Emily Chung

Career Trajectory: From Campus Storyteller to Cultural Chronicler

Emily Chung has carved a niche as a perceptive observer of collegiate life, blending personal narrative with incisive reporting on student experiences. Her work at The Huntington News, Northeastern University’s independent student-run publication, showcases a commitment to documenting the rhythms of campus culture while mentoring emerging writers as a copy editor.

Key Articles and Impactful Reporting

• "In my second year of college, I became addicted to hosting dinner parties"

This introspective column dissects the social dynamics of college life through the lens of communal dining. Chung analyzes how shared meals became a mechanism for building connections during her New York co-op, weaving anthropological insights with self-deprecating humor about failed risotto attempts. The piece resonated widely for its authentic portrayal of Gen-Z social rituals.

• "Survivor: Northeastern allows students to participate in challenges, foster alliances and more"

Chung’s coverage of this campus reality TV adaptation demonstrates her ability to elevate niche student activities into cultural commentary. The article traces how the competition reflects broader trends in collaborative learning and leadership development, featuring interviews with participants and organizers about strategy sessions held in dorm common areas.

• "There’s nothing quite like sitting in a cute coffee shop and romanticizing life"

This lifestyle piece deconstructs the aesthetics of productivity culture through Boston’s third-wave coffee scene. Chung juxtaposes interviews with baristas against student testimonials about using café environments as motivational tools, critiquing the commodification of "vibes" while acknowledging their psychological value.

Beat Analysis and Pitching Recommendations

1. Campus Microcultures

Chung consistently explores how student communities self-organize around shared interests, from a cappella groups to activist coalitions. Pitches should highlight unconventional student initiatives with strong visual storytelling potential, like her profile of a student-run coffee shop that doubled as a poetry venue. Avoid generic academic achievement stories.

2. Generational Identity Formation

Her work frequently examines how Gen-Z navigates adulthood through collegiate milestones. Successful pitches might explore themes like redefining networking through TikTok or the resurgence of analog hobbies among digital natives. Reference her dinner party column’s analysis of offline social bonding.

3. Institutional Critique Through Student Lens

While maintaining an upbeat tone, Chung’s reporting often questions university policies through student experiences. Pitches about housing challenges or curriculum reforms should center firsthand student narratives rather than administrative perspectives, mirroring her approach to covering campus COVID-19 policies.

Awards and Recognition

"Chung’s voice captures the beautiful chaos of figuring out adulthood in lecture halls and dining halls alike." – The Huntington News Editorial Board, 2024

As copy editor, Chung spearheaded the paper’s 2024 redesign emphasizing multimedia storytelling, earning recognition from the New England Student Press Association for Best Layout Design. Her mentorship of first-year reporters has been cited in three acceptance speeches for campus journalism awards since 2023.