Social media certificate student spotlight: Sarah Donaldson

As a journalism major on the news and information track, Sarah Donaldson is pursuing a minor in political science and a certificate in social media. She is set to graduate in May 2022. Donaldson comes to OHIO from her hometown north of Pittsburgh. She answered some questions about her experience with the social media certificate.

What work have you previously done and are currently involved with?

I have previously done three summer internships — at The Columbus Dispatch, the weekly newspaper The Athens NEWS, and a county newspaper north of Pittsburgh called The Butler Eagle. At all three, I researched and wrote articles on a variety of subjects, including breaking news, politics and business. I am currently on the Scripps in D.C. program for the fall semester. Starting in September as part of the program, I will intern with ABC News in Washington D.C. on the team that covers the White House and Congress. 

What are your professional goals?

My professional goal is to work as a reporter covering politics and public affairs.

How do you think the social media certificate will help you in the future?

The social media certificate will help me in the future because social media is a major part of a news organization. Publications use social platforms to disseminate information and connect with their audience. Today, the industry faces a lot of issues, but using social media to better connect with and understand a news organization's audience can be so valuable!

What social media channels do you run?

I don't currently run any social media accounts beyond my personal ones, but I enjoy using the skills I learn in my classes on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.