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

I grew up outside of Philadelphia but was born in London. Before starting at Annenberg, I was an undergraduate at the University of Oxford, where I studied law. While at Oxford, I worked as a reporter and editor for the student newspaper and freelanced for a nonprofit, criminal justice newspaper based in D.C. I moved straight from the U.K. to Los Angeles after my law finals and was so glad to hit the ground running at Annenberg. 

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

When I was researching journalism graduate schools, USC was always on my radar. Once I was accepted and spoke with some of Annenberg’s incredible faculty, I knew that there was nowhere else I’d rather study journalism. Annenberg prioritizes learning by doing, all while under the supervision of inspiring, caring and expert professors (who double as editors). I was blown away by the resources students have access to at Annenberg. Whether it’s as a reporter in the media center or as a student in one of the many courses on offer, I knew that I would be able to structure my degree to best suit my journalistic interests (investigative, foreign, political and environmental reporting, to name a few). The size of the MS cohort was also ideal; it’s big enough that there is no shortage of interesting people to meet and small enough that you’ll get to know other students and professors very well. Most importantly, Annenberg is full of people who love what they do. This was clear long before I stepped foot on campus. 

What have you enjoyed the most about the degree program?

While the MS degree program is only one year long, my time at Annenberg has already been one of the most important periods of my life. This program has challenged me and forced me to grow in more ways than I could have imagined back in June. Made possible by Annenberg’s incredible resources, I’ve been able to pursue ambitious, meaningful stories that have taken me far beyond USC’s campus. But my favorite thing about the program has to be working with my fellow students, who have become very close friends of mine. While I am always learning from my professors, I can confidently say that I’m learning just as much from my classmates. I feel so lucky to get to study journalism in such a supportive environment, where my classmates take a genuine interest in my work, as I do in theirs. At Annenberg, you will learn the skills you need to be a fervent reporter and an adept multimedia journalist. You will also learn how to be a thoughtful colleague. At the end of the day, Annenberg is full of people who love hearing and telling stories. There will always be someone who is happy to hop in a car with you and travel out into the city for a protest, press conference or interview. Meeting friends who share that passion is an unmatchable feeling