Growing up in a home with two classical pianists for parents makes it tough not to follow suit—at least initially. Much of my childhood was spent juggling soccer, piano and school. I was not extraordinary with regard to the first two disciplines, but I pursued them throughout my grade school and high school careers anyway.
When it came time to apply to colleges, I knew some soccer, piano and chemistry. So, naturally, I applied most everywhere as a “poet.” I did it in part because I didn’t know what I wanted to major in, but also because I had developed a bad habit of writing poems in my chemistry class instead of taking notes. The result was acceptance to USC with an undeclared major and a piano minor.
Although my parents hadn’t forced this trajectory on me, it did feel like I was following in footsteps that weren’t necessarily for me. The piano minor didn’t feel like it was truly who I was or wanted to be. So I resolved to explore my interests in poetry and writing. I asked a friend what he thought I should do, and he told me to join the school newspaper.
I like to think I did one better. I declared my major as creative writing and joined the staff of the Daily Trojan. I view both moves as the two most important things I’ve done at USC. By declaring my major as creative writing I’ve had the chance to hone my craft with some of the greatest professional authors and poets in the country, such as David St. John, Susan McCabe, Aimee Bender, Dana Johnson and T.C. Boyle.
Writing workshops coupled with active involvement in the Daily Trojan—where I would progress through the ranks from staff writer to editor-in-chief—pushed me to fall deeper in love with all things writing. As of now, I’m working as a digital intern for NBC4, where I pen and report articles for the news outfit’s Los Angeles-centric website.
I am also working on a screenplay and novel—I am consistently editing or writing a personal passion project in my free time. I plan on always moonlighting as a writer when I’m not busy in a newsroom, and after taking a couple years to work after graduation, I plan on pursuing a master’s degree in fiction writing. In May I will graduate from USC with a bachelor’s degree in English, as well as minors in musical and cinematic studies.
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