Profile story

Profile Story on Claudia Siu
1/23/10
Masc. 303
By Ryan Stone
Claudia Siu came to Virginia Commonwealth University for the Columbia Scholastic awards when she was in high school and while at the campus she realized that it was where she wanted to attend college.
Siu is in her junior year as a broadcast journalism major at VCU. She is also double majoring in political science. She is however considering changing her major to print journalism because she is camera shy and she thinks a print journalism degree may look better on a degree.
The reason Siu decided to attend VCU was because when she was in high school she wrote for her school news magazine and they attended the campus for various conventions. She attended the Columbia Scholastic awards and many journalism related lectures at VCU. When she visited for these events she fell in love with the school and knew this was where she wanted to be.
“I like the diversity of people and the diversity of interests,” said Siu. I also really love Richmond. I think it's often ignored in a national scale, but it’s a very culturally rich and unique city. There's always something to do,” said Siu.
When Siu finishes school, she wants to go into broadcast as a reporter; however she wants to end up being an editor for a TV news station. She would also like to work as a cameraman for a TV news station. Her ultimate goal is to be an editor for a Spanish news station. She would also like to continue her education if circumstances allow.
Siu chose to double major in political science because she is interested in politics, and may one day pursue a career in political science.
“I think it's essential for anybody to understand the political system,” she said. Most of anything I enjoy the theoretical side of politics. I like learning about the different ways people choose (or don't) to be ruled.” Siu said.
“Growing up in Honduras allowed me to see the way a developing nation deals with their citizenry,” Siu continued. The government of Honduras is rather corrupt. I guess I like the combination of the reporting aspect of journalism and the understanding aspect of political science.”
Siu’s roommate and friend, Lianna Davies, thinks that Claudia has made the right career choice.
“When she told me this idea, I was impressed and excited for her,” she said. “It’s perfect for her. This career choice mixes all her interests in one: video editing, Spanish and politics.”
Siu was born and raised in Honduras. She then moved to the U.S. when she was 15 and lived with her mom in northern Virginia. Siu began attending VCU right after she finished high school in northern Virginia. Siu came to VCU as public relations major at first, but then decided that broadcast journalism was a better choice.
However, Siu does still miss her home country of Honduras. Her dad and brother still live there, along with many of the people she grew up with. She also misses her countries food and its people. The reason why she moved to the U.S. is because the opportunities here are much better for her. She would like to possibly return to Honduras to work as a journalist.
One of the reasons she wants to deliver Spanish news is because of her home country. She feels like she can understand the targeted audience. Siu would also like to report about things that occur in her home region and country. She also would like to report to the U.S. from whatever destination she is working for. However, Siu is not just limiting herself to Spanish networks, and says she would be happy to work with any news station.