Since age nine, I have been making short films. What started as fun projects with friends, fortunately, turned into a career path. My first project was with one of my childhood best friends. We spent hours writing scripts, using Photo Booth to film, and editing on iMovie to create 15-minute episodes that poked fun at television shows aimed toward preschool and kindergarten children. My ability to generate ideas, collaborate, and be detail-oriented started at a young age.

As my middle and high school schedule became increasingly hectic, I only had time to produce short films for class assignments. However, when I received video assignments, I felt ecstatic, throwing my heart and soul into them. I spent countless weekends on iMovie, trying my best to edit the videos I filmed on my rudimentary 2010 Canon PowerShot SD1400 IS. Fortunately, in high school, I had the opportunity to take film/photography courses. I had an opportunity to make projects such as a short horror film and a 25-minute documentary-style video that intertwined poems and journal entries I wrote in high school during my free time.

Although I felt delighted editing short films, I did not think it was a viable career option. I had never met anyone in the entertainment industry. So, during my first year at the University of Pittsburgh, in 2016, I chose to study psychology and creatively express myself outside the classroom. During my first year at university, I was a photographer (and occasional videographer) for my university’s school newspaper. I also wrote for a magazine and helped manage my sorority’s social media platforms. I enjoyed the work experience, but I still felt dissatisfied. By the end of my first year, I switched my major to media and professional communications. But I was unsure of which direction to pursue within the major.

On December 19, 2017, as a second-year student, I had an epiphany in the audience of a Seth Meyers monologue rehearsal. Are you wondering how I ended up at his monologue rehearsal? I will summarize the extraordinary day.

The day before going to Meyers’ monologue rehearsal, two high school friends and I decided to take a quick trip to Manhattan to visit our other friend who attended Barnard. The following day, while my friend was studying for finals, we decided to check out 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Within minutes of browsing the plaza’s gift shop, we received tickets from a page to see Seth Meyers’ monologue rehearsal. The voyage to Studio 8G from the ground floor was entertaining. I enjoyed seeing the “behind-the-scenes” work. And after Meyers’ monologue, his team members announced they would do a full rehearsal of the show- a rare occurrence. I observed every part of the room, noticing cameramen practicing their camera movements, production assistants talking with producers and helping out in any way possible, writers taking notes near the stage, and the band practicing. As rehearsal continued, it hit me, like a ton of bricks, that I could go into production and post-production work. For the first time, I knew exactly what I wanted to do after graduation. It was also a moment where I realized that my passion could also be my career. As we left 30 Rock, opening the doors to brisk, chilly New York wind, I began to tear up. As I waited in line at the BoltBus station to return home, I felt an unprecedented level of confidence regarding my future.

Since December 19, 2017, I have worked arduously to become a well-rounded video creator. And in April 2020, I graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in media and professional communications (digital media path,) a minor in Spanish, and a certificate in digital media.