Michelle DeVivo graduated from Southern in 2010 with a B.S. in Journalism. DeVivo is the marketing and communications coordinator at Shriners Children’s Boston. Previously, DeVivo worked as a producer in television news at 7 News WHDH Boston, News 8 WTNH New Haven, FOX 61 Hartford and Channel 3 Rocky Hill.
What was your experience in the SCSU Journalism Department like?
I loved everything about the journalism department at Southern, I thought it was amazing. When I graduated there were probably 12 people from the journalism department. It was very small and there’s probably two or three of us that actually specialize in TV news.
So I really like that compactness of it, because I really got to know my professors, I really got to know my classmates. You really got to know what people’s specialties were, what people wanted to do. The professors were also very approachable and wanted to see you shine.
What do you like about your current job?
Every day is different. That was one of the reasons why I decided to work where I currently work. One thing that I liked about working news was that every day was a new project and a new way to start something. Every day was a new project.
So, when I was looking to transition careers, what really caught my eye about working at Shriners was that every day was a new project, something that I was very used to doing.
I’ll write patients stories; I’ll interview certain families that are getting treatment for their children at the hospital and talk to them about cleft lip and palate, talk to them about different skin conditions they may be coming in for to get treated.
I’m also doing social media, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook. I really like it because it takes all of what I’ve learned at Southern, and then also the past 10 years that I’ve worked in TV news. I really like being able to still use those skills of planning and product management.
Do you have any advice for journalism students?
Don’t be afraid to pitch, no matter what role you are in the newsroom. Whether an intern, whether you’re an associate producer, whether you’re an editor or a reporter, don’t be afraid to pitch ideas.
The demographic is so big in Connecticut and around the world. We need to be able to cover every aspect of the community and have it really represented well.
Interview by Ali Fernand, SCSU JRN ‘24. Answers have been condensed and edited in 2023.