Communiqué
WOUB Senior Spotlight: Haley Swaino
< < Back toBy Kae Walther
ATHENS, OH – While Haley Swaino is graduating from Ohio University this spring, she will not be leaving Athens or WOUB. The senior journalism news and information major will stay for the summer to work in the WOUB Newsroom as a paid intern. Swaino, who also earned a social media certificate, is going to spend a little more time taking advantage of the opportunities to learn and grow as a journalist at WOUB before starting her job search.
“I want to look for an opportunity to immerse myself in a community and company that I believe in, and where I can create positive change,” said Swaino. “I’m also looking for an opportunity to work with a close-knit community news team where I will be able to report on the stories that aren’t usually seen.”
During her time at WOUB, Swaino participated in the WOUB Job Connection Program, where media recruiters come to campus twice a year to interview WOUB students for full-time jobs and internships. She feels that she made great connections with the recruiters, and received valuable insight on the best way to market herself when she starts searching for a job. She is also thankful for the advice and resources that WOUB and its alumni provide.
“Our alumni network here is very strong!”
Swaino started anchoring WOUB TV’s nightly news program, NewsWatch, during her senior year. She learned about the opportunities to get involved at WOUB during a journalism class where students put on a daily news broadcast called Athens MidDay.
“Alongside a team of several other students, I produced daily newscasts that helped me gain valuable insight into the many roles involved in a broadcast media production,” she said. “That show further introduced me to some people at WOUB, which then led me to audition to anchor for NewsWatch.”
WOUB sent Swaino and many other students to the Spring 2024 College Media Association Convention in New York City over spring break.
“I was blessed to have grown as a journalist through this once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Swaino. “Networking with and learning from journalists and media professionals from all across the country was inspiring.”
While anchoring for NewsWatch has been one of her favorite parts of her time at Ohio University, Swaino has also been an active member of the Zeta Rho Chapter of Delta Gamma, living in her sorority house for two years as well as serving as President in 2022.
As she prepares for graduation and makes plans to forward in her journalism career, Swaino says she knows she is following the right career path.
“I believe it is a privilege to be entrusted with sharing someone’s story, and it is a greater privilege to be gifted the opportunity to share their story with the world.”