On Tuesday morning, I received a message from my internship coordinator at amNY stating that one of the journalists I work with was attacked by ICE agents at an immigration center in Manhattan. I couldn’t move from the shock.
For over a decade I worked in restaurant kitchens, where I learned what it means to not have a voice, to not be able to fight for justice. That’s what brought me back to school, to learn how to write in English properly and get a degree.
I started my college education in 2022, at age 26. As a Writing and Literature student at Borough of Manhattan Community College, trying to find what I was passionate about, I enrolled in a Foundations of Journalism course with Professor Syreeta McFadden. Her teaching and passion for journalism sparked my interest.
When I transferred to Hunter College in the fall of 2024, I was still an English major, feeling a little lost about what exactly to do. By the end of that semester, I decided to change my major to journalism, thanks to the encouragement of Professor Coralie Carlson. She recognized my passion for writing, and encouraged me to look for internships, talk with people and make connections.
Following Professor Carlson’s advice, I found the CUNY Inclusive Economy, or CIE, program, which helps students in the Film and Media Studies department find internships. I spent this summer in one-on-one meetings with Tara Chiari, the CIE academic advisor. She helped me step by step with my resume, guided me on how to use my experience to make it relatable to the journalism field, and gave me the opportunity to present a solid resume to various companies.
I am now 29, finally about to finish school after an 8-year pause following high school. During those eight years, I worked only in kitchens. I am also a non-native English speaker and an immigrant, and when I started at CUNY, I didn’t even know how to write an essay. Every single sentence I wrote was the product of hours of struggle and learning. Thanks to the professors I’ve met in the three years since I started at CUNY, and to the CIE program, I have a chance to pursue my dream.
Nothing is impossible; you just have to keep pushing and putting yourself out there. The only way to success is to keep trying. Talk to your professors, ask if they know someone else you can talk to, connect with people on LinkedIn, apply to your school newspaper or your local newspaper.
In these times of crisis, when our own government is attacking journalists, our voices are needed more than ever. We have to share the stories that are often overlooked. It’s the only way we can continue as a free society. I am proof that it’s never too late to be part of that effort. I cannot give up.
