Derrik Lang
Senior Editor, American Way Magazine | Former Entertainment Reporter and Producer, the Associated Press
I love being able to write about extraordinary, creative and innovative individuals. I have a passion for storytelling, and I’m able to do that almost every day.
Tell us some of the most memorable people you’ve interviewed and events you’ve covered.
Some memorable interviews include Elton John, the Beach Boys and Snooki, and I’ve covered countless awards shows, including the Academy Awards, the Grammys and the Emmys.
You were very involved on campus as a student. What were some of your UWF activities?
I worked as an assistant in the student activities department, a resident advisor and director at Martin Hall, as well as serving as an editor of the student newspaper, The Voyager, and being involved in the Student Government Association. I was offered many opportunities at UWF that I likely wouldn’t have been given had I pursued an education somewhere else. These diverse experiences helped set me apart from the pack when it came to applying for important internships and fellowships.
How did you get started in the journalism field? What was the “tipping point” of your career?
I was awarded a UWF Alumni Association scholarship that enabled me to spend a semester interning in New York for Entertainment Weekly, through the American Society of Magazine Editors internship program. This opportunity laid the foundation for my career as a national entertainment journalist.