Career Roadmap
Aaricka 's work combines: Education, Journalism, and Communicating / Sharing Stories
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Ben Davis High School
Bachelor's Degree
Journalism
Indiana University-Bloomington
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors:
Bachelor's Degree: Journalism
Bachelor's Degree: International Relations and Affairs
Bachelor's Degree: Urban Education and Leadership
Bachelor's Degree: Political Science and Government, General
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
I applied to University of Southern California - my dream school. I also halfheartedly applied to most Indiana public schools. I really wanted to get out of Indiana, despite being a Scholar.
2.
I got rejected from USC. I decided to major in Telecommunications at Indiana University in Bloomington.
3.
Right after I talked to my general admissions adviser, I learned that IU had a journalism school. I decided to major in journalism at the former School of Journalism - now called the Media School.
4.
I wrote over 60 articles for the Indiana Daily Student regarding higher education policy, culture and diversity issues. I even received a couple awards from my stories!
5.
I traveled all over the country and the world as an IU student. To be specific: Memphis, New Orleans, Chicago, Newark, New York City, Beijing (China) and Rwanda!
6.
I shot documentaries and photographs for the Books & Beyond Project - an IU organization that connects college students to Newark high school students to write stories for students in Rwanda, Africa!
7.
During the first semester of my senior year of college, I got accepted into the Teach for America program in Houston, Texas! I taught in Houston for nearly 3 years. I loved my professional experience.
8.
This year, I became an AmeriCorps VISTA at the Commission. In fall 2018, I will use all of my experiences, knowledge-base and skills as a graduate student in order to become an education reporter.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Parents:
Maybe you should think about going to this college instead of this one. Maybe you should do this job instead of that job because it's not lucrative. What makes you think you're good enough? Maybe you are reaching too high?
How I responded:
I decided to follow my own pathway instead of what other people wanted me to do. I broke barriers and moved into uncharted territory in my community and in my family.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I have very similar experiences to First-Generation College Students. I didn't have a very solid support system within my family that was advocating for me to seek higher education. Not many of my family members have ever been to college.