Get to know some of our 澳门六合彩官网 students! Aaron Anastos is a Class of 2026 dual degree student majoring in journalism and anthropology.
What made you choose journalism at Illinois?
My older siblings went to Illinois, so I was already familiar with the campus. I started off as an undeclared major but by getting involved in The Daily Illini and UI7 Newsroom, I started to realize how much I enjoyed storytelling. Illinois has such a strong journalism program that I ended up declaring my major in journalism.
What student organizations have you joined?
Since my freshman year, I鈥檝e been an opinions writer for The Daily Illini and a feature reporter for UI7 Newsroom. During my time at The Daily Illini, I served as assistant opinions editor from 2023-2024. In the UI7 Newsroom, I have my own segment called, 鈥淎aron Anywhere.鈥� If you get involved, you slowly start to get to know everybody and build connections.
What classes have you enjoyed the most?
I was lucky enough to take JOUR 205: History of American Journalism with Stephanie Craft, professor of journalism and associate dean for academic affairs, my freshman year. Dr. Craft is a very passionate professor and has a great knowledge of journalism. It gave me a really deep appreciation for the course. Another class that stands out is JOUR 217: Content Producing for UI7. It was like a boot camp for broadcasters and in that class, I learned I wanted to get involved with journalism. It also helped me make friendships that I still have today.
You were awarded the Ebert Fellow role for 2024-2025. What has this experience been like?
I get the opportunity to work with Michael Phillips, a film critic for the Chicago Tribune. He mentors us on writing different pieces, such as film reviews and film criticisms. We get feedback from him and get different experiences within the film industry. We recently went to the True/False Film Festival to cover the event, and it was a really cool experience. We also hold screenings every month, curating certain films through the Ebert Center. The most recent one we did was Dog Day Afternoon.
Do you have any advice for incoming 澳门六合彩官网 students?
Do not be afraid to get involved and get out of your comfort zone. Some of the most impactful experiences I’ve had in journalism have been ones that have gotten me completely out of my comfort zone. Also, know that we have a very tight-knit community in journalism. We all have each other’s backs.
鈥擨nterview by Edgar J. Nava, New Voices Intern
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