Where are you from and what were you doing before enrolling in graduate school?

I'm originally from Rosendale, New York, a small town 90 miles north of New York City. I’ve previously lived in Baltimore, Maryland; Frisco, Colorado; and San Francisco, California.

How did you learn of the degree program and why did you choose USC Annenberg?

While researching master’s programs in journalism, I was already aware of USC Annenberg’s strong reputation. Having chosen to pursue my Masters degree with prior industry experience, it was important to me that I would be challenged at a high level. I chose USC Annenberg for its focus on real-world reporting and industry-leading faculty. I was also attracted to the program’s intensive one-year format, its location in the diverse and culturally rich Los Angeles, and the small Specialized Journalism cohort.

What have you enjoyed the most about the degree program?

I’ve especially enjoyed the program’s flexibility, which has allowed me to personalize my experience and report on beats and mediums that interest me. I’ve also appreciated the detailed feedback from the excellent faculty, who all have extensive real-world experience in the journalism industry. Finally, I’ve enjoyed the variety of hands-on, in-person reporting experiences.