Laura Baugh

 

Laura Baugh is the reason you are currently reading this article on this website. She is a senior communication and film major who founded the Virginia Tech chapter of Her Campus. Not only is she super involved with Her Campus, she is also the general manager of VTTV and one of the founding members of Gamma Phi Beta sorority at Virginia Tech. Continue reading to find out how she does it all!

1. In what ways are you involved on campus?

Right now, I’m the general manager of Tech’s student-run television station, VTTV. I’ve been involved with VTTV since my freshman year, starting out as an anchor/reporter and working my way up to management. It’s a lot of fun, and my staff is really passionate about the shows they make (watch us at www.vttv33com!). I’m also a founding member of Gamma Phi Beta, the newest sorority at Virginia Tech. Lastly, I write for Her Campus and manage the Twitter account. I actually was the one who founded the Her Campus branch back in March 2011! I stepped down from my correspondent position in order to focus on my management with VTTV, but I still love being a part of the branch in any way I can. Other than that I spend a lot of time in the VTTV studio or working on all of the video projects for my two majors.

2. What do you do with VTTV?

As the general manager, I’m in charge of the entire station. It’s my job to make sure things are running smoothly and that shows are getting produced on schedule. It’s funny, but I never thought I’d end up as the general manager! I started out in the news department my freshman year and then eventually got the position of assistant news director and then news director. When our previous general manager was talking at a meeting last semester and mentioned that no one had applied for the 2012-2013 school year, I decided to take a chance and apply. It’s definitely different from the previous positions I’ve held in VTTV, but I’m enjoying it so far!  

3. How has going Greek changed your experience here at Tech?

I know this sounds cliché, but before I joined Gamma Phi Beta, I never saw myself as a sorority girl. I didn’t really have any interest in being a part of one, and I never went through formal recruitment. February of my sophomore year, one of my roommates told me about how there was going to be a new sorority on campus and she thought she was going to try it out. Next thing I knew, I’m at the interest meeting with her along with our other roommate and good friend. The idea of founding a chapter really piqued my interest, and I figured I’d give it a shot. Honestly, I’m so glad I went through with it. I have met so many awesome people that I probably wouldn’t have met had I had not joined. My advice for girls who are on the fence about going through recruitment is to just go for it!

4. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your time at Tech?

I’d definitely have to say the importance of networking and being involved. Don’t just use your classes as a way to gain experience in your field; join a related organization or get a few internships under your belt. If I could do it all over again, I would have started pursuing internships earlier on in college.

5. If you could say one thing to freshmen, what would it be? 

College is the time to go for it. Don’t be afraid to try new things or join interesting organizations, because that’s how you will meet people. You will get no where if you just sit in your dorm all the time on Facebook, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there!