Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristina Meléndez.
Cristina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Caguas, Puerto Rico. Although Puerto Rico has my heart, Miami is my home; and it has been my home for 14 years. Growing up, I was always interested in art, music, dance, sports, fashion, and media. I was never quite good (nor liked) math in middle school, high school or even college… so, I decided to study Communications at Florida International University (#PantherPride). I had 6 internships all of which exposed me to different types of media such as digital media, video production, photography, graphic design, etc. All that artsy stuff – I was HERE for. It wasn’t until my senior year of college, that I realized I really enjoyed broadcast communication as well. Being a Digital Media major, the courses I took had a lot to do with social media marketing and theory, I would never be in front of a camera unless it was on Snapchat. My senior year of college, I tried out (for fun) for an anchor position for my capstone class. I got picked. Fast forward a couple months… I am now the traffic anchor for all of iHeart Radio’s main English and Spanish stations in Miami.
Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t been the smoothest road, especially when trying to work in media. It is extremely competitive, you’re going to get a lot of no’s before you get that one yes. The important thing is taking advantage of that “yes.” Bettering oneself by being curious, asking questions, getting help from people who have been in the industry, learning every single day. For young women who are just starting their journey… MAMA… I am right there with you. I live by Socrates’ quote: “All I know is that I know nothing.” I learn something every single day and it’s important to stay open-minded and eager to learn from all sorts of people and viewpoints.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am an On-Air traffic reporter for iHeart Media’s Miami stations some of which include Y100, 93.9, 94.9, 103.5 The Beat, Big 105.9, etc. I also report news and traffic for West Palm Beach, Jacksonville, and Orlando in English and Spanish. Additionally, I fill-in and report traffic for local tv-stations such as CBS and NBC 6. When reporting, I try to be as relatable as possible. Traffic isn’t fun, so it’s my job to make it a little more enjoyable for my listeners and get people to where they need to go.
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
Two books that I am currently obsessed with are “Lean in for Graduates” by Sheryl Sandburg and “You are a Badass” by Jen Sincero. Often times it can be difficult to challenge societal norms, especially in the workplace. As a young, woman of color, I am constantly trying to create an identity for myself at my job and making sure I am treated equally as my fellow coworkers. These two books have introduced me to similar experiences in the workforce and in life, which in turn, have aided me in the process of becoming more confident and overall kicking ass (figuratively, of course)!
Contact Info:
- Email: cmele021@gmail.com
- Instagram: cristinamelendezz
- Facebook: Cristina Melendez
- Twitter: TinaMelendezC
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
