Angie Carchesi, a UW-Whitewater senior communication and electronic media student, is a highly decorated student within the Whitewater media programs. While her works from today get recognized nationally, it all started back at home with a big imagination.
“When I was in elementary school, my sister and I shared an iPad,” said Carchesi. “I would always be using it, making videos. I would make everyone in my family be in my videos. I once made a 45-minute long reenactment of ‘Dance Moms’ because I was obsessed with dance as a kid. It truly was a one-woman show. I was the director, I was the editor, I was Abby Lee Miller, I was the entire cast.”
The Franklin native took four years of video production classes in high school, originally taking them for fun before realizing that video and audio production was a passion.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without my high school video production teacher,” said Carchesi. “She really started my foundation of knowledge for everything that I do now. I learned all of the basics from her, and I’ve been able to refine those skills in college. I was able to walk in with my foot already in the door and some skills under my belt when I came here. So, she really taught me a lot.”
That start with a foot in the door already has been a great aid for her. During Carchesi’s four years at Whitewater, she has won four awards from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association and the Wisconsin Community Media for her work on UWW-TV and the UW-W radio station, 91.7 The Edge WSUW. This past October, Carchesi earned a second place award in the “Best Feature News Reporting” category from the College Broadcasters, Inc., for her audio story, “On Campus Music Composer.”
Carchesi is currently the student supervisor of technology for UWW-TV and the promotions director for 91.7 The Edge. Besides the two organizations, Carchesi works in the University Center graphics and marketing department as a videographer.
“My bosses inspire me,” said Carchesi. “All three of them have helped me a lot when it comes to furthering all of my skills in this field and they’re always willing to help me. They want to see me succeed, and I don’t think I would be anywhere near where I am today without their support, help and encouragement. I’ve gotten really lucky with all of the faculty support I’ve received these past four years.”
Her involvement with these media stations has been vital to her success, of course her motivation to take advantage of all opportunities possible have put her in the great place she is. She volunteered her first semester to work for UWW-TV and was given the opportunity to be the news update anchor. She later became an employee at the TV station and also got involved with the radio and her position at the UC.
For Carchesi and many other UW-W seniors, commencement is right around the corner. After graduation they take on the massive task of creating their careers in the professional world. For Carchesi, that means looking to the world of electronic media even further.
“I don’t plan on going to graduate school at the moment,” said Carchesi. “Obviously, things can change in the future but I don’t think that’s in the cards for me. I know right after I graduate, I would like to get a job in a field related to electronic media. Maybe being a video producer for some sort of company working in corporate video, or maybe being on a creative services team for a news station and producing commercials for them.”
While Carchesi’s career is still in the making, the soon-to-be UW-Whitewater alumna is paving the way for her future by doing what she loves every single day.
