Name: Celina Pelaez
Year: Junior
Major: English: Editing, Writing & Media
Hometown: Miami Lakes, FL
Organizations: College Magazine
Courtesy: Celina Pelaez
Her Campus (HC): So you have currently been assigned the position of Senior Editor for the FSU chapter for College Magazine. How did you land this position?
Celina Pelaez (CP): Over the summer, I got an email from the English advisors about an editor position at College Magazine. When I applied, I had zero writing experience so they hired me as a staff writer. I worked hard all summer and got promoted to editor. A few months after landing the editor position, a senior editor position opened up and the former senior editor recommended me as her replacement.
HC: Is this considered an internship credit as well and do you have any advice for students seeking an internship?
CP: Yes, I’m currently enrolled for internship credit with College Magazine. Well first, I recommend you check out the internship directory on CM’s website. A whole section of the website is dedicated to featured English and communication internships. Definitely take advantage of our career center because they have awesome advisors to help you out with all things internship-related.
HC: Are there any hardships you face as senior editor?
CP: Time management and communication. Most of what I do involves training new editors so I have to review the edits they make on their writers’ drafts and make sure everyone is getting drafts in on time. I have to prioritize College Magazine into my everyday schedule and send back reviewed drafts on time because if I don’t uphold deadlines, then I can’t expect my editors or their writers to do the same.
HC: What advice would you give to cure the infamous writer’s block?
CP: Give your head a rest. When I have writer’s block, it’s usually because I’ve been working for a few hours and my brain is about to fritz. Usually, if I step back and take a break or work on a different assignment, I return back to the draft with new ideas.
HC: If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?
CP: I’d love to be an editor at the New York Times or a columnist.
HC: For those Creative Writers or EWM majors that are worried about the future or not landing the job of their dreams, what advice would you give them?
CP: Stop listening to the haters. I’m actually working on a profile about one of the career liaisons and she clued me in that English majors learn the top 10 skills employers want in a candidate. So really, we’re the winners here.
HC: Since, just like us, you are constantly writing and editing, what kind of topics do you think students are mostly looking to read about nowadays? Or do you have any suggestions for what our Her Campus writers can write about?
CP: I think students want to read articles that will challenge their thoughts. College is so confusing and I think it’s our job to find surprising and helpful tips that will make life easier for our readers.
HC: Being from Miami, do you ever miss anything from there that you don’t have in Tallahassee?
CP: Yes. I’m seriously craving Vicky Bakery croquetas right now.
HC: If a freshman asked you, “What have you learned in college thus far?” What would you say?
CP: Netflix binges are probably the leading cause of procrastination.
HC: How do you deal with time management?
CP: Prioritizing what I need to do based on deadlines and taking advantage of free time to catch up on drafts and editing.
HC: Tell us a quote you live by.
CP: “I am a princess and I should be treated as such, but I should not act like one.” Don’t judge me and just put that in context of a relationship.
HC: Now, for some fun questions. Which female television character do you identify yourself with?
CP: Rory Gilmore. She’s awesome on all levels, except when dealing with boys.
HC: Tell us a funny story of something that has happened to you at a job and what you learned from it.
CP: Actually, when I applied to College Magazine, I corresponded with a person named “Kendall.” The only Kendall I’d ever heard of is Kendall Jenner so I greeted emails with “Ms.” When Kendall emailed to confirm the time for my phone interview, I was kindly informed that Kendall is in fact, a boy. I had no idea Kendall is a gender neutral name, and I learned to always figure out who the heck you’re talking to before you send an email. Needless to say, I was extremely embarrassed.
HC: What is your favorite spot to study or work on an article in Tallahassee?
CP: Any bench on campus with shade makes me happy.
HC: What do you think has been your biggest accomplishment as a college student thus far?
CP: My greatest accomplishment is probably just making it to FSU. I transferred as a sophomore and the process is really annoying and tedious.
HC: Using only five words, describe yourself.
CP: Determined, dedicated, uncoordinated, quirky, busy.
HC: Lastly, when you’re not in class, on the job or at your internship for College Magazine, where can you be found?
CP: Probably eating Chubby’s chicken fingers or pizza with my boyfriend, Nick.