Emily Hedegard ’25

Why UNE

I’ve had a passion for writing since I was a little kid, which led to me pursuing journalism. When I came to UNE, I knew that was the path I wanted to follow. I started as an English major, but my interest in storytelling led me to eventually double major in Communications and Media Arts, combining my love for writing with a deeper understanding of the media landscape.

Both programs offer concentration tracks, which I find incredibly helpful in allowing me to tailor my studies to align more closely with my passion for journalism. I’m on the PR and Reporting track for Communications and Media Arts and the Writing track for English. I also decided to minor in writing.

The [School of Arts and Humanities] program at UNE is truly incredible. All my professors are very personable and genuinely care about each individual student. The smaller class sizes allow for more hands-on, one-on-one time with professors, creating an interactive learning experience. Unlike the larger lecture-style classes found in some of the sciences, the humanities classes really encourage conversation and engagement.

Making Connections Through Experiential Learning

The Communications and Media Arts degree program at UNE is full of experiential learning activities. One project that really made an impact on me was in my broadcast media class when the university had its first production shoot in the new Nor’easter Studio. My class had the incredible opportunity to interview Stacia Deshishku, former VP of ABC News.

I was fortunate to conduct the interview and ask the questions on behalf of my classmates. It was so exciting to work hands-on in the studio for the first time. Seeing all of the incredible opportunities opening up for students in the arts and humanities makes me so happy!

I was also given the opportunity to become an editor-in-chief of UNE’s student paper, The Bolt, in my sophomore year. As editor, I learned to navigate the business side of journalism while continuing to grow my portfolio. Additionally, as editor, I was able to introduce dozens of students to the world of news writing, helping them strengthen their writing and interviewing skills.

Engaging in Valuable Internship Opportunities

UNE strongly encourages you to take advantage of internship opportunities. I’ve had several throughout my time here, each offering unique experiences. My first internship started when one of my professors approached me to serve as the reference checker for Across the Disciplines, an academic journal where he is the editor. This wasn’t a typical internship, but it was a good resume builder for when I went forward in my future internships.

From there, I became part of a Community News Fellowship and was partnered with the Portland Press Herald. I wanted to do more than just write two articles during the school year, which was the requirement for the fellowship, so I asked my professors for help expanding the experience. They worked with me to secure two consecutive internships with The Herald. Most recently, I interned with The Maine Monitor, which is an investigative newsroom. The organization has since hired me part-time and taken me on as a staff writer through the Community News Fellowship.

The faculty at UNE truly act as mentors throughout our internship experiences. There’s an internship class where we meet with our peers to casually discuss how things are going at our sites. I find it really helpful to hear from others and receive advice from my professors.

Ready for Success After Graduation

After I graduate from UNE, I am going to be a graduate student at ASU Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication where I will be pursuing my master’s in investigative journalism. I will be working as a graduate assistant and was offered a full ride to the program.

None of this would have been possible without the support of the faculty at UNE, who always encouraged me to take risks and helped me seize the opportunities I found. It’s been a wonderful experience, and I am beyond excited for the future.