At first, I just wanted to write. Then I learned to use cameras, lights, editing software, and wanted to be a docummentary filmmaker. I also spent some time doing news photography.
A few years later, I spent the fall shadowing a news producer. That same year, I put my camera down for a while to produce the Spanish language newscast of my school. It wasn't until my Senior year in college that I fell for data. Now I spend hours cleaning data and visualizing it.
I have tried almost evert corner of the jornalism field. And I love it.
MERCY BENZAQUEN
155 Claremont Avenue New York, NY, 10027
(814) 441-8242 | mercybenzaquen@gmail.com
EDUCATION
Columbia University, New York
Post-Bac Certificate in Data Journalism
Expected Dec 2016
- Relevant Coursework: Storytelling with Data, Data and Databases, Statistical Reasoning, GIS for mapping
Emerson College, Boston
Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Communication Sciences and Disorders
Sept 2012 - May 2016
- Summa Cum Laude
- Honors: EVVY Award for Outstanding News Program, George Esper International Award for 2016 for work covering Latin American issues, Gold Key Honor Society for 2016
International Film School of Paris, Paris
Certificate in Film Directing
Sept 2011 - July 2012
WORK EXPERIENCE
Noticiero WEBN, Emerson College, Boston
Producer
Sept 2015 - May 2016
- Led a team of 12 journalim undergraduates in the production of a weekly 30-min Spanish TV newscast
- Prepared and implemented writing and diction workshops for tram members to strengthen journalist skills
- Produced the first Spanish news show that received an EVVY award for coverage of Paris attacks
National Association of Hispanic Journalists at Emerson, Emerson College, Boston
Social Media Manager
Sept 2015 - May 2016
- Managed Twitter and Facebook accounts to promote NAHJ events and offer a news feed for a Hispanic audience
- Organized on-campus events, including movie screenings and student discussions
Telemundo 51- NBC 6, Miramar, Florida
Assignment Desk Intern
May - July 2015
- Pitched story ideas at daily editorial meetings
- Collaborated with producers and reporters in the production of two daily newscasts
- Monitored web, police scanners, and phones for breaking news and communicated with city information officers when news broke
Univision Nueva Inglaterra, Needham, Massachusetts
Production Intern
Sept - Dec 2014
- Assisted production team in researching, script writing, interviewing, and video editing
- Operated teleprompter
The Boston Herald, Boston
Video Department Intern
May - July 2014
- Conducted interviews, recorded and edited video packages for the Web
- Monitored YouTube visits and social media activity surrounding the outlet's videos
SKILLS
- Languages Spanish (native speakers)
- Technical Skills Adobe Photoshops, Illustrator, Final Cut Pro 7 and X, Microsoft Office, Dalet, ENPS, Audacity, Open Refine, Python 3, SQL, Tableau, Carto, QGIS, D3