riley's portfolio !
riley's portfolio !
EXPERIENCE!
Riley graduated from the University of South Florida (St. Petersburg, FL) with a B.A. in Digital Communications and Multimedia Journalism, with a minor in English Literature.
Creative Loafing Tampa Bay
august - december 2024
at Creative Loading Tampa Bay, a free weekly publication that has served the Tampa Bay area in Florida for over 30 years, Riley was an editoral intern. She produced content for the publication by interviewing and doing research on local events to be able to write about events happening in the community. She was an integral part of a team that published between 50-60 new URLs a week.
"Issa vibe" featured story in CL Tampa's Music print section of their Sept. 26, 2024 issue.
"Paying bills" a breaking story on the University of South Florida's mishandling of Hurricane Milton. Featured in the "News+Views" physical section of CL Tampa's Oct. 24, 2024 issue.
click to read
WhyNot
march 2024 - march 2025
Starting as a contributer writing about third spaces, Riley joined the WhyNot team officially as a creative resident in May 2024, where she was part of the third cohort for their Creative Resident program. She published pieces bi-monthly focusing on social issues in internet culture and our worldwide community. She met bi-weekly remotely with the Australian-based editorial team to go over pitches, article feedback and to discuss collaboration between herself and other members of the program.
The Crow's Nest Newspaper
january - december 2024
at The Crow's Nest, the award-winning USF St. Petersburg Student Newspaper, Riley was the News Editor. She focued on publishing articles involving USF and St. Petersburg area, like news, events, student life and other topics. Her team met weekly for pitch, production and editorial meetings in the on-campus newsroom.
A "man on the street" style interview promoting Riley's story for the Crow's Nest about student political involvement leading up to the 2024 Presidental Election.
Center for Ocean Mapping and Innovative Technology
january - may 2024
a the NOAA-funded program at USF working to assess and integrate innovative ocean and coastal mapping technologies, Riley was a science communication intern, part of their High-Tech Corridor Internship program. She assisted in website curation and feedback for their organization, and created a long-form documentative article, published on USF Newsroom, about the experiences of interns, and the COMIT team, as they conducted a scientific cruise out in the Gulf of Mexico.
Her Campus Magazine
january 2023 - may 2024
at Her Campus Magazine, the leading media platform dedicated to empowering college women, founded by college women, Riley was a staff writer. She wrote between 1-3 pieces weekly about culture, books, films and music, as well as, articles about the college experience and local events. Various pieces created for Her Campus have been featured in video essays by creators on YouTube.
YouTube video essay by Adam Neely with almost 2 Million views, featuring Riley's Her Campus article "Laufey is saving jazz and introducing it to a new generation." Her article is featured alongside stories from Rolling Stone Magazine, Pitchfork, NME, DIY Magazine, Washington Square News, and more.
riley's portfolio !
FEATURED WORK!
While Riley has over 50 published full-length articles, here are some of her favorites she has written. She has experience with wordpress, microsoft 365, adobe suite, readymag, and carrd.
Review: In Miami, crowds sing through a downpour, at the final rain show of Taylor Swift’s ‘Eras’ Tour
published with Creative Loafing Tampa Bay
“Fashioned with armbands of friendship bracelets and the number “13” drawn on hands, hardcore Swifties, and more casual listeners, readied themselves for Taylor Swift’s final night in Miami, and her final night in Florida for the Eras Tour. In the year since the Eras’ Tour began in March 2023, Swift has visited five continents, released three more albums, gained a Super Bowl-winning boyfriend and had multiple of her openers explode in popularity.”
read more....
Photo by Creative Loafing photojournalist, Dave Decker.
USF to offer housing credits to St. Pete students forced to live in on-campus shelter after Hurricane Milton
published with Creative Loafing Tampa Bay
“After taking a week off to close for Hurricane Milton, the University of South Florida (USF) reopened all its campuses Tuesday, with a mix of in-person and remote classes. But at the USF St. Pete campus only two of three residence halls reopened: Ibis and Osprey. Pelican Apartments (often referred to as “RHO”), are still closed—with residents being offered shelter in an on-campus ballroom."
read more....
Photo by Crow's Nest sports editor and photographer, Kendall Bulkiewicz.
St. Pete is not just fighting back against banned books next week, but all year long
published with The Crow's Nest Newspaper
“Banned Books Week 2024 kicks off from Sept. 22 to 28, with students and St. Petersburg locals gearing up for a week-long stand against censorship. The week aims to highlight the growing national debate over free access to literature and the pushback against efforts to restrict certain titles from libraries and schools."
read more....
Photo by Riley Benson.
Tampa's Symphonic Distribution stages Vibes by the Bay
published with Creative Loafing Tampa Bay
“The Tampa Bay area has a heavy music scene and a strong community of independent musicians and artists, ranging from singer-songwriters to flamboyant rising indie-punk rock stars. From a wide variety of venues and festivals, Tampa Bay has long celebrated music and its culture."
read more....
Photo by Creative Loafing photojournalist, Dave Decker.
riley's portfolio !
ABOUT ME!
Outside of her writing, Riley loves to encourage people to get an AMC stubs membership, collect PopMart blind boxes and talk about her current hyperfixations. She doesn't go anywhere without a Baggu bag and her Kindle.
Want me to write for you? Inquire below!