Meet Tracy
Choosing a Different Path
When I was a little kid, I always thought I’d either go to Rice, where my mom went, or Texas A&M, where both my father and grandfather went, so when my college counselor suggested applying to UT Austin, I was hesitant but I thought I’d give it a chance. When my mom and I visited the campus after I got my acceptance letter, I just loved it. I just got this feeling like I belonged here. It was the best decision I ever made!
Huge Changes
Even though UT Austin was a huge change for me, (I was used to knowing all 65 girls in my graduating class, as opposed to thousands) I’ve met so many amazing people and had so many amazing opportunities.
Expect the Unexpected
Last year FOX News held its first broadcast news competition between hundreds of universities. Basically, teams of 2-4 people had to produce a three-minute news story on one of about 12 provided topics. It was pretty stressful, and we didn’t think we would win at all, but we figured it was worth a try. Three months later, I received a call from the head of the broadcast journalism department at UT asking if we had entered a story into FOX News. I said yes and he simply said, “Well, you won. You’re going to New York. You’re going to be on the “Dayside with Linda Vester” show. You’re splitting $10,000 and UT is getting $10,000.” My jaw just dropped. I couldn’t believe it. I immediately called my other teammates and we just screamed at each other over the phone. It was amazing!
Tracy’s advice on...
Time Management
I think it’s important to do well in school, be very involved while at school, but also to make time for fun with your friends! During my three and half years, I’ve learned you just have to plan ahead. I always write everything down and try to schedule the best time to work on my homework or hang out with my friends. The best way is to just focus on two or three important aspects of your life.
Living On or Off campus
This is my first year living off-campus because the past two years I lived in my sorority house actually located on campus. Living on campus freshman year was great. I had everything I needed within walking distance and I saved on parking money! I definitely recommend living on campus freshman year, if not even sophomore year as well. It’s just so convenient for your classes and it’s a great way to meet more people.
Choosing Organizations
Join two or three organizations, at least one that has to do with your major and a social one. Any organization that has to do with your major is the best way to start developing an industry network even before you graduate.
More about Tracy
Favorites
- Things about Austin: The green hills, the unique restaurants and the people
- Class: Broadcast Journalism Producing
- Study Location: (On-campus) The Texas Union, (Off-campus) Mozart’s Coffee
- Books: The DaVinci Code and Tuesdays with Morrie
Clubs & Organizations
- KVR News – News Director
- College of Communication Senior Fellows Honors Program
- Alpha Phi Sorority
- Order of Omega - Secretary
- Kappa Tau Alpha (Journalism Honor Society)
- National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Send Tracy an e-mail at TWatler@mail.utexas.edu.