One Year, Many Stories: My Journey as a Graduate Student at Newhouse

When I first stepped into the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, I knew I was in for an intense sprint. In only 12 months, the magazine, news and digital journalism (MND) program promised rigor, creativity and real-world experience – which it delivered on all counts. What I didn’t anticipate was how much this single year would reshape my understanding of media, sharpen my skills and help me grow not just as a critical thinker but as a collaborator.  

As I reflect on my year at Newhouse, here are three key takeaways from my time at this school: 

1. HUNT for those opportunities! 

Newhouse has a lot to offer in terms of career growth, but one of the biggest takeaways was learning that not every opportunity will be advertised or served to you in a silver spoon.  

From day one of “bootcamp” – an intensive six-week summer session – we were thrown into a pool of activities, event coverage, media training, writing and networking. Choosing the opportunities that aligned with my long-term goals proved daunting at first, but talking to professors and Newhouse alumni made it a lot easier. As my time at Newhouse draws to a close, I am proud to say I have interned with the SXSW festival and newsrooms like Syracuse.com and NYUp.com; experienced being a research assistant for spaces like CODE^SHIFT; and launched my own startup, Aqua9. None of these opportunities would have been possible if I hadn’t gone hunting for them. 

2. Master skills beyond your major 

In today’s media world, being a one-trick pony doesn’t cut it. My professors were future-oriented and emphasized the importance of being fluent in up-and-coming digital platforms. Even though MND focuses on mainly writing, I know much more than just that – from utilizing the newest audio and video editing tools and creating data visualizations to designing interactive web features and front-end web development, I can do it all.  

On the writing front, I have also learned how to adapt my style for different formats, including social media and newsletters, and to think visually as much as textually. Hands-on experiences with my professors in collaborative settings have taught me how to pitch, produce and polish stories across mediums. 

3. Build a personal brand 

One of the best parts of Newhouse was how much it prepared me for the professional landscape. From building a portfolio to learning how to market myself to the media world, I began seeing myself and my voice as a brand.  

Faculty mentors and visiting professionals offered resume feedback, networking tips and insights and connections into the job market. I attended industry talks, career fairs and connected with alumni who had once stood where I did. And in all those instances, I learned that having a personal brand matters and it makes much more impact than I initially imagined. 

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My time at Newhouse was brief, but nothing short of transformative. It taught me how to report with heart, adapt with agility and connect with intention. I leave this school not only with industry-grade clips and skills, but with a deep belief in the power of media to shape the world.