have here at MSU to succeed. I love knowing that with whatever little niche or research I want to pursue, there is most likely a program or professor here that can help me explore what I’m interested in here. It sounds cheesy, but the possibilities here seem limitless sometimes.
What is your favorite class you’ve taken so far at MSU? My favorite class so far at MSU has to be my HST 110: History Approach to Contemporary Issues class that focused on “The State of Women in America Today and How We Got Here.” It was the first time I learned about history strictly through the lens of women, and it really struck a chord for me. It made me want to continue digging deeper to see all of the erased women who paved the path in our history in so many ways.
What is your role within HC MSU? I’m the events director, so I coordinate two monthly events, one being internal and one being external. A majority of it consists with me harassing members to tell me when they’re available so we can go get food somewhere or meet on campus for a promotional event.
What is your favorite event you’ve put on for HC MSU? Before a few days ago, I would’ve said for sure, without a doubt, our Gender Wage Gap Bake Sale. It was really empowering to draw attention to such an important issue we have today with gender inequality in the workplace. Even more, it was great to see support from women — and even men — who had no problem paying a dollar for desserts that women were paying a 75 cents for. However, our Galentine’s Day party from earlier this week tops all. It was insanely detailed and such a good time. I kid you not, it was literally a PB Teen Valentine’s Day-themed living room or something — I was in love.
What is your favorite article you’ve written for HC MSU? My favorite article has to be my most recent, “You May Feel Equal, But the Majority of Women Don’t” article. It’s an understatement to say I felt frustrated seeing a consistent stream of misunderstood, off-base anti-feminism articles all over my social media feed. I felt that the concept of privilege and the simplicity of feminism was really something that needed to be reiterated, so I channeled these feelings into an article and was satisfied with how it was construed in words.
What’s something people may not know about you? I have a typewriter, and it is my child. I love writing on it more than anything else, although I rarely have time to. Every single click gets me fired up — like yes, I am definitely writing the next New York Time’s Best Seller, thank you very much.