Years attended Franciscan: 2010-2014
Majors: Communications Art (Journalism) Minor: Political Science
Positions with the Troubadour: Editor-in-Chief 2013-2014, Web Editor Spring 2013, Austria Correspondent Fall 2012, Layout Editor Spring 2011, Staff Writer.
Sisson knew she wanted to be a journalist since she was in high school, but the bug grew stronger once she got to Franciscan University and became involved in The Troubadour. She took on multiple positions throughout her four years until her senior year when she served as Editor-in-Chief.
“The fact that I got to do that, in addition to the (journalism) classes I took at Franciscan was very exciting to me,” said Sisson.
She now works as a town news multimedia journalist for the Hartford Courant in Connecticut, the oldest newspaper in the United States. Sisson credits her hands-on experience with the Troubadour as what helped make her the writer she is today.
“The Troub really laid the foundation for my future career in journalism,” said Sisson.
Her first year at The Troubadour prepared her for the semester in which she participated in the Washington Journalism Center where she interned for the Washington Times. After returning from D.C. she continued her work for The Troubadour, writing during her semester in Austria and returning to campus and working as Web Editor.
As Editor-in-Chief, Sisson expanded The Troubadour’s digital presence by starting its Instagram page, and revamped the web page, making it more up to date and welcoming.
“Franciscan and Dr. Lewis were really good about making sure everybody in the journalism program was prepared,” said Sisson, “but a lot of times, people don’t realize that to get a job in journalism, you need to have a portfolio documenting that you know what you’re doing … so I had all my clips from the Troubadour as well as my internships.”
Sisson said not only was The Troubadour helpful for her future career as a journalist but also made for great college memories with The Troubadour staff.
Sisson said some of her favorite memories were working on layout for the Troubadour.
“We had a lot of fun,” said Sisson, “I think I missed (Monday night) household commitment every other week, (but) it made up for being in the office with some really cool people.”
“Some of the people who I’ve met through The Troubadour are still contacts if I need something,” said Sisson. “Those connections wouldn’t have been possible without The Troub.”