Here at VALLEY, we have the best and upcoming minds in the communications industry. Our magazine is much more than a magazine — it is a lifestyle. Creatives interested in business, editorial, advertising, design and more come together as one. This is the way it’s been since VALLEY’s birth in 2007. It is crucial to recognize the members who came before us and the amazing work they did.
Now, let’s get to the good stuff. The first edition (of this series, hopefully) is dedicated to Sylvie August, who left her mark on the editorial team.
Career And Background
Sylvie graduated from Penn State in the spring of 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in digital and print journalism. She now works as the copywriter and social media manager of Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University. VALLEY, in addition to her internships, helped prepare her for her career.
She joined the magazine as a web writer, then became a print writer soon after. Sylvie produced articles for six print issues. In addition to web and print, Sylvie worked as the self-improvement section editor. Her final position was copy editor, where she fixed AP Style, grammar and spelling errors for print.
Favorite Print Article
Sylvie produced an article for issue 33 titled “Brain Bubble Bath.” In the article, she explains that exercise, in addition to being good for your body, has strong benefits for your brain. “Brain Bubble Bath” introduced the idea that exercise can help clear your mind.
“Exercise is really beneficial for your brain. It can keep you sharp and smart. [The article] was about how exercise basically boosts your cognitive function,” says Sylvie.
She’s always had an interest in how our brains work. This article was a way for her to further research the topic and educate the VALLEY audience. She referenced a TED talk by neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki titled “The brain-changing effects of exercise.”
Sylvie’s article was mainly research-based. She explained that when she wrote it, she focused on the quotes first and then built the article’s body. This is a process that the editorial staff often uses. It puts more emphasis on the nature and voice of the interviewee.
VALLEY Forever
In the three and a half years that Sylvie was at VALLEY, she grew as a writer, an editor and a leader. She shined as a copyeditor, with her natural skill to fix writing errors emerging. Turning these talents into her career, Sylvie continues to make her VALLEY family proud.
“Working on VALLEY is a huge part of my resume even two years post-grad. It’s because it’s in leadership, management experience, editing experience and writing experience. It has a lot to offer anyone, not just for people in journalism,” says Sylvie.
We at VALLEY, and especially those in editorial, hope she continues to write forever. She has a voice that is uniquely her own. Even if you aren’t a neurological fan, check out “Brain Bubble Bath” and all her other articles — you won’t regret it.
Who do you want to see on the next Best of VALLEY edition? Let us know @VALLEYmag on Instagram!
