My mom often tells a story of me engaging in conversation with a stranger on the plane at the age of two. The stranger told my mom how impressed he was with my verbal skills at such a young age. “She loves to talk,” my mom replied then. “And still does,” she’ll say now to finish the story, looking at me with a grin.

It’s true. I always have, and probably always will, talk to just about anyone. But I don’t just like the sound of my own voice — believe me, it’s quite the opposite — what I love is engaging with and learning from others through conversation.

Throughout junior high and high school, I channeled my love for storytelling and people on the stage. I used not my own words, but a script to build a character and worked with my cast mates to create a show.

In college, I found community through volunteering at the writing center and with Best Buddies. I channeled my creative energy as the Best Buddies PR chair, starting the “Humans of Best Buddies” social media initiative to share Buddy pairings’ stories. 

In each of these environments, I built something that carried my voice, and those of others, even after my scripted exit. 

As a managing editor and writer, I continue to critically think through details and use my perspective to write service-oriented stories. I work with other teams to consider the value my story brings to the site and the reader. I appreciate how this collaboration offers new perspectives and pushes me to learn. Additionally, I’m continually asking myself, and others, questions that lead me to the answers that cultivate a story.

In the NYU classroom, I observe my professors and apply their expertise to my assignments and apply new skills to become a better asset to my Pocket-lint team, where I now serve part-time as a weekend editor.

Wherever my career takes me, I’m looking forward to continuing to ask questions, engage in conversation, and share stories.