Name: Diana Marinaccio
Year: 2015
Hometown: Plainview, NY
Major: Journalism and Mass Communication
Campus Activities: The Hatchet (Multimedia Editor), Chi Omega (Internal Philanthropy Chair), Alternative Winter Breaks
What sparked your interest in doing multimedia for The Hatchet?
“I really love multimedia. I’m really into broadcast journalism, and I think being able to tell a story through multimedia is super interesting and unique. Being able to communicate certain stories to the public is something that’s very unique to journalism. I think it’s really important to communicate a message that needs to be out there. I think through multimedia there is a little bit of an art aspect. You can be a little creative with packages and segments. I like mass communication because a lot of people can watch it and feel something from what you produced, which is what I love about it. I love also being able to go to all of these events in DC in the middle of history happening.”
What has been the most challenging story you have done?
“A couple weeks ago there was an intense, spontaneous Syrian protest at the White House. It was both pro-intervention and anti-war protesting against each other. It was a really interesting piece to cover. It was very challenging to be in the middle of the protest going on, while also trying to do interviews to convey both sides in the piece. At the end, I think it proved to be a really rewarding piece. It definitely speaks to our school that we get to cover DC breaking news. We have to be covering news that major media organizations are covering. I think that’s a huge advantage for us as students because we get to produce works that not many others students get to produce. Now I have this piece in my portfolio about such a big issue, and being in the middle of that was like being in the middle of history. It’s just so exciting. It’s challenging, but it’s completely rewarding.”
Why were you interested in getting in philanthropy at GW?
“Service is something I’ve been interested since high school. I got into service as president of my Spanish Honor Society. We did a lot of service with Latin American youth, and we raised money for sick children in the Dominican Republic. I have always combined service with Spanish, which is why I’m minoring in Spanish. Alternative Breaks has been a great way to combine both of that. I just really think it’s important that we give back to the community. Especially being able to do service on different levels is something that interests me. I did service in the DC community with Little Friends for Peace and Make a Wish, which has been great. There are so many different ways to get involved with service. Whether you do one or you do twenty there are always options and they’re always great.”
What is special about Chi Omega’s philanthropy?
“Our philanthropy is Make A Wish, which I am really passionate about because it’s an awesome cause. It’s important to me because I put a lot of happiness and value and laughter in it. I think wishes make children happy and there’s nothing more important than a child’s happiness. This year we have wish week coming up, and I want to raise enough money to grant a wish because then we can see a child be happy. It’s going to make that child feel great, and it’s going to make us feel great. We’re so lucky in so many things. I have my health, great friends, great family, and a great education and to be able to use everything I have to improve the happiness or life of somebody else is so beneficial and rewarding and I think invaluable.”
What are your goals past GW?
“I would love to go into the broadcast television industry. I love production. I would love to tell stories. Ideally I would like to travel, maybe international news coverage. Segment production is really interesting to me. I definitely want to stay involved with service wherever I go. I think that serving the community that we’re in is very crucial and important. I want to be in journalism and communications because I love dealing with people. I think that if I can reach out to people and do that for the rest of my life by reaching people and touching their hearts by telling stories or by producing, I think that’s just going to be really gratifying to me.”
You have already had some experience with broadcasting through internships and other opportunities. What has that been like?
“Going into my sophomore year I interned at Inside Edition and worked a lot on the investigative unit on political investigations, which was really interesting. This past summer I interned at the Today Show in New York at Rockefeller Center, which was the most amazing experience. I got to work on segment production whether it be on shoots, doing research, in the studio or helping live. It was awesome. I was introduced to the most amazing producers, reporters and journalists, and the other interns that I worked with were absolutely amazing. I literally couldn’t have asked for a better summer. I just feel like everybody there was so dedicated and so passionate, and they love what they do. That really inspired me to bring that back to GW and use that here for The Hatchet and for what I am going to do in the future. I’m still with NBC. I’m currently interning for NBC in Washington, which is really great. I love it. It’s been awesome to see the DC community from a new angle as opposed to Foggy Bottom. These internships have led me to develop as person and a journalist. I feel like that’s really important, and I’m so grateful for these experiences.”
What is the best advice you have ever gotten?
“I would have to say from my grandma, who has implanted the idea for me, “You have the power.” It just is true because it motivates me to know that you’re in control of your life and you make your choices and choose how you want to live your life. You can’t let setbacks bring you down because you just have to continue because the only person that determines your happiness is you and your mindset. We all have the power to go out and achieve what we want whether it be in careers or with family and friends. That’s something that has always stuck with me that I have the power to create my life how I want to.”
What advice would you give to someone to get his or her dream internship or campus leadership position?
“I would tell people that it’s super important to do your research. Don’t be afraid to stalk a little bit. Email a person you don’t know because what’s the worst that can happen? They don’t respond? It’s worth it to reach out to people. If you are making connections definitely keep in touch with them. Always make sure that you’re aware of how awesome the opportunities you’re doing are for you because it will keep you grounded. Don’t wait for something to happen to you. Go out and get it because in the end it’s your happiness and so if you want to do something than you should just go do it. Factor in certain things or whatever but it’s just important that everyone knows that you shouldn’t let anything hold you back. If you want an internship you research it you should definitely go get it.
“Also, it’s important for everyone to know that they are unique in some way and to pick up on the traits that make them who they are and to definitely know that there is something valuable about everyone and use it. Love yourself, love your personality, and if you feel comfortable with yourself in doing what you do and doing what you love, it’s contagious and other people will love to be around you and you’ll do awesome things and you’ll just be a lot better off.”