Natasha pairs her writing skills with her desire to make a difference.
Why did you decide to pursue your major?
I have always loved writing; it’s something that I take the most pride in. My mom is a writer, and she's inspired me in that aspect. I grew up reading a lot, and my mom always encouraged me to write and express my creativity. I’ve also always known that I wanted my career to allow me to make a positive difference in the world. Journalism combines these two aspects perfectly and, ever since I’ve started studying it, I’ve loved it and couldn’t imagine going into a different field.
What has been your favorite part of your experience at the Hubbard School?
My favorite part of being at Hubbard is the supportive community. Everyone that I’ve met at Hubbard has been supportive, specifically my professors and peers. Every professor has been devoted to helping their students grow, fostering a really great environment in class. Most of them have worked in the industry, so they do a phenomenal job at preparing students on what they should expect and how to handle it. My peers have also been very supportive, and I know I can always rely on them.
Which course or professor would you recommend for other students in your major?
I would recommend taking Magazine and Feature Writing with Gayle Golden. She is a phenomenal professor and is truly devoted to helping you learn, grow and succeed. She encourages you to be the best writer and reporter that you can be and helps you navigate how to do it. Not only have I become a better writer because of this, but I have also become more confident in myself and my abilities.
What minors, internships, or activities are you pursuing outside of your major? How do you think these enhance your major and/or your future career plans?
Outside of my majors, I write for Golden Magazine, I’m the Director of Communication for the CLA Office of Student Experiences, and I recently started at the Minnesota Daily. I’m also part of the CLA Student Board, and I'm a Hubbard student ambassador. All of these experiences, journalism-related or not, have enhanced my career plans in unexpected ways. I’ve gotten out of my comfort zone, broken out of my shell and became more confident in myself and my abilities. All of these experiences have also fostered my love for new experiences and meeting new people, which I hope to experience more while traveling after I graduate.
What advice do you have for future Hubbard School students?
My advice would be to take advantage of everything that is offered to you at Hubbard. There are so many courses that cover almost every aspect of the journalism field, so take time to explore them and see what you enjoy the most. There are also plenty of resources available to you, including networking opportunities, career coaching, resume reviews/tailoring, and plenty more. Overall, Hubbard does so much to help students be successful and gain the skills needed to succeed post-graduation, so definitely utilize them while you’re here.
What is one aspect of your major that has surprised you?
One aspect that surprised me was how quickly I learned skills that I’ve had little-to-no experience with. Sometimes, going into courses can be daunting when you don’t know what you’re doing, but the professors design the courses in a way that is easily digestible and promotes growth. Specifically, I was surprised by how easily I was able to learn multimedia skills. At the beginning of the semester, I had no idea how to create anything visually since writing was always my focus, but now at the end of the course, I am pleasantly surprised with the level of skill I’ve gained since then.
What do you wish you had known about your career path before now?
I wish I knew how important networking and internships are. I overlooked all the networking opportunities at first, but I wish I had taken advantage of them early on when I was still figuring out my area of interest. Networking doesn’t need to be as daunting as people make it out to be. Simply having a conversation with a professional can help you navigate your own journey and understand future career options.
