Recent Grad 101: Jordyn Gilliard
What’s something big and intimidating that hasn’t been dominating our news cycle lately? Entering the “real world” after you graduate from college. Spoiler alert—you’ve already been in the real world this whole time. 😉 But, despite that little known fact, figuring out what to do post-college and then successfully doing it can be quite a daunting task. In our new Recent Grad 101 series, we’re showcasing recent alumni who are smoothly navigating that strange transition via a wide variety of next steps. First up, we’re talking with Jordyn Gilliard ‘19. Read on for Jordyn’s recommendations for post-grad success:
Jordyn Gilliard
she/her/hers
Communication ‘19
Graduate Student @ Carnegie Mellon University
Tell us about what you did immediately following graduation.
Jordyn Gilliard: Well, I decided to take a year off before going back to grad school but then the coronavirus hit. I ended up going back this September for my master's program. I am earning my Master of Science in International Relations and Politics at Carnegie Mellon University.
What made you decide to apply to that specific program?
JG: My minor during my undergrad was political science. I got really invested in talking about politics all the time so I decided to make a living out of it.
Do you have a dream job?
JG: I would like to be a journalist, maybe a commentator for CNN or a writer for NPR.
How did Chatham inform your career path?
JG: Chatham definitely played a role [in my path]. I had Associate Professor Jennie Sweet-Cushman and Social Sciences Department Chair David Rossbach as my professors; they’re both so passionate about their disciplines. It definitely makes a difference when your professors are passionate about what they're teaching—it rubs off on the students. I became even more intrigued in the subject.
Did you complete any internships that helped build your resume?
JG: During the summer before my junior year, I interned at UPMC in the internal communications department. I was able to write articles about six different hospitals in the area. At Chatham, we were required to take a course with Tony Norman. He worked for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and would have us write articles. During that time, I also served on Chatham's newspaper, the Communique.
Do you have any tips for career exploration in college?
JG: I would say join as many clubs specific to your interests as you can, but be sure to not overwork or overwhelm yourself. If you're really passionate about something, hone in on your craft and make it better during your free time. Maybe add a minor in something you are interested in but not sure about it.
Special thanks to Jordyn for being our first featured recent grad! If you’re interested in professional development opportunities at Chatham, explore all that our Office of Career Development has to offer.
