Jenn Xia
Journalism
Class of 2022
How are you using your journalism degree in nonprofit?
Journalism really showed me the impact that storytelling can have in not only providing a platform for marginalized voices, but in creating real, tangible change through narrative shifts and consciousness raising. My role is a combination of supporting community education and outreach efforts and creating and managing our social media and I think about journalism a lot in my work. Centering voices of those most impacted. Really empowering those with lived experiences that that is their expertise. The power of providing accurate and timely information.
Were you in any student organizations?
Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) was a huge part of my college experience. It gave me a place to find and build community - that sense of belonging is life-saving. I love seeing how much the organization has grown on its own and all the sweet friendships that have come out of it.
What have you learned so far from working in a nonprofit?
What I’ve learned from working in a non-profit is the importance of centering joy and pleasure in the work and reflecting on what brings you to the work in the first place because you bring your whole self, your experiences, your joys and your wounds, into everything you do. Doing the work can be hard — finding a way to make it sustainable, hopeful and joyful and really leaning on community is what I’ve found to be essential in doing this work.
If I had any advice, it would be to really invest in people and spaces that make you feel accepted, foster your curiosity and bring you closer to yourself.
What advice do you have for #TEXASMoody students?
I feel like life is a constant battle with fighting against this feeling that you’re not enough and not doing enough, and school can really amplify all these thoughts when it demands so much out of you! I feel like a broken record talking about community but if I had any advice, it would be to really invest in people and spaces that make you feel accepted, foster your curiosity and bring you closer to yourself. My hardest moments in life have been when I’ve felt disconnected, from myself and others, and having people that bring me back to myself and to the world has meant everything.
Do you have a favorite project you worked on at your job?
We held a “Healthy Relationships” workshop with the Taiwanese American Professionals Austin chapter — it was an intimate group with people of different ages, backgrounds and experiences. Being face to face with community having conversations about consent, boundaries and what that looks like in practice with the people we love was so special. It brings me hope in breaking my own harmful intergenerational patterns and wounds!