Let Me Introduce Myself...

I'm going to take a second and break from our tradition programming (aka blog posts) to take a step back and properly introduce myself... 

For those that are just now tagging along to read my blog posts, I would like to say hi! I know I did a brief introduction a few months ago but I would like to give a more in-depth bio about myself that I never got the chance to do. 

(Don't worry, I'm wearing shorts :) )

My name is Alexis Pastore. I am a 21-year-old fourth-year telecommunication major with a specialization in news and a concentration in sports management at the University of Florida. I was born and raised in Tampa, Florida, and grew up with a passion for sports, sharing stories and helping those around me. 

I first found my love for broadcast journalism and news when I joined my high school's TV production program. There, I learned how to film, edit and write for newscasts, feature stories, public service announcements and music videos. 

Then once I entered the University of Florida in 2015, I kicked off my college career the only way I knew how... with involvement. I was selected as one of 43 Preview Staffers, orientation leaders, for the university through the Dean of Students Office. Through this position, I helped welcome in over 10,000 freshmen, transfers and family members to the university. I was able to not only extend my love for the Gator Nation to all those family members and students but was able to further develop my communication, inclusivity, leadership and organizational skills.

Following that, I furthered my involvement in the Dean of Students Office by becoming a Campus Diplomat, the official ambassadors to the office. This student-run group is dedicated to being the pathway for students to the plethora of resources the university has to offer and to help make the university as welcoming and inclusive as we can. 

At my halfway mark at UF is where I really started to dive deeper into the College of Journalism and Communications. In the summer of 2017, I wrote and voiced radio stories for UF's on-campus news station, WUFT.  I also learned how to create on-air content and starred on camera for the First at Five newscasts ranging in all topics and durations. 

In the fall of 2017, I got the opportunity to produce video content for WUFT's First at Five newscasts as well as be a radio content producer for NPR's All Things Considered segment. 

Moving forward into the spring of 2018, I became a reporter for WUFT's First at Five newscasts. In this role, I learned how to pitch, film, edit and write stories for my day-turn shift. I also went live on the First at Five newscasts to front the stories I covered on those days. 

In the summer of 2018, I participated in a 28-day study abroad program through UF's College of Journalism and Communications in which I traveled to Italy. There, I learned how to live like an Italian, learned about the Italian culture and took a three-credit class on Ethical Issues in Telecommunications. Once I returned from my trip, I spent the next three months as a WFLA News Channel 8 Intern in Tampa, Florida. While with News Channel 8, I shadowed several reporters and worked alongside the web and social media team. I was even able to produce some of my own content, both on video and web, during my time as an intern. 

And now, during the fall of 2018, I have picked up the role as a First Year Florida Peer Leader, which allows me to teach a one-credit course to first-year students in hopes of providing them with the best information and resources available to help them be as successful as they can during their first fall semester at UF. I also now serve as a Wednesday anchor for WUFT's First at Five newscasts every other week. 

While I'm not perfect and am still learning, I hope to share my stories of the good, bad and ugly with you through this blog! 

If you missed it, in the past couple of weeks I have talked about Personal Branding and Resumes, being Social, as well as Interviewing Tips. 

If you have any blog post ideas you'd like me to cover or just have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to me! I'd love to chat! 

Until next time, I hope you have a great day and Go Gators!