If you’re looking for Melodi around campus, you may want to start at one of Pittsburgh’s top brunch restaurants. Can’t find her there? Try an outdoor yoga event, painting class, or any event that just looks like a blast. When this brunch expert isn’t reporting back to our Her Campus team on the best restaurants we must try, she’s floating gracefully between her many activities and responsibilities. No matter how busy she is, Melodi always has a smile on her face. I’m so excited to work with her as she begins her first year as a Campus Correspondent for Her Campus Pitt. Take some time to get to know this charismatic new face of HC Pitt!
HC: What organizations are you involved in on campus?
Melodi: I’m involved in two organizations on campus that I’m really passionate about and spend a lot of time with! One is Students Consulting for Non-Profit Organizations (SCNO). We work with non-profits in the Pittsburgh area on projects that they don’t have the expertise or resources to complete themselves. It’s a really rewarding experience to be able to give back to the community and has taught me a lot about professionalism and teamwork. The other is Her Campus Pitt (surprise surprise). Her Campus is one of my favorite activities because it allows me to work with a great team of writers and plan some of Pitt’s best events.
HC: How did you first get involved with Her Campus? How has it changed since your first year?
Melodi: I got involved with Her Campus during my sophomore year of college. Even though I’m an Information Science major, which doesn’t have much to do with writing, I’ve always enjoyed writing in my spare time. I came across Her Campus at the student activities fair and thought it would be a great way to be part of an organization where I could express myself. Plus, I thought it would be so much fun to plan fun events and learn more about social media. Her Campus has really grown since I first joined, which is exciting to see. We have a larger team as well as a more prominent following, and throughout the past few years have discovered new ways to make an impact aside from through articles. We now hold fundraising and service events which makes our organization extremely well-rounded.
HC: What are you most excited about in taking over as VP for this year?
Melodi: I’m excited in general!! But I’d say I’m most excited to work with the event planning and social media teams. I’ve worked with the writers as a writer myself in the past, but haven’t done much of the behind-the-scenes work for social media and events. With so many cool events coming up this semester (shameless plug for everyone to come to our Late Night Cookie Sale and HC Night Out), I can’t wait to help get the word out there!
HC: As you begin senior year, what’s your secret to staying organized with everything that’s on your plate?
Melodi: My number one secret to staying organized is keeping an extremely detailed calendar – seriously, there’s so much stuff on it and anyone who sees it probably think I’m crazy, but it’s the only way I can keep track of everything I have to get done and make sure I don’t forget any of it.
HC: What are your favorite things to do in Pittsburgh? Favorite things about Pitt?
Melodi: There are so many! One of my favorite things about Pitt as a school is that everyone seems to know everyone. Every time I meet someone new, they know one of my friends. Even though Pitt is a big school, this makes it feel so much smaller and like I can relate to new people easily. In terms of the city of Pittsburgh, my number one favorite thing is probably the food… There are tons of awesome neighborhoods with even more awesome restaurants that I’m always dying to try! Anyone who is friends with me on Snapchat knows I’m guilty of always taking food pics… Aside from that, I love Pittsburgh sports and the Pittsburgh pride that seems to radiate from everyone here. Pittsburgh has come to feel like home after being at school here the past few years, which I think goes to show how much I love the school and city.
HC: What is your biggest goal for HC Pitt this year?
Melodi: My biggest goal for HC Pitt is to make our presence even more known on campus and beyond. It’s always a great feeling when we are tabling at the activities fair or promoting our events and people come up to us and say, “I read your site!” It makes all of the hard work worth it. I’d also love for people outside of just Pitt to read our articles. When we have an article reach around 80,000 views, that means it’s reached people all over the city and who knows where else, which is super cool to put into perspective.
HC: Looking back as a senior, what is some advice you would give to freshman who are just starting to join organizations on campus like Her Campus?
Melodi: Looking back, I would definitely tell freshmen that it’s okay to get involved in organizations that don’t necessarily have to do with your major. Sometimes it’s good to branch out and do something a little outside of your comfort zone. Being exposed to new things and different types of people is, for me, the best way to become a well-rounded student and expand your friend group. I’ve met so many amazing people through Her Campus that I wouldn’t have met in my classes, and it’s made my college experience that much better.
Photos provided by Celeb.