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

I am from a lot of different places. I am half Persian and half Vietnamese. I mostly consider myself to be from Livermore, in the east San Francisco Bay Area; however, I have moved around a lot. I spent about five years living overseas in Saudi Arabia and then another three years living in New Jersey, where I attended boarding school. 

Prior to enrolling in graduate school, I was completing my bachelor’s degree at the University of San Diego where I majored in communication studies and double minored in marketing and education. Throughout my undergraduate career I had the privilege of being an associate event planner and helped plan extravagant weddings around the Bay Area. 

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

I love the discipline of communication. There wasn’t a single communication class in my undergraduate career that I didn’t enjoy. I know this sounds cliche and nerdy, but I was genuinely so excited to attend my communication classes at USD. While I loved learning about all things communication, I also had a deep interest in education and the world of academia. I thought I was equipped with all the important communication skills, but just needed to learn more about being an educator. So, I applied to several teaching degree programs, including one at USC Rossier. When my professors found out that I wasn’t continuing my communication education in graduate school, they were quick to persuade me otherwise. They pushed me to consider programs that would challenge me further in the communication discipline. 

Naturally, USC Annenberg was my number one choice. It was a program that I knew would challenge me intellectually. It was also a program that I knew would allow me to pursue a future career in almost any field. I loved how broad and ambiguous the degree “communication management” was. You aren’t confined to working in one specific career after graduating from the degree program. The degree equips you with knowledge you can use and apply to any field, including education. 

What have you enjoyed the most about the degree program?

Imagine taking a class where you lose track of time. Imagine being surrounded by brilliant students who are excited to learn and a professor who makes every class feel new and exciting in a different way, every single week. That is what it is like to be a student in Annenberg’s communication management program. There is a special energy in the classroom that I think is really unique to this degree program. Students are deeply engaged and will excitedly listen to professors’ lecturing, even if class runs a few minutes over. I think that says a lot about this program. People are happy to be in the classroom, not because they have to but because they care and genuinely love to learn. 

My classes are hands down my absolute favorite part about this degree program. The professors are deeply passionate about teaching, and they find ways to connect with and inspire students who all have different interests and are pursuing different career paths. I wish every student had the privilege of being part of this degree program.