Journalism has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. It stemmed from my fascination of the mere execution of relaying information to the masses, the storytelling that came from the anchors on the six PM news I watched every day growing up. I eventually developed a parallel appreciation for reading the news in print, and in my early formative years of high school, I began to understand just how powerful journalists are as the true gatekeepers of information. Although I have always had an affinity for broadcast journalism, in high school I combined my love for writing and enthusiasm for news and began contributing to the school paper, a small but significant endeavor that has led me to the place I now call home: USC Annenberg.
In a field so fast-paced and enterprising as journalism, it is not only a good idea to learn about it in various settings - it is almost essential. In the two years I have been involved with the journalism curriculum and extracurricular programs at USC Annenberg, I have learned that there is truly no other professional field like it. There is no such thing as a typical classroom experience, daily homework or a regular schedule of work, simply because the field of journalism demands a different learning curve. We cannot control what happens on a daily basis; we can only control how we relay these events to the public, something that essentially requires a different approach and style of execution every time. Journalism is irregular. Journalism is exciting. Perhaps what I love most about journalism, though, is how there is no formula to it.
I am a born and bred Los Angeles native, often referred to as an ABC because of my Chinese heritage. Los Angeles is a great place to call home, but after graduation I plan to move to the other coast to live in New York City because it fosters the fast-paced lifestyle I crave to have in my career. I am pursuing a BA degree in Broadcast and Digital Journalism as well as a minor in Entrepreneurship. Although hard news and music journalism particularly appeal to me, I hope to obtain firsthand experience in all realms and perhaps pioneer a business of my own someday, inside or outside of the world of journalism. My ultimate aspiration is to work in the field of network or long-form news as either a correspondent or producer. Aside from journalism, I enjoy the realms of music, yoga, baking and interior design, and I have always wanted to manifest my interest in any of these fields into creating a business centered on one (or more!) someday. Currently, I am most interested in combining my journalism skillset with my passion for and knowledge of music and music theory into creating my own periodical or online publication featuring different insights into the music industry.
I am also exploring the domain of entrepreneurship because I believe possessing a business sense will remain extremely practical and valuable in spite of living in a world that is constantly on the brink of new policy and innovation. This summer, I have been working in two different startups in which I utilize skills I have acquired in journalism and marketing thus far and apply them in various contexts, whether it be composing press releases to network with hundreds of customers and publications or designing social media campaigns to promote the businesses and engage with consumers on a large yet personal level.
Journalism is the lifeblood of society; it keeps us informed, connected and enlightened. Furthermore, it has the power to persuade, influence and even change opinions on not only local and seemingly trivial subjects but also on large-scale issues through creating global awareness and sparking global discussions, all of which are possible by virtual means. Journalism and technology have worked hand-in-hand to not only transcend all borders but more importantly assert their place as the most prominent and integrated lifeline of society. In my career, I would like to continue examining the dialogue and understanding the way in which different parties around the world stay informed, with the goal of ensuring that the accessibility of news and information to all becomes a constant for generations to come.