Interview is edited for length and clarity.
What drew you to the study of communications and photography?
I first went to college with an interest in psychology. I was on the path to becoming a psychology major until I took a photography class as a first-year student, and I fell in love with the world of visual arts. I decided to double major in communications and studio art because I saw both disciplines constantly intersecting in the work I produced.
I have always loved writing, art, and movies, so my coursework at Simmons encompassed all of those interests. The things I already loved were organized in an academic way under the umbrella of communications and showed me how I can use my skills and talent in a professional setting.
What impact did attending a women-centered institution have on your education?
I love this question because I feel like it makes all the difference for students. When I reflect on my time at Simmons, I see a significant difference between myself as a first-year student and when I graduated years later.
In high school, I never raised my hand or wanted to participate in anything because I didn't feel confident in my ideas or what I had to say. What was special about Simmons was that every classroom felt empowering. Simmons felt like a safe space to start exploring and sharing my own ideas without fear of judgment. I saw firsthand the support students received in a women-centered setting, and in many ways, also a queer-centered space.
Did you have any internships? What was that like?
During my time at Simmons, I worked as a production assistant at Harvard Athletics. At the end of my senior year, I accepted a full-time internship there for my first post-grad year. The position allowed me to hone my skills in all aspects of production, both live and edited. It was an amazing learning opportunity, and I still work there part-time.
I am not a huge sports fan on my own, but it is exciting to be in a control room and be surrounded by other media professionals. The high-energy live environment always feels chaotic, but in the best way. Some of my responsibilities during my internship included creating short-form content and making weekly highlight reels, as well as prepping on-air graphics and technical set-ups for live productions. At Harvard, we broadcast 40 out of 42 of our varsity sports. I have directed and produced over 100 broadcasts during my time at Harvard, with even more under my belt as a member of the crew.
During my time there, I have honed my live production skills in the control room as well as developed an understanding of what kind of preparation and dedication must go into making a program like this happen. I have grown so much as a media professional and am forever grateful for the opportunities, challenges, and confidence this position has given me.
What was your favorite course at Simmons?
A course that surprised me was “Media and the First Amendment.” I took it because I needed a 300-level communications course to finish my degree requirements. It was one of the most fascinating classes I had ever taken.
After taking the course, I considered becoming an entertainment lawyer, which I may explore later in life. I’d like to have a career in media first, which is what I am pursuing now.
As the class’s name suggests, we took a deep dive into the laws surrounding communications and the media, which was difficult. That class had the toughest exams I had ever taken while in college, but I walked away with so much knowledge by the end of it.
What is your current role?
I just began this position as a marketing and community outreach associate for a local chiropractor in Beacon Hill. I run their marketing department and handle all of their community outreach. We partner with local law firms, gyms, and businesses to perform posture screenings and luncheon events to interest people in learning more about chiropractic care.
It is different from the work I do with Harvard Athletics, since this feels like the convergence between healthcare and communications. It is my job to find those partners, communicate with them, and set up and execute events. I also manage all of their social media accounts, and I am in the process of helping them rebrand.
What advice would you give someone interested in studying photography or communications?
My first thought is very practical, and that is to save all of your work. Save it into a personal drive because you never know when you will be applying to a job and it requires a writing sample or a photography sample. Your work may seem very specific to your coursework, but make sure to save it, just in case.
I would also advise all students to value the work they are producing as students. It may feel small or insignificant because it is only for one class or one grade, but it is something that took time and effort to make. I want students to know that the time they put into school is not just for a grade, but that they are actually creating work that is meaningful and important and deserves to be saved.
I recognize, as a recent graduate, that it is hard to get a job right now. It is easy to be discouraged by that prospect; however, struggling can be a good thing, too, as odd as that may sound. Struggling forces you to hustle and make your own way, which is more valuable than anything else. Keep at it even though it's hard.
I was deep in the job search, and I had moments where I thought I should have gone into something more lucrative or stable, but I am so glad that I am doing the work that I love. If your heart is pulling you toward a career, you need to listen to it because having passion behind your work gives you purpose and leads you to opportunities that positively challenge you.