Teena's Advice Sloane-Hendricks’ advice for current and future grad students is to start working on your masters before you start your program. Sloane-Hendricks hopes to be able to continue to work with the Civic Media program.
Read Teena's full story here: Teena Sloane-Hendricks ’20 Continues Legacy at Columbia With Her Children
Kim's Advice Relationships + Performance = Advancement. It's important to have both. Treat them equally and you'll go far.
2nd in command to a branch of Chicago's Black P. Stone Nation street organization, involved 1965 to 1971. 1971, Joined the Navy. Majored theater Columbia 1974.
I found Columbia using the College Board online college search, and once I knew about Columbia I was obsessed. I couldn't stop watching the welcome video on the website. My parents took me up to visit in February of my junior year in high school so I would know what I was getting into ie. Chicago winters. But I loved it from the very start!
I was a married mother of 3 returning to college at 26, despite so many people telling me the studying music wasn't practical. On orientation day I walked through a blizzard to get there, but I was determined to live my life on my terms.
Sharon's Advice Columbia works for you if you work for it. Your degree is only worth as much as the effort you put into your chosen career. It's not easy being a creative but never give up on who you are.
Stephanie's Advice Don't immediately say no to any opportunity. You may not know it, but the road you think will lead you nowhere might actually allow you to gain some great experience and meet some amazing people who you can learn a lot from.
I started as just a girl who loved movies and wanted to make them. When I was 16, I went on a trip to LA at took a tour of Warner Brothers. That tour solidified my dream of working in the film industry, Columbia was only the beginning.
Carissa's Advice Keep going, no matter what.
As a photography major at Columbia I focused on photojournalism and documentary work. I worked as a photojournalist and multimedia editor at The Chronicle, which helped to shape the beginning of my career. Ever since learning video and editing my senior year (thanks to Steve Liss!), I’ve worked as a professional videographer.
Samantha's Advice You may be graduating with a certain degree, but you never know what possibilities may open up to you in lots of different directions. I learned so much more on the job than in school, so don’t be afraid to take a position that you may not feel 100% qualified for.
I came to Columbia as a Junior in 2018 after completing my Associates at a community college. I knew as soon as I had graduated from high school that Columbia was where I wanted to go! I immediately got in touch with a transfer counselor at Columbia to help ensure the transfer process would be seamless, and because of them, it was!
Brea's Advice You are your best advocate! Remain persistent yet kind! Resilient yet head strong. This advice will get you through anything and helps me still. Congratulations Class of 2021, for making it through one of the toughest times of our lifetime! You are resilient!
I was looking for a place to train as an Actor, my neighbor recommend that I enroll at Columbia College, so in 1997 I became a College student! Columbia ( Theater Department) saved my life and gave me hope!
Kevin's Advice The door is open, come on in! ( your future)
Blaise's Advice I would like to tell the senior class it does not matter what your economic background.is, you can create your own unique future.If you try to be something, there will be people to help you achieve your dreams!
Lauren's Advice Don't beat yourself up if you haven't narrowed down a career. Create a vision, try different things, and see what moves your spirit... Oh yeah, PAY EQUITY! Know your worth.
Makena's Advice You're about to hear a lot of trite phrases that you'll have absolutely no connection to, so let me add another one: there is no path. You forge your own path. Stay true to yourself and you WILL find your way.
Mary's Advice Be opened, be creative, produce your art, and the opportunities will come.
I came to Columbia from San Diego, California to study film. It was a long way from home but I knew it was an amazing opportunity to follow my passion for storytelling.
Matthew's Advice Enjoy your time with all of your friends and creative collaborators, those connections will serve you well.
I originally went to Depaul for film, then took a single class at Columbia while taking classes at DePaul and fell in love with the school. I initially double majored in Film and AEMM but then fell in entirely with AEMM and enjoyed every minute of it.
I connected with Columbia when I was looking at colleges. A staff member took it on his own to give me a tour and recruited me on the spot after looking at my transcript. I graduated from Columbia and went on to be a part of the Alumni Association and Board of Trustees for about a decade.
Due to Covid, I have adjusted my work from live music performances and recordings to partnering with Tony Award winning actor Kent Klineman on placing our music in TV and film projects. I have also been helping a member of the Yakama Tribe (pictured above) navigate the music industry.
I knew I wanted to study Cinematography. At Columbia College Chicago they had everything and more that I thought would help launch my career.
Zander's Advice Follow your dream! Make sure you are doing all you can to stay up to date on the newest equipment. The film industry is always changing! Shoot as many projects as you can to learn!
I started at Columbia in 2014 pursuing a Fashion Design bachelor’s degree. I had a glamorized idea of what fashion design was, In my first year Columbia showed me what fashion design actually was, all of the nitty gritty that goes into producing an actual garment. I quickly redefined my idea of what a designer was and went from there with help from my professors.
I already had a nursing degree BSN but writing was in my heart and after my divorce I knew I had to follow my heart no matter how long it took. I had already published two books when I enrolled at Columbia and now have 40 published books scripts, and adaptations.
Rob's Advice No matter what you have planned for life, LIFE throws you a curve. Be open to change, have a strong work ethic and network with everyone!