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

I’m originally from Chicago, IL, and I did my undergrad at New York University, majoring in pop culture criticism. Prior to attending Annenberg, I was working for several years as an executive creative director at a marketing agency here in Los Angeles. Before that, I worked on several different types of creative and journalistic projects, including a documentary project and co-hosting a podcast. 

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

Since graduating from NYU, I always knew it was a possibility that I would go back to graduate school for journalism. I can’t exactly pinpoint how I learned of the degree program, I just knew that there were only a handful of journalism programs in the country that were well-respected and Annenberg was one of them. When I decided to go back to school, I worked hard to narrow my focus and decide what I wanted out of graduate school. I landed on a short list of requirements; located in a top news market, focused on connecting students with mentors and outside resources, an emphasis on broadcast news and multimedia journalism, and an abundance of opportunities to get my work published. Annenberg checked all of these boxes and I knew that the specialized journalism program was going to be a great fit for me. 

What have you enjoyed the most about the degree program?

The Annenberg media center is a huge part of my experience. Upon leaving this program, I hope to get an on-camera position as a reporter or an anchor. Annenberg TV News has given me the opportunity to practice my reporting skills on a weekly basis through our nightly live news show. The fast-paced environment coupled with the expert faculty leadership makes you feel like you are in a professional newsroom, not a student-run organization. I’ve been able to build a video reel that I am proud to show potential employers. I'm leaving this program feeling very prepared and excited for a career in news!