After holding internships at such prestigious publications as Interview Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Post; Josie Raccuia is working as the Vice President of NYU’s Women in Communication this year. Women in Communication is a networking organization for NYU students interested in working in a communications-related field such as journalism, advertising, marketing, public relatins, and fashion. HC NYU chatted with Josie about her role in the organization, why she got involved, and her plans for this year.
Name: Josie Raccuia
School: CAS
Year: 2014
Major: English & American Literature
Fun fact: I have five dogs!
HC NYU: What are the main goals/mission of Women in Communication?
JR: Women in Communication’s mission is to bridge the gap between the academic world and the working world for ambitious young women. Since most of the girls on our panel have had extensive experience in the communications field, we feel that we have the connections and experience to pass on some valuable advice.
HC NYU: What sets W.I.C. apart from other clubs and organizations on campus?
JR: While every club at NYU serves a valuable purpose on campus, very few of them focus on post-graduate life. We believe that giving our girls the dos and don’ts of interviewing and finding jobs is invaluable advice when it comes to be coddled in an academic environment. Very few people look ahead to the future and we are here to help those who want to do exactly that.
HC NYU: What made you want to get involved in Women in Communication?
JR: My experience in journalism led me to Women in Communication. I came to my first meeting in the fall of my junior year and, thinking that I knew everything there was to know about interviewing, finding a job and creating a professional pathway for myself, I left my first W.I.C. meeting with more information than I had before. In short, I was impressed and I wanted to, not simply learn from the women on the executive board, but bring in my own advice to the club. So, naturally, I was thrilled with Elizabeth Gonzales, W.I.C.’s president, asked me to be Vice President of the club last spring.
HC NYU: What are some of your responsibilities as Vice President?
JR: Being V.P. of any club involves a lot of responsibility, but I am lucky enough to have a co-Vice President, Maria Schwanke, who works with me to send out emails, find panelists and delegate tasks to our other valuable board members. The girls on the executive board have all had valuable work experience (some have worked for esteemed publications such as Vogue, Marie Claire, Kenneth Cole and The Wall Street Journal), so they always have some good ideas for panels. It is definitely a team effort!
HC NYU: What are some events or panels that W.I.C. is looking at hosting this semester?
JR: W.I.C. hosts four panels throughout the semester. Our first panel will be simply introductory, where the girls will get to learn more about the women on the executive board and our work experience. Our next three panels will focus on themes, whether it be editorial, public relations, or fashion related.
HC NYU: Why do you recommend other girls join W.I.C.? What is the best thing about being part of the organization?
JR: If you want to be ahead of the curve by learning from the best and making valuable New York City connections, W.I.C. is the place to be. Moreover, me and the ladies are always willing to answer personal questions before, after or even outside of meetings, so you can guarantee that you will get that personal attention you deserve. What we do is unprecedented: we bring people who are in the top of their field to you, and who knows how far networking like that can take you? These are just a few of the reasons why I love being part of W.I.C.