5 Questions: Meet Ad and Journalism Major Ella Durchin

As managing editor of FLUX and director of Ascend magazine, Ella Durchin advises students to sign up, work hard and prove you’re prepared.

by Maya McLeroy, class of ’26

To showcase students making waves in Allen Hall, Maya McLeroy interviews seniors who are doing cool things. Recently, she talked to advertising and journalism major Ella Durchin, who is managing editor of student-run FLUX magazine and director of the new Ascend student sports magazine. This article was originally published in the Oregon Journalism Update newsletter. It has been edited for length.

portrait of Ella Durchin
Ella Durchin, a fourth-year journalism and advertising major, advises students to sign up for everything to get the most out of their time at the SOJC. Photo courtesy of Ella Durchin.

1. How did you know that journalism was the path for you?

I had a teacher in high school tell me that I was a good writer, but beyond that, I didn't really know how to make that my career. When I came to the UO School of Journalism and Communication, I had no clue what I was doing. I randomly decided to enroll in a journalism class, and then I took J100 (now JCOM 101), and I thought that all of the people who were coming in to talk about their careers were badass. I was inspired by people creating really good work that they truly cared about, and I knew that I didn't want to do something that was going to be the same every single day. I wanted to do something that allowed me to interact with people. I took a shot and kept going with it, and I ended up realizing that was the best decision I could have made.

2. What's been your favorite class you've taken at the SOJC?

I really liked Profiles and Narratives with Ivan Miller. I spent my first two years learning news writing, which taught me valuable skills, but I knew I wanted to write and learn more about people. The class Profiles and Narratives allowed me to get creative and think about stories differently. It also introduced me to Ivan, who introduced me to Ascend, a student sports magazine that Ivan oversees.

3. What have you learned from working as a managing editor of FLUX and director of Ascend magazine?

Three students pose in a column
Fourth-year journalism and advertising major Ella Durchin, bottom, is the director of the new student sports magazine Ascend. She works with Ruby Wool, middle, and Brianna Carrasquilla, Ascend editors-in-chief. Photo by Lucas Carroll. 

I feel like during my first three years at college I hadn't found my passion or drive. I was just doing the school stuff to do the school stuff, but I knew I wanted more. And I discovered my passion and drive in these two magazines. When I first took on these leadership roles, I felt so much imposter syndrome. I had never worked on a magazine before, and honestly, I wasn't sure if people would trust me. But they did, and it has taught me so much. I'm learning how to be patient, how to be inspired by everyone I work with and how I must work hard not just for myself but for others who are relying on me. I think that's the most beautiful part of it all: Everyone is doing it together, nobody is on their own. We're all here to build this thing.

4. Where do you see your passions for journalism and advertising intersecting?

Since I like meeting new people, I soon learned I also wanted to work for people. I signed up for my first-ever advertising class, and I ended up falling in love with it. It was Creative Strategy with David Ewald, and it was a class where I felt I could think outside the box and be celebrated for it. In order to graduate early with a double major, I took 26 credits over the summer, and every single term I piled up my plate with more classes, and it was the most rewarding thing in the world. I'm grateful I've been able to get close with my professors in both journalism and advertising. The combination of the two makes my brain think in a million different ways.

Ella Durchin poses with a black lab puppy with Autzen Stadium in the background
Ella Durchin, a fourth-year journalism and advertising major, poses in front of Autzen Stadium with her roommate’s dog, Benny. Photo courtesy of Ella Durchin.

5. What advice do you have for students beginning their journalism journey here?

Even if you don't think you’re capable, sign up for it all. Do it all and don't let yourself feel like you're not prepared to do something. Sign up, work hard and prove that you're prepared to do whatever you dream of doing. Demonstrate who you want to be and where you want to be through what you create.

To follow Ella's work, connect with her on LinkedIn.

Maya McLeroy is a third-year journalism and creative writing major. She is a copy editor and writer at Ascend magazine and an editor/writer for the Oregon Journalism Update newsletter. After graduating, she hopes to earn an MFA in creative writing.