Women in Media (WIM) is a new student organization focused on expanding skills and fortifying the journalism and digital media community at UTEP. WIM also wishes to help aspiring women in media fields gain experience and prepare them for success for when they enter the real world.
The organization is co-founded by Fatima Alvarado, Itzel Giron, Annabella Mireles and Meagan Garcia. With guidance from Women’s and Gender Studies Professor Erin Coulehan, WIM provides a space for members to expand their knowledge, skills and professional portfolio for future jobs.
WIM hosted its first meeting on Sept. 3, welcoming members with icebreaker activities, hand made friendship bracelets and a presentation. The organization looks to help female students succeed in a male dominated field and give confidence to those improving their professional skills.
WIM Advisor Erin Coulehan shares the importance of organizations like this at UTEP.
“It’s incredibly important to develop a strong network of colleagues and peers in media, while also gaining practical experience that includes developing entrepreneurial skills, teamwork, and opportunities to learn from and teach others,” said Coulehan.
Co-founder Annabella Mireles talks about the inspiration for staring WIM, “the four of us have been friends for quite some time,” said Mireles “We [co-founders] were saying how we missed being part of media, and so we had the idea of creating an organization geared towards empowering women and helping women expand their portfolios.”
“We want to tell women that you can do it, you can make it in a male dominated field, you are going to excel and break down stigma,” said Mireles.
Coulehan believes that organizations like WIM help create a sense of community and prepare students for the workforce through skill development while encouraging creative freedom.
“Although members come from different backgrounds, majors, and experiences, they each share an appetite for adventure and expression,” said Coulehan.
As an advisor, Coulehan shares her experiences and advice to aspiring members and women in the journalism and media fields, talking about the importance of networking and using available resources for professional growth.
“We prioritize organization, meeting deadlines, event schedules, and maintaining high operational standards,” said Coulehan.
Coulehan shares her goals and admiration for the organization, alluding to the dedication of its members and founders, commenting on how rewarding her role as an advisor is “Seeing such advanced and enthusiastic story ideas, organization, and passion from members is very special to me.”
WIM hosts meetings every Tuesday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Student Union Building. For more information, look for Women In Media on MineTracker.
Frida Acuna is the arts & culture editor and may be reached at [email protected]
