Turn Your Classwork into a Connection
June 15, 2009
Chelsea at the 2009 Matrix Awards
As a New York Women in Communications Foundation scholarship winner, I scored some great opportunities, like appearing on the Today Show and attending the annual Matrix Awards. But that’s not even the best part. NYWICI also helped me with my homework! I was so inspired by the core values of NYWICI, that I decided to focus my senior high school journalism class capstone project on women in communications.
It quickly became much more than just another school project. I started by making a (very long) list of women I wanted to research. And with the help of my journalism teacher, we contacted a few potential sources. I was thrilled when all of the women actually responded and were willing to speak with me.
I set up four phone interviews: Jenna Tyre, the director of brand strategy and promotion for NBC Entertainment; Dana Marciniak, the corporate communications manager for New Era Cap Co.; Michelle Cumbo, a senior producer for CNN’s American Morning; and Susan Linney, the research chief at Lucky magazine. But the networking didn’t end when I hung up the phone. Because I was going to be in New York City for the Matrix Awards, I arranged to meet the Susan Linney and Michelle Cumbo in person!
This project taught me an important lesson: A little creative thinking can go a long way. If you’re a student, try thinking about your class projects as opportunities, not burdens. Make your schoolwork work for you. You never know when you’ll make a valuable connection.
~Chelsea Orcutt, Syracuse University ‘13
