Editor in Chief at The Independent Florida Alligator
Gainesville, Florida Area
- Current
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- Editor in Chief at The Independent Florida Alligator
- Past
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- Metro Intern at The Tampa Tribune
- Higher Education Blogger at The Campus Word
- Features Intern at Roll Call
- Assistant World Editor at The Campus Word
- University Editor at The Independent Florida Alligator
- Writer at The Independent Florida Alligator
- Education
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- University of Florida
- Georgetown University
- Indian River Community College
- Recommended
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Jessica DaSilva’s Summary
I'm a journalism and political science student at the University of Florida (Go Gators!) looking to eventually break into political journalism. This fall, I'm taking a class in Web design, and really enjoying it. I'll be learning Flash in the spring.
Right now, I'm the editor in chief of The Independent Florida Alligator, which is billed as the largest student-run newspaper in the U.S. and is No. 2 for the most Hearst Awards. I'm damn proud to be the captain of such a prestigious ship.
Jessica DaSilva’s Specialties:
Blogging, American Sign Language, audio recording/editing, SoundSlides, English grammar, AP Style, online mapping, HTML, CSS
Jessica DaSilva’s Experience
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Editor in Chief
The Independent Florida Alligator
(Newspapers industry)
August 2008 — Present (4 months)
Managing the staff of The Independent Florida Alligator, billed as the largest student-run newspaper in the U.S. (and No. 2 for most Hearst Awards). Along with Hilary Lehman, managing editor for print, and Ken Schwencke, managing editor for online, I help plan and direct content for the newspaper and Web site. I spend too much time in the newsroom and love it.
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Metro Intern
The Tampa Tribune
(Public Company; 501-1000 employees; MEG; Newspapers industry)
June 2008 — August 2008 (3 months)
I basically did general assignment reporting for The Tampa Tribune. This included stories about recycling, libraries and politics (when I was lucky). I also assisted other reporters with their projects, and for a week in July I interned downstairs with TBO.com's continuous news desk where I blogged from Van's Warped Tour using my mobile device.
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Higher Education Blogger
The Campus Word
(Writing and Editing industry)
April 2008 — July 2008 (4 months)
After the site's refocusing, I was hired as a blogger to report on higher education news. I resigned to focus on my personal blog.
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Features Intern
Roll Call
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Newspapers industry)
January 2008 — April 2008 (4 months)
I wrote feature stories about happenings on and around Capitol Hill. Stories ranged from new art exhibits to congressmen's new constituency initiatives.
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Assistant World Editor
The Campus Word
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Newspapers industry)
January 2008 — April 2008 (4 months)
I edit opinion columns from a diverse staff of writers consisting of college students from all over the world. I also give feedback on the timeliness and news worth of articles.
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University Editor
The Independent Florida Alligator
(Non-Profit; 51-200 employees; Newspapers industry)
May 2007 — December 2007 (8 months)
I oversaw four writers, assigning and editing stories regarding the goings on of the University of Florida. I sent related links and documents to the online staff. I also blogged from UF Board of Trustees meetings and during student government elections. I’m a former UF administration and student government writer.
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Writer
The Independent Florida Alligator
(Non-Profit; 51-200 employees; Newspapers industry)
June 2006 — May 2007 (1 year)
I covered two beats during the 11 months I wrote for the Alligator. From June to December 2006, I covered UF's student government, and from January to May 2007, I reported on UF's administration. At the end of the spring semester, I was promoted to university editor--the position that oversees the two respective beats.
I have clips available from both writing positions.
Jessica DaSilva’s Education
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University of Florida
Bachelors in Science, Journalism & Political Science, 2005 — 2009 (expected)
- Activities and Societies:
- University of Florida Fencing Club Team, August 2005 - June 2006
Friends Across the Ages volunteer, September 2005 - December 2005
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Georgetown University
Government 2008 — 2008
I am currently attending Georgetown University for the semester as part of The Fund for American Studies' Capital Semester on Political Journalism. I'm taking 12 credits in government and interning at Roll Call Newspaper.
- Activities and Societies:
- Capital Semester on Political Journalism
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Indian River Community College
Associate of Arts, 2001 — 2005
I attended Indian River Community College while I was in high school without receiving high school credit. I graduated with high honors a week before my high school graduation.
Additional Information
Jessica DaSilva’s Websites:
Jessica DaSilva’s Interests:
politics, higher education news, blogging, Web design, newspapers, online journalism, sketching, pretentious literature
Jessica DaSilva’s Groups:
The Alligator Network, Capital Semester on Political Journalism
Jessica DaSilva’s Honors:
Graduated magna cum laude from IRCC
Adrian M. Sample Scholarship recipient
Florida Academic Scholars Award
Jessica DaSilva’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
- consulting offers
- new ventures
- expertise requests
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
