Alumni Profile: Meet Ashley Murray, Multimedia Editor, Pittsburgh City Paper Thursday, January 29, 2015
Meet Ashley Murray
Degree earned: B.A. in broadcasting with a minor in global cultural studies, 2009
Job title and employer: Multimedia Editor, Pittsburgh City Paper (operated by Steel City Media)
Hometown: Monongahela, Pa.
Now living in: Pittsburgh, Pa.
High school: Ringgold High School
College activities: College Students in Broadcasting, The Globe, Program for Academic Success, Feminist Forum
Hobbies/interests: Traveling, gardening, cooking and reading (I still enjoy picking up a morning paper and getting magazines delivered in my mailbox).
Twitter: @Ashley__Murray
LinkedIn: Ashley Murray
Why did you choose to attend Point Park?
I chose Point Park initially because I wanted to live and work in Downtown Pittsburgh. Once I attended open house and met the faculty in the School of Communication, I felt that I would be supported while I was there. That turned out to be so true. To this day, I still keep in touch with my professors, and they have kept an eye out for opportunities for me. To me, that was Point Park's most valuable asset - good professors in my major and great supervisors at my work-study positions.
Tell us about your internship opportunities.
The summer after my sophomore year, I landed an internship as a production assistant for Jennifer Antkowiak's talk show, The Jennifer Show. In 2008, I worked as a production intern at 91.3 WYEP. From there, I began to freelance for the local public radio show, The Allegheny Front.
What was it like going to school in the city?
It was freedom going to school in Downtown Pittsburgh! I could take the bus to several neighborhoods. I could try new restaurants, new churches and new nightlife. I could walk to a local coffee shop and local music/video store, both where I worked part time throughout school.
What is one of your favorite college memories?
I have several favorite memories. The friends I made at Point Park made my college experience what it was. For a long stretch of time we would go salsa dancing every Thursday night in the city. It was something none of us had ever tried before, but we really got into it!
How did Point Park prepare you for your career?
Let's just say I learned the following at Point Park: reporting and interviewing, AP Style and copyediting, videography, field recording, and audio and video editing. I use all of these skills every day at work!
What's a typical day like for you?
It varies. Sometimes I'm out in the field interviewing and recording video, while other days I'm at my computer writing or editing audio and video. My new co-workers are great, so there's never a dull day.
What are your career goals?
I want to continue to write print stories as well as produce video projects. Some day I would love to work on a documentary as well as try my hand at investigative journalism.
Anything else you would like to add?
It's been a lot of hard work, but I wouldn't change my path.
Photo by Victoria A. Mikula, sophomore photojournalism major