My name is Sophia Pedroso. I am a third year student at Chapel Hill studying Media and Journalism in the Hussman School and Political Science.
I was born and raised in Bridgewater, New Jersey. I attended Bridgewater-Raritan High School where I was my class vice president for four years.
Throughout high school I was also the production stage manager of my theatre department and vice-president/president of the Thespian Honors Society. I have also been playing tennis since intermediate school.
Although I attended high school in New Jersey, my mom lived in Pennslyvania so I frequently commuted between the two states.
Family is very important to me. I’m very close to both my parents and my step-parents. I also have a lot of siblings, three sisters and one brother.
I was born May 29 and I am Brazilian and Portuguese.
I have been working at the UNC Package Centers since the start of this semester. Although I have not been working there for that long, I take great pride in being a part of the package center team. The work place environment is unlike any other I have experienced, and I have truly felt tremendous support from the management and other student staff.
My experience at the package center drove me to the topic of my first interview. I decided to interview one of my managers primarily to shine some light on the elaborate process of getting mail to students. Part of my motivation was that I saw that there was little clarity on how the package centers operated and I thought students could benefit from better understanding it. Furthermore, I wanted to highlight the tremendous work put in by members of the staff, like Cody, and provide them with a sense of recognition for their contributions to the greater Chapel Hill community.
My second project was focused on my good friend, Alyssa Hammel. Alyssa is only a senior in high school and already has her own business where she makes specialty baked goods that are not only delicious but also beautiful.
I had heard about Alyssa’s business in stories she told when I first met her. She had also once bought me and my friend’s some left-over cupcakes at the end of her business week, which reflects Alyssa’s kind and generous nature. It was when I was able to actually see her products in person, and taste them, that I realized that she truly had a gift that deserved to be recognized.
I decided to attend UNC Chapel Hill largely because of the tremendous sense of school spirit and the vast opportunities available. I have greatly enjoyed the opportunity to explore various clubs and attend exciting sports events.
Upon first entering Carolina I was a political science major. However, I quickly noticed something was lacking. I did not feel passion for the classwork and dreaded going over course material. In an attempt to find a new major, I took MEJO 137, Principles of Advertising and Public Relations. Not only did I quickly fall in love with the concept of advertising, but I also was fascinated about the Hussman school. Upon taking more classes in Hussman, I realized I wanted to switch my focus to Media and Journalism in order to primarily pursue broadcast journalism. Specifically, broadcast journalism production.
I am tremendously excited about the various opportunities that await in Hussman and the classes that I will take. Introduction to Digital Media has been an important step in my process as a Hussman student and has only further motivated me to explore the program.
I am currently a member of the Residence Hall Association Marketing Board. I work alongside a group of student to make marketing material in regards to RHA events and services.
I live in Morrison Residence Hall with my seven suite-mates. Last year, I lived with the same seven girls in Ehringhaus Residence Hall. I have really loved living on south campus, although I am moving off-campus next year to live in a house.