Meet Sarah Hefferin, a senior majoring in Professional Writing & Journalism, and minoring in photography.
Tell us about your internships and how your classes at La Roche prepared you for them.
I completed an internship with La Roche’s Office of Marketing and Media Relations and a social media management internship with MEDIA - The Creative Agency. Both of my internships involved social media, photography, writing and design.
The way La Roche’s professional writing major is structured prepared me to be versatile. It’s not just focused on journalism; I’ve learned how to write for business, advertising and more technical aspects. Clients really like it when a writer can take on their voice and truly understand their brand. The major sets us up to be leaders and bosses who can really adapt to anything.
What kind of projects have you worked on as an intern? Which ones have been the most rewarding?
At La Roche I planned social media campaigns, wrote magazine articles and press releases and got a taste of photography. I never thought there was a science behind posting a meme, but there totally was. My favorite project was planning a “12 Days of Redhawk" social media campaign. I co-wrote content and took all the photos for it. It was really rewarding to have my hands on an entire project like that.
With my internship at MEDIA, I write weekly social media content for clients, manage email campaigns and monitor engagement on the social accounts. I've also started doing photography and videography as well as design work. The most rewarding assignments so far have been assisting with photoshoots or video shoots. I recently went on a video shoot where we filmed a commercial for a local school.
Tell us about your experience with The Courier, La Roche’s student newspaper. What do you enjoy most about being an editor— what does it add to your college experience?
I have truly loved being part of The Courier. It can be hard to find new story ideas, but it is so rewarding to tell a story that is relevant to La Roche and spotlight someone who has never been in the spotlight. I love writing pieces that focus on students and faculty, and their accomplishments.
The Courier was the first club that I joined at La Roche. I met some of my best friends and favorite professors, and I really felt like I was part of a team. I am not athletic at all, so the comradery was something that I really needed, especially as a freshman.
What do you enjoy most about your major?
I like the classes we get to take, but also the people we get to meet. We get to see plays and musicals, study the coolest writers and really bond. Being an English major makes me feel cool and respected—I mean, you can help everyone with their essays!
How would you describe La Roche to someone who isn’t a student here yet?
La Roche isn’t another mega university where you never know your teachers and you sit in a lecture hall with 500 other students. La Roche is a family. You get to know everyone in every major because it is genuine community of people dedicated to building up each other.
I think the friendships and mentorships here can be even more genuine and important than the ones you form in high school. You meet people from around the world and across the country. I never experienced diversity like this in high school.
In what ways you have grown/changed since freshman year?
I wasn’t as outgoing freshman year. It took me awhile to adjust to college, but after I did, it was incredible. I’m more mature, more driven and even more motivated. I take bigger risks now, push myself out of my comfort zone and take on more challenges.
What advice do you have for students?
Life right now is really hard, with everything being virtual. Let these challenges open doors and provide opportunities for you to adapt and be better. Don’t give up when it gets hard because you are so much more than that.
You will find where you belong, especially when you get to La Roche. There are people here who really care about you and want you to succeed.