Kaitlyn Cano is a hard-working, creative, and innovative student studying Advertising and Public Relations as well as English and Comparative Literature at UNC-Chapel Hill. In the future, she hopes to work in the professional writing field, incorporating both her degrees and interests.
Roles at Carolina that are shaping my skills for the future.
The Daily Tar Heel (August 2023 – Present)
Being a staff writer for City and State news stories, as well as a copyeditor at the DTH has grown my writing, investigating, reporting, and editing skills. At the DTH I edit both new stories as well as retroactive reads, hoping to spot issues that could harm the organization’s name and credibility.
The Journal of Foreign Affairs at Carolina (August 2024 – Present)
Learning different forms of writing and editing is important to me as I hope to work in a field that is constantly changing and based on the outside environment. In this role, I work with a team of four to edit, revise, and improve journal additions for biannual publications.
The Undergraduate Law Journal at Carolina (August 2024 – Present)
Professional writing can take many shapes post-graduation. In this role, I work one-on-one with writers throughout the entire writing process, from idea development to research.
Novels Notion Book Club (August 2024 – Present)
Personal as well as professional interests are important to me. I created a book club that welcomes all Carolina members to participate. We meet biweekly to discuss our latest reading and develop a book list for future meetings.
Skills
During my time at Carolina, I have developed a comprehensive list of skills from my classes and extracurriculars.
Adobe Premiere Pro
I have used Premiere Pro to develop videos ranging from 1 to 5 minutes in length. During this process, I developed a familiarity with most editing components.
Photoshop
Experience in cropping, removing, and enhancing artwork and photographs.
Social Media
I maintain several social media accounts to stay up to date with the latest trends and happenings. This includes Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, and Pinterest.
Editing
Holding several editing positions in different fields (Foreign Affairs, Law, and News), has given me the tools to take any form of media and correct and refine it.
Professional Writing, Arts, and PR
In both my English and MEJO classes, I have practiced and presented full portfolios of both educational and promotional materials to Ackland Art Museum and Honorbridge as clients.
Canva
Using Canva, I can create imaginative and innovative designs and have done so for both my classes and extracurriculars.
Classes and Experience
During my time at UNC, I have taken a plethora of classes that have given me irreplaceable skills and experiences, especially within the Hussman School of Media and Journalism.
Classes
- MEJO 121: Digital Storytelling
- MEJO 153: Writing and Reporting
- MEJO 137: Advertising and Public Relations
- ENGL 301: Professional Writing in the Arts
Experience
- Development of educational materials for Ackland Museum’s upstairs exhibit
- Project proposal created for MEJO 137 client: HonorBridge
- Creation of multiple video interviews using Premiere Pro in MEJO 121
- I have written several investigative and research-based news articles pertaining to issues in and outside of the Carolina community in MEJO 153
FAQs
What is your biggest motivation?
My biggest motivator in pursuing a professional writing and Ad/PR career is understanding the continuous cycle of media and trends. I love being able to combine my love for writing and communicating, with my desire to understand and be a part of the creative goals of so many companies.
Why are you pursuing this field?
This field offers the best of everything I am studying. The ability to tell stories in different forms, critical analysis of different situations and messages, strong writing skills to craft different communications materials, and overall adaptability.
Where do you hope to end up in the future?
My end goal is to become a professional communicator, which may take place in different forms. For now, I want to focus on growing my skills and experiences in related roles so I can bring my best to the table after graduation.
How is Carolina shaping your goals?
Carolina, specifically the Hussman School of Journalism and Media has provided me with many opportunities to learn new skills that are vital in the ever-evolving job market and develop my interests through these classes. This school has made me realize that my goal is to continue learning, through different avenues, as well as grow my community, now and in the future.