Growing up, I had no idea what college entailed.
As a first-generation college student, college readiness was something I had to consistently search for myself. I learned about the different types, what each school was known for, what I could possibly study. And yet the process and connection seemed distant, and since neither of my Spanish-speaking immigrant parents could really guide me on the process, it was an uphill battle to gain an understanding of what opportunities awaited for me.
And while I learned a lot about the technical aspects, I knew I wanted college to be a place for me to learn more about myself and use my passions as a way to help the communities I am a part of. As a Latinx student from South Sacramento, CA, I loved volunteering at non-profit organizations as a way to uplift my local community and help out in whatever way possible. I also loved to write.
So I combined both of those passions into a form of public service: journalism.
There were only a handful of colleges that touched on things that I loved, but USC perfectly interlaced every aspect of creativity, passion, public service and inner-growth that I was looking for in a university. With the addition of a journalism program that touched on various writing styles and community engagement values, I saw myself thriving in such an innovative space.
It made the transition to college a lot less daunting, especially since moving to college was the first time I’d ever been away from home. Additionally, as a first-gen student, I was consistently plagued with impostor syndrome and whether I belonged at Annenberg.
But, what makes Annenberg unique, is how even though there is a lot for you to be involved in, the atmosphere is not overwhelming. You’ll be able to find something you enjoy and feel like you are a part of something, which is essential in college as you’re learning more about yourself and the world around you.
And there is always something to learn at Annenberg, and that is one of the reasons why it is so one-of-a-kind. Even though you come into the school thinking you like certain things, soon you’ll end up expanding your repertoire of knowledge and interests.
From the Adobe certification classes in the Digital Lounge, to guest speakers, to classes that get you to think in creative ways. I didn’t know how to code until I took a class at Annenberg, nor did I expect to come away seriously loving data organization. Now I’m learning magazine production and learning how to write film criticism with the L.A. Times’ film critic as my professor.
When choosing between Annenberg and other schools, I wanted to make sure I picked a place that embraced everything I had to throw at it, a place that wasn’t afraid of change and where discussions could freely take place. Although Annenberg offers amazing opportunities, it all comes down to where you feel at home, even outside of academic settings.
Annenberg felt like it could offer me that and more, and to this day I am glad I made this choice.
I never expected myself to learn so much in such a short amount of time (especially as someone who didn’t know anything about journalism, and now I’m going to intern at the L.A. Times), and I’m immensely grateful not only for the opportunities the school has gifted me but with the community I found within it.
