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COLLEGE: BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER




           FROM CANADA TO CALIFORNIA:



           A Journey of Purpose, Perseverance, and PR Dreams










                             by Goldy G. Ponce

           When most people picture their next step after college, they
           think about finding a job, paying bills, or maybe pursuing
           graduate school close to home. For  Jessica Giuntoli, the road
           led across borders, cultures, and challenges, all in pursuit of a
           dream career in public relations.

           Growing up in Canada, she quickly realized that opportunities
           in the PR industry were limited. Most jobs required either five
           or more years of experience or a specialized degree, and local
           universities didn’t offer a program that fit her goals.
           Determined to carve her own path, she began researching
           graduate schools worldwide.



           Her search led her to the        I ATTENDED EVERY ZOOM
           University of Southern              SESSION, MET WITH
           California’s Annenberg School,     PROFESSORS, ASKED
           one of the few programs        COUNTLESS QUESTIONS, AND
           offering a focus in               EVEN SPOKE WITH THE
           entertainment and sports PR,
           two industries she had always        INTERNATIONAL
           been passionate about. The       ADMISSIONS TEAM,” SHE
           Los Angeles location, with its  RECALLS. “I WANTED TO BE
           abundance of entertainment       ABSOLUTELY SURE I WAS
           opportunities, sealed the deal.  MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE.



           The Support System Behind the
           Decision                                        The financial side, however, was no small challenge. To
                                                           prepare, she worked three jobs in the year leading up to
           Though the choice to move from Canada to the    her move, saved diligently, and secured a student loan
           United States was ultimately hers, her parents  through the Canadian government. She also had help from
           played a supportive role. They encouraged her   her mom, who supported her during her second year. “My
           to stay closer to home rather than moving to    biggest advice for students, especially international students,
           Australia, her first choice, but respected her  is to save as much money as possible before you go. Loans
           independence in making the final decision.      can become stressful.”


             www.CareerChannelsMag.com                                                                  PAGE 38
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