1. What’s your name, major, and year? Dena Khalafallah – Communication Studies – Senior *confetti emoji*
2. Do you have any plans for after graduation? I’m not going to pretend to know what I’m doing with my life, because nothing’s officially planned. I’ve never been someone to talk about my goals before I actually accomplish them. Can I just hit you with a deep quote? “Real G’s move in silence like lasagna.” Yes, that is a rap lyric from a Lil Wayne song.
3. What’s your current internship at WGN like?I’m currently interning for “Chicago’s Very Own” TV station, WGN. I get in the newsroom at 7am, and check-in with the producers. (Congratulations to me for waking up so early.) My typical responsibilities are researching for segments, pitching story ideas, selecting videos for on-air use or archive, greeting guests, Snapchat, etc. I love my internship because the station is very Chicago and authentic. So far my best experience has been working the annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Bourbon Street. Granted, I had to be there by 5am and I was running around like a busy bee, but it was so much fun! Added bonus: I now have a festive and glittery t-shirt that says, “South Side Queen” …even though its very obvious that I’m a North Side chick.
4. Where do you want to be in five years?Five years from now I hope to be in Los Angeles and still chasing my dream. I want to be an entertainment news correspondent and host, or producer in maybe ten years or so. It would be really cool to have a couple of gigs at the halfway mark. (Side note: I totally contradicted my answer to your third question. How awkward would it be if I got stuck in an office somewhere in a Chicago suburb five to ten years from now? I usually swerve this question, you’re welcome!)
5. What do you love about media and communications? We’re so tuned in to everything that’s trending or happening in the world, whether its through television or digital media. We’re basically in a time of media overload; its 24/7 and always evolving… I love the spontaneousness of it all!