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

I was born and raised in Hangzhou, China. It is a beautiful city and definitely worth a visit if you ever get the chance. I completed my bachelor’s degree in sport administration at Pepperdine University and minored in marketing. 

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

First of all, USC has an excellent reputation in the United States, and Annenberg is considered the top communication program in the country. The strength of the school’s reputation definitely played a major role when I was applying for graduate programs. Another important reason is that I wanted to bring together my undergraduate background in sport with my graduate focus on digital media. Los Angeles is the perfect place for this combination. The city has a strong sports culture and a thriving digital media environment, which gives me many opportunities to grow in both areas. 

What have you enjoyed the most about the degree program? 

The DSM program has definitely opened many doors for me by connecting me with great people, including my professors and classmates. They are very supportive, and I have learned a lot from them. Also, the courses in the program have real-world applications across a variety of fields. They provide extensive hands-on experience and give me the opportunity to explore many different aspects of digital media, including content creation, integrated marketing, paid advertising, and more.