• Melissa LambarenaNeighbor

  • Encino-Tarzana, CA

I discovered my love for writing as editor on the staff of the Medieval Times Newspaper at Rialto High School. I was drawn by the idea of a talent I didn't even know I had. I made it my goal to have the paper that previously  failed to reach it's deadlines publish at every scheduled time and improve significantly compared to prior years.

Shortly after I headed to UCLA where I began my major in Sociology. I was missing my outlet and it didn't take too long before I found myself working my way up to editor on the campus newsmagazine La Gente. I began to pursue journalism as a passion and began my first internship at KCET working on their magazine. I got my first job on campus by using my previous writing experience to get on staff as a student for the campus faculty and staff newspaper UCLA Today, and I also contributed to UCLA Magazine.

From then on I began to branch out and explore other avenues of journalism. I wrote for the LA Daily News as an intern for the business section. I then moved on to KTLA where I was one of the first interns to work in their new media department. I finished my last intership at KNBC's Special Projects & Investigations where I interned alongside award winning reporter Joel Grover and producer Matt Goldberg. My last year at UCLA I helped start a chapter on campus for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

My favorite thing about journalism is meeting new people and learning their stories. 

In my spare time I like to read about health, the green movement, or keep up with celebrity gossip. I also enjoy experimenting in the kitchen or spending time with family and friends.

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