Digital Media and Journalism student Jocelyn Dias ’24 took a tour of NBC Studios in New York City during her freshman year of high school and was hooked. “At the end of the tour, we did a mock show and I got to be the host,” she says. “It was the best moment of my life. From that day forward I knew that I needed to be on television or working in television.”
Jocelyn says the flexibility of UHart’s School of Communication’s digital media and journalism program has allowed her to explore her interests. “I’ve taken a wide range of classes that have prepared me for a future in media so that I will go into any job or degree program feeling confident in my abilities.”
Jocelyn is fulfilling her academic requirements for her bachelor’s degree a year early and is currently enrolled in a graduate-level communication course. She is planning to earn a master’s in communication through UHart’s accelerated program that allows students to earn both their bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. Jocelyn says she is participating in the Disney College Program this summer.
She has already gained valuable experience by completing an internship with a West Hartford physical therapy practice owned by alumnus Rafael Ozdemirer DPT'10. She landed the internship with Dynamic Performance Physical Therapy through Parker Dewey, an online platform that helps college students find short-term, paid micro-internships in their field of study.
“I was tasked with remodeling a website and taking and uploading photos to it,” she says. “I learned a variety of skills including how to use Divi themes on WordPress, how to effectively communicate the needs of a client by translating his requests into media outputs. These skills will help me make connections with people and bosses in the future, all while completing my tasks in a timely fashion.”
Jocelyn acknowledges her ability to connect with faculty has had a significant impact on her academic success. She says School of Communication Instructor Karen Schermerhorn encouraged her to write about topics she was passionate about in her Media Literacy course. “I had not previously connected my personal interests with my schoolwork, and I learned about the joy of combining them because of Professor Schermerhorn.”
She says her advisor, Associate Professor Susan Cardillo, gave her the confidence and resources to make the most of her time at UHart. “This semester I am doing an independent study with her and going in I had no idea what to expect. But she was able to help me pinpoint my interests and thanks to her, I’m directing ‘Hawk Talk,’ one of the campus sports shows.”
Outside of classes, Jocelyn is the news director for the student-run TV station STN2, is a Red Key Society tour guide, and volunteers as a College of Arts & Sciences student ambassador. She also is a member of the Outdoors & Adventure Club and previously served as its secretary and social media coordinator.
Jocelyn says her favorite thing about UHart is the number of people from different backgrounds. “Everyone has taught me something about myself and about the world for better or worse. I'm always seeking out knowledge and UHart has taught me so many valuable lessons.”
Jocelyn Dias ’24, College of Arts and SciencesI’ve taken a wide range of classes that have prepared me for a future in media so that I will go into any job or degree program feeling confident in my abilities.