This week’s campus celebrity is Jessica Dziala, the current UCTV Channel 14 News Anchor!
Name: Jessica Dziala
Year: Senior
Major: Journalism and Communications double major
Hometown: Bristol, Conn.
Celeb Status: UCTV Channel 14 News Anchor
Why are you passionate about journalism?
I’m passionate about all kinds of writing but I’m especially passionate about journalism because you have the opportunity to make a difference in your community with your writing and reporting. People often turn to the media to uncover issues in their towns and states.
How has your role in UCTV affected your life here at UConn?
My role at UCTV has complemented what I’ve learned in my journalism and communications courses with real life experience. By learning to be comfortable asking questions and speaking in front of cameras I’ve developed excellent people skills and have become more confident.
What’s your favorite part about being a UCTV news anchor?
Being an anchor is great. I love going to each broadcast and trying to improve the way I deliver the news from week to week. We also have to write our own stories so I get to work behind the scenes and be on camera, it’s the best of both worlds.
You’re also a writer for the Daily Campus, what’s the most interesting story you have written?
I wrote a story for the Daily Campus about how Facebook and social media tools can severely hinder college grads from getting a job. I interviewed a West Hartford police officer who almost failed his interview because of his Facebook profile.
After you graduate in May, what would be your dream job?
My dream job after graduation is to anchor for a major news network. I obviously have to start lower, as an associate producer or reporter, but I look forward to the challenge of working towards my goal. I interned this past summer at News 12 in the newsroom, which definitely got the ball rolling in the right direction.