Written by: Sophia Benavente-Sayani, Cisneros Scholar ‘27
After a long day at school, when most children would eagerly turn on the television to watch an episode of their favorite show, Marianna Sotomayor switched the channel to the news.
She began to consider journalism as a career at the age of 13. Like most teenage girls, Marianna was into boy bands. Watching interviews of her idols on the red carpet inspired her dream to one day interview them herself. Yet, the memories of her grandparents reading the newspaper and watching presidential debates with her parents continued to fuel her interest in politics. Encouraged by her family, Marianna decided to study political journalism at The George Washington University.
Now a Congressional reporter for the Washington Post, Marianna covers a range of stories in the House of Representatives, especially those impacting the Hispanic community.
A turning point in her career came during the 2020 elections when she noticed a lack of comprehensive coverage of Hispanic issues while covering then-candidate Joe Biden’s presidential campaign at NBC News. Recognizing the importance of delving into the intricacies of the Hispanic community, Marianna shifted her focus to highlighting them. Today, issues like the ongoing border security negotiations along with the increasing presence of Hispanic lawmakers, motivates her to use her voice as a Hispanic journalist.
Marianna credits her success in journalism in part to her background as a dancer. Dance was her first passion in life as her parents took her to dance classes since she was a young girl. She learned how to dance by observing her instructors, a lesson she applies to journalism by observing her mentors. Early in her career, Marianna paid attention to all the details, including the kinds of questions her mentors were asking. She was not simply mimicking these mentors, but rather embracing their style as she developed her own. Observation also becomes vital when covering lawmakers, as it can reveal when someone is feeling upset, feeling good, or feeling accomplished. These are the details that add richness to stories, just as the slightest arm movement or foot placement can entirely change a dance.
In college, Marianna found a sense of belonging among fellow Peruvian Floridians and other Latinas on campus. As a first-generation American, she lacked the same connections as her peers; there were no journalists in her family living in the United States. But she found a familia, a community where she could speak Spanish and feel at home.
For students considering a career in journalism, Marianna has a message for them: you are going to be okay, and you will surprise yourself. She emphasizes with students feeling overwhelmed with how many internships and job offers their peers receive. But reassures them that they will forge their own path. Journalism is a small world, she shared, with many of the people Marianna has spoken to being friends with her for years.
Sophia Benavente-Sayani is a Cisneros Scholar majoring in Political Science and History. Sophia's views are her own and not necessarily reflective of the Cisneros Institute.