I cannot believe how long it has been since I graduated from USC. Being back on campus for 2014 graduation is absolutely amazing! I am so thankful to work for such an wonderful company that really is changing the face of education. #outcomes #nobackrow

I visited the USC Fisher Museum of Art, where I spent a good chunk of my undergraduate years. I started as a gallery assistant and by Senior year was working for Art in the Village, their non-profit that planned art projects that correlated with the LAUSD curriculum for neighboring schools in South Central LA, organized art exhibits for the students and provided art supplies for all participating classes. The non-profit is no longer around, it ran out of funding last year I believe, but it was an amazing experience. I loved the staff at Fisher and was so happy to see a friendly face when I was visiting yesterday! It really is like a second home.

Things I've learned since graduation

• Be open--you really never know where life will take you.
• If you are happy, keep working at it even if it feels like you aren't getting anywhere.
• Your real friends will always be there for you. No matter how far away they are, or seem to be.
• Life happens fast. Don't miss out by dwelling on the past, even if you have amazing memories.
• Don't worry about what everyone else is doing. Your path is your own and it won't look anything like anyone else's.
• If you believe it will happen, it will happen.
• Practice gratitude.
• Do you. No one else can do it better.
• Don't forget where you came from, but be open to all the places you will go.

I never dreamed in a million years I would have lived abroad, traveled alone to many, many places, worked for a start-up in one of the best cities in the world, created things that people actually wear, or have friends to visit all over. Nor did I think I would end up (for now) living blocks away from my sister in the capital of the US, loving my job, living in the best neighborhood and able to blog from a hotel room in downtown LA.

I'm missing all my friends from Annenberg and USC ... we are now quite literally all over the world, but I know I'll be seeing you all soon.

#fighton

xo,

Stephanie