SJGC Grads Are Back

I always leave grads are back feeling a little more empowered. That’s one thing I love about my HBCU—success surrounds me.

Each year alumni of the School of Journalism and Graphic Communications, come back to speak on panels and connect with current students. This year, due to scheduling conflicts, I was only able to go to one panel, but it was packed with great information.

The title of the panel was “Countdown to deadline, "what it takes to make it in the newsroom and beyond.” Aiyana Ishmael, Editorial Assistant at Teen Vogue was one of the four panelists—the youngest.

Ishmael graduated in 2021, and she recounted how quickly her career took off after graduating. She highlighted the importance of knowing your worth and simply going after whatever you want in life.

Imposter syndrome seems to be a battle many soon-to-be-graduates face at the brink of entering the “real” world. For me, I think it’s important to look at the trajectory of others in my field, to find comfort in taking my next steps upon graduation.

Seeing the amount of success coming from my university only gives me hope for what’s next for me. We are our ancestor’s wildest dreams.