Grady Ambassadors

Grady Newsource is an experience I will forever be grateful for, giving me invaluable real-world newsroom experience and challenging me to grow as a journalist. I will always cherish the opportunities, lessons, and memories that prepared me for a career in the industry.

My favorite Grady College class to date has been Reporting III with Dr. Duck. Dr. Duck shows us new and creative ways to share the news every day, and I have learned that journalism does not have to follow as many rigid rules as I originally thought.

My favorite Grady College experience was the Entertainment Careers Netowrking Night because I was able to make connections with Grady students and the alumni. It opened my eyes to different careers I can have within the industry and I got some great advice from some of the alumni.

My favorite Grady experience was the opportunity to visit The Coca-Cola Company’s world headquarters in Atlanta with Talking Dog and the ADPR department. Coca-Cola was incredibly hospitable, and engaging with Grady alumni at Coke, while witnessing their work, gave me a renewed sense of pride in both the college and the programs I am part of.

Brand Storytelling was my favorite class because it was my first time taking a campaign from initial concept all the way to the final presentation. Getting to print our campaign booklet and physically hold the result of our hard work was an unbeatable feeling.

Between the students, faculty, staff, and alumni, Grady is made up of so many special people. Each student/instructor I have the chance to work with reminds me how important it is to be surrounded with people who are both fun and hardworking in any workplace environment. Grady not only provides valuable industry knowledge and meaningful connections, but also plenty of resources in terms of alumni relations, networking, and post-grad pursuits. It is amazing to be a part of such a passionate community of creatives!

The thing that makes Grady College so special is the people! From the staff to the students, Grady’s culture really makes it feel like a family. I think Grady is so special because we’re getting great experience and opportunities, but also doing it in an atmosphere that is fun. All the professors are passionate about what they teach and the students are excited to be there!

I love the transitory state of EMST as both a film school major and a media major, taking the best parts of both to create an atmosphere that is both intense on technical skills but also substantive with theory or historical context. The unique setup creates a student environment that fosters collaboration versus competition and community versus creative difference.

Grady College is so special because of its infectious, invigorating energy. After any Grady class, event, guest lecture or meeting, I leave with the upmost amount of excitement and readiness to tackle this industry following graduation.

“My favorite Grady College class to date is Reporting I with Prof. Hudson because that class was one of my first exposures to what it meant to be a journalist. I gained inspiration from that class that I plan to keep with me not just throughout my remaining time in Grady but through the rest of my journalism career.”

I have been involved with Women in Media since my sophomore year, and it is the organization that has contributed the most to my professional and personal growth. The women are strong and driven, professionals come to share their wisdom, and I feel incredibly lucky to be president of an organization that has such a strong and meaningful mission empower young women through their career aspirations.

The National Association of Black Journalists means so much to me because it was the first space that I got involved in at Grady. With the help of NABJ and through serving on the executive board, I have gained lifelong friendships, extraordinary mentors, experiences, and feel confident that all I have learned will prepare me for the next steps forward in my career after college.

My favorite Grady College experience had to be the ADPR Japan Study Abroad. Traveling to Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto allowed me to experience a new culture while gaining a deeper understanding of global advertising and public relations. Visiting companies and seeing how communication practices differ across cultures helped me connect what I have learned in the classroom to real-world experiences. Most importantly, the program pushed me outside of my comfort zone and gave me memories and perspectives that I will carry with me throughout my academic and professional journey.

May favorite Grady memory is covering March Madness. I had the blessing of being stuck in a car with Carlo Finlay for nine hours driving to Baton Rouge and was able to publish six bylined articles for USA Today. It was a real taste of what tournament coverage is like and I absolutely loved it.

My favorite Grady College experience has been being a McGill Fellow. It was a great opportunity to work alongside other students to explore the meaning of courage and collaborate on a presentation that could be shared with the Grady community.

The thing I appreciate the most about Grady College is that the faculty are not only experts in their field, but they are also extremely supportive of students.

My favorite class hands down is Prof J. He’s honestly one of the sweetest professors I’ve ever had, and he makes every student feel seen while still pushing us to do our best. He really represents the best part of Grady. He’s not just a great teacher; he’s a mentor. Prof J shares real world experiences from PR and his own life in a way that makes the class feel refreshing and honest. He’s always so kind, but he also makes the work challenging enough that you actually learn something real, not just surface level stuff.

My favorite class to date was definitely Production Capstone. I loved this class because I got the chance to have complete creative freedom and collaborate with many other talented peers to bring our different visions to life.