Emerging Media Narrative
From Uncertainty to Readiness: An Unexpected Learning Experience
More Than I Signed Up For
When I first applied to the UGA Emerging Media Double Dawgs program, I didn’t think much of it. I had taken a lot of AP classes in high school and was on track to graduate early. I thought it would be cool to get my Master’s degree ahead of schedule, so I applied.
Ironically, the same advisor who helped me graduate early also gave me incorrect application instructions, so I ended up joining the program late as well. Still, looking back, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my career.
At the time, I didn’t fully understand what “Emerging Media” even meant. I just knew the marketing job market was competitive, and if I wanted a real shot at landing a role in New York City after graduation, I needed something that set me apart.
So you can imagine my surprise when I walked into my first class and found myself downloading Visual Studio Code instead of creating TikTok content or analyzing pop culture trends. That confusion quickly turned into doubt. When Adobe Photoshop entered the picture, I really started questioning everything. I remember thinking, I thought this program was supposed to give me a leg up in social media marketing. Why do I need to learn coding and design tools?
Now, four years later, after applying to roles with hundreds of candidates and increasingly high expectations, I understand exactly why.
Yes, having “Master’s” on my resume is valuable. However, in a world where tools like ChatGPT can easily elevate or reframe experience — something that has become increasingly common — surface-level differentiation is no longer enough. What actually matters is having real, tangible skills that set you apart. The technical foundation I gained through this program, even the parts I resisted at first, has become one of my biggest advantages.
After completing my undergraduate degree, I had a semester gap before continuing the program. During that time, I worked as a Marketing and Creative Director for The Lightroom ATH, while also serving as an NMIXpert for the New Media Institute. Being asked to step into that role was both surprising and incredibly validating. It reassured me that the skills I had been building were not only relevant, but valuable enough to pass on to others.
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Teaching gave me a completely different perspective on what I had learned. It pushed me to articulate concepts clearly, stay sharp, and continue learning alongside the students I was mentoring. I was able to build meaningful relationships and support students in a role I had once been in myself, which made that experience especially meaningful.
Applying the Work
Like I said, my end goal was always to end up in New York. Did I have a clear idea of what that meant? Not exactly. But I knew it was where I wanted to be.
After completing what I would consider the foundational coursework of the program during undergrad, I decided to finish the second half online. Most of that time revolved around the capstone project.
I was placed in a group with three other people who were completely different from me. From the start, it was clear we didn’t naturally align. Our first semester ended up being spent on a project that ultimately went nowhere, leading to frustration and conflict. At a certain point, we realized we had to pivot or risk the entire project falling apart. Going into the next year, I honestly dreaded it.
But once we started meeting consistently and approaching a new concept with a more open mindset, something shifted. As we began bouncing ideas off each other, we realized the new direction had real potential. For the first time, we were all genuinely excited about what we were building.
Our final project, SONO, became a direct reflection of everything we had learned. SONO is a music discovery platform designed to help users find songs that actually match how they feel in the moment. Instead of endlessly scrolling through playlists, users can describe their mood and receive personalized recommendations, save those discoveries, and even track their emotional patterns over time. The platform combines AI-driven recommendations with a more human, intuitive approach to music discovery.
Working on SONO pushed me further than any previous project. I wasn’t just applying existing skills — I was learning new ones in real time, from product design and user experience to collaboration and iteration. It stopped feeling like an assignment and started feeling like something we genuinely cared about building well.
That shift changed everything. I went from dreading our meetings to looking forward to them each week. Over time, we grew close in a way I never expected, especially considering how we started. What began as a group of people who struggled to connect turned into a team that challenged and supported each other.
What It All Meant
It’s honestly strange, and a little sad, to think that soon it won’t be part of my routine anymore. I’ve never been more excited for it to be over so I can finally meet them in person at graduation, yet that excitement is bittersweet, knowing it also marks the end of something that has meant so much to me.
At the same time, that is what this entire experience has been about: learning how to step into unfamiliar situations, adapt, and build something meaningful from it. The same uncertainty I felt walking into my first Emerging Media class is the same feeling I now recognize as growth.
Beyond the technical skills, this program prepared me in ways I did not fully appreciate at the time. It pushed me to build a portfolio I would not have had otherwise, connected me with mentors, and gave me access to professional speakers and real-world insight into the industry. At times, it felt like busy work, but looking back, it was intentional. It was preparation.
What once felt like “more than I signed up for” has ultimately become the reason I feel prepared for what comes next. As I prepare to begin my career in New York, I feel equipped not just with credentials, but with the ability to adapt, build, and think beyond the expected.
