About me
My name is Catherine Ballenger, and I am a sophomore at UNC-Chapel Hill and an assured admit to the Hussman School of Journalism and Media. I’m from Chapel Hill, born and raised just a few miles from campus. My connections to UNC run deep, both of my parents attended Carolina, and even my grandmother is a Tar Heel alum.
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From a young age, I’ve been drawn to creativity and storytelling. I’ve loved art and design for as long as I can remember, sketching characters, making paintings, even designing posters for fun. In high school, I led both the Art Club and the Poetry Club, helping create expressive spaces for students to share their work and ideas. This continued into college and I am now minoring in Creative Writing concentrating in Poetry. Looking back, I think those interests naturally led me to journalism, and more specifically, to a future in media and advertising.
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I chose the Media and Journalism major because it’s the perfect combination of visual design, communication, and culture. My dream is to work in marketing, branding, or advertising where I can use creative storytelling to help people, causes, or businesses connect with the world. I love thinking strategically about how to get a message across in the most engaging and effective way possible. Whether it’s in the form of a video, a brand campaign, or a digital experience, I want to be part of making something that feels both beautiful and impactful.
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When I’m not studying or working you can probably find me writing, drawing, or outdoors. I love the lake and the beach, and I’ve been water skiing for years. My brother and I grew up learning when our parents took us to the lake which is something I am very thankful for. I also enjoy playing tennis, weightlifting, cooking, playing video games, and of course, spending time with my friends.
One of my long-term goals is to work in advertising or design for a company that allows me to use creativity to make an impact. Since I've always been drawn to the more expressive and artistic side of life, I want to stay true to that as I move through life. I think there’s a lot of power in combining personal experience with something that you are passionate about, and I hope to do that as a future advertising and marketing professional.