This is the Story of a Girl

Alyssa, 21. Wagner College Class of 2014. Aspiring journalist and world traveler. I hate labels. I'm a Pittsburgh girl at heart, living it up in NYC for school. Get to know me!

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Twas the night before election night...

Twas the night before election night…

I won’t be the one to lecture you about which candidate to vote for. At this point in the game, you know exactly who you’re voting for, or whether you’re deciding to vote at all. I know our voting system isn’t perfect, but don’t let it discourage you. Take the time this election day to cast your vote for the candidate that YOU choose…the candidate that best aligns with your values and what you…

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A $15 minimum wage? Not so fast

A $15 minimum wage? Not so fast

Supporters for a $15 minimum wage in the U.S. are on the rise, and it has been a big issue debated between Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton. She recently switched her stance on the issue, supporting the idea that a gradual national increase to a $12 minimum wage (similar to a proposed gradual increase to $15 an hour in New York City, and then for the rest of…

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Where did the time go!?

Where did the time go!?

This year has flown by and I can’t believe that we are less than one week away from 2016. The holidays were here and gone before I knew it. Unfortunately, I had to work Thanksgiving and Christmas this year (just a part of working at a newspaper I suppose), but I am still fortunate that I was able to spend time with my family and my boyfriend Cesar.

The weather has been crazy lately here in…

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A busy October!

We’re a week into October, which is one of my favorite months of the year (in my favorite season of the year!) and a lot is happening in my life! Aside from plenty of fall festivities and trying out new pumpkin recipes, I’ve added more to my plate, figuratively speaking! While I love my free time during the day since I work evenings at the newspaper, I was looking for some fun, meaningful ways to…

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Happy September! (And happy pumpkin season!)

Happy September! (And happy pumpkin season!)

Despite the hot temperatures, we are in fact in the month of September and are quickly approaching the fall. The month began with a flow of emails with pumpkin-themed recipes, and Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts kicking off the season as they do best — with pumpkin flavored coffee.  I, for one, love pumpkin-flavored-everything season, though I am worried my attempts of eating healthier and losing…

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Motivation, routine, and a new work space!

In the past few weeks, there have been a lot of changes going on in my life, all of them positive! This week, my office moved to a brand new building in the city’s North Shore and, while the area is still developing and we are greatly missing our coffee shops and favorite places to eat, the change is for the better. The old newspaper building was far too large for the size of the staff, which has…

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A year in the post-grad life: My advice to graduating college seniors

A year ago today, I was two weeks away from walking across the stage at Wagner College’s commencement ceremony. Classes were over, I had finished presenting my senior Spanish thesis and had only a few days left of my Century 21 communications internship. My last semester at Wagner was coming to an end, and I had very mixed emotions about graduating. I was just ready to be done with school work…

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Spring is in the air!

Which, of course, means that summer is right around the corner. Other than being excited for warm, sunny weather, I am also ready for some spring resolutions to help me transition into the summer. I have been thinking a lot lately about small areas for improvement in both my professional and personal life, so I decided to come up with some spring resolutions! Here’s what I came up with. (more…)

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Revisiting who I am, and why I'm blogging

I decided to enroll in two free, online blogging courses in hopes of some inspiration and motivation to blog again. I didn’t pick the best timing since I got a new apartment in January and haven’t figured out WiFi yet…but, I figured I’d still take a shot at it. The first topic is to introduce myself to the world. I have been blogging for about two years, so this isn’t my first introduction on my…

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A Modern View on Lent

Confused on where you stand with Lent? Here's a modern view on Lent and faith to keep up with your busy life

Lent has been a continuous debate among Catholics, Christians, and even families for years. My own family has multiple views on the traditions of not eating meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent. My Catholic grandmother always followed the rule. It was a rule I was taught in Sunday School and was heavily enforced in the church and by my grandmother. For my mother, a Protestant, the only…

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From Pittsburgh to New York City...and now back to Pittsburgh

From Pittsburgh to New York City...and now back to Pittsburgh. Read more about my journey from NYC to Pittsburgh.

I am moving back home to Pittsburgh next month, after a four-and-a half year adventure in New York City. I believe that this is the best move for me right now. Pittsburgh is known for being the “most livable” city, which is much more appealing than New York, which is becoming less and less affordable. I am hoping to gain job experience in Pittsburgh that can lead me to better opportunities later…

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Intolerance - Do you think before you speak?

Intolerance – Do you think before you speak?

Alyssa Brown:

Read my latest post about intolerance

Originally posted on Alyssa M. Brown:

Despite America’s reputation for being a “melting pot”of cultures, not every American — or college student — lives up to this reputation. Intolerance is a recurring theme in America. Historically, we have “overcome” intolerances based on race, religion, and gender. Laws were created to make racism and…

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Intolerance - Do you think before you speak?

Intolerance – Do you think before you speak?

Despite America’s reputation for being a “melting pot”of cultures, not every American — or college student — lives up to this reputation. Intolerance is a recurring theme in America. Historically, we have “overcome” intolerances based on race, religion, and gender. Laws were created to make racism and sexism illegal. And yet, these intolerances, among many others, continue to remain prevalent in…

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The chaos of senior year

The chaos of senior year

The end is near. I can see it now, graduation day, only a month away. But the distance in time between now and then feels like forever.

I often feel an overwhelming feeling of panic and anxiety. The number of papers and assignments to complete before graduation feels unreal and everything is creeping up on me. I just want it all to be over…to be able to feel a sense of relief and excitement to…

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GIFs that describe how you feel before graduating college

GIFs that describe how you feel before graduating college

Now that my last semester of college is nearly over, I have been experiencing a large mixture of emotions. Graduation means many things: new beginnings, leaving behind friends and memories, being a “real” person…and generally freaking out about life. Here are some GIFs that describe the emotional roller coaster we all experience before graduation.

At first, you are super excited that the end is…

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How to be a good leader (without being “bossy”)

How to be a good leader (without being “bossy”)

Finally, society’s instinct to call females “bossy” is being questioned, and hopefully stopped. Through a collaboration by Lean In‘s Sheryl Sandberg and the Girl Scouts of America, the new “Ban Bossy” campaignquestions why it is that girls and women are always being called “bossy,” a title that can hinder leadership skills, especially in young girls. When society automatically puts this label on…

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One Word of Advice: Tenacity

One Word of Advice: Tenacity

Throughout the semester, I have listened to a few very empowering speeches and presentations. But, after hearing numerous life stories, career paths and pieces of advice, there is one word to sum up what I have learned: tenacity.

Tenacity is a word I never heard before. What did they mean when they said, “You need to have tenacity,” and how was I going to get some? Of course, I did what any…

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