As I move closer toward graduation, I’ve been thinking a lot about what kind of creative work I want to do, and more importantly, who I want to be as a storyteller. My background is not limited to one discipline. I draw from theatre, film, journalism, and digital media, and lately I’ve been exploring how emerging technologies like AI shape the next wave of storytelling. Because my interests stretch across several fields, I’ve chosen three professional development paths that reflect the kind of work I hope to create in the future. These are the programs and opportunities I believe will challenge me, expand my skills, and move me toward the career I want.

The first is a graduate program, specifically an MFA in Documentary Film or Emerging Media at either USC or San Diego State University. These programs appeal to me because they combine storytelling, research, visual production, and media theory. They also allow room for experimentation, which is important for someone who doesn’t fit perfectly into only “film” or only “journalism.” I’m interested in projects that blend these worlds, and an MFA would give me the time, mentorship, and structure to deepen my artistic voice. I still need to research deadlines, portfolio requirements, faculty whose interests overlap with mine, and potential funding like teaching assistantships. Over the next year, I plan to attend online information sessions, reach out to faculty, and begin assembling a serious creative portfolio that includes my podcast series, short-form video work, written pieces, and theatre projects. Applying in the next two years is the long-term goal.

The second opportunity I am researching is the Sundance Institute’s Emerging Creators programs. Unlike graduate school, Sundance is a highly immersive industry environment, offering access to mentors, labs, and workshops aimed at emerging filmmakers and narrative creators. What I like about Sundance is that it supports hybrid storytelling, projects that sit between documentary, creative nonfiction, experimental film, and digital media. This fits me perfectly. Sundance feels like the type of place where artists are encouraged to take risks, work across mediums, and explore identity and technology through new forms of storytelling. I need to look deeper into which Sundance track fits best, what materials they require, and which deadlines line up with where I’ll be creatively in the next year or two. My plan is to begin developing a short documentary or interdisciplinary media project so that I’ll have a strong piece to submit. Attending Sundance’s online courses and collaborating with other emerging creators will be part of my preparation.

Finally, the path that feels closest to my heart is the one I plan to build myself over the next five years. I want to develop a career as a creative media producer and storyteller who works at the intersection of film, journalism, theatre, and AI-assisted creativity. In practical terms, this means continuing to produce work, films, podcasts, written pieces, and hybrid theatre-media projects, that explore social issues, identity, and the future of creativity. I want to grow into someone who creates stories that matter, stories that question the world we’re building as technology becomes more integrated into our lives. My goal over the next five years is to build a polished portfolio, apply to internships or fellowships in media organizations, and keep developing my voice using both traditional and emerging storytelling tools. Whether through documentary filmmaking, digital journalism, dramaturgical work, or AI-enhanced narrative projects, I want to create work that feels human, grounded, and imaginative.

All three of these pathways, graduate school, Sundance, and the multi-year creative career I am beginning to shape, share a common thread. They each allow me to grow as a storyteller. They also reflect my interdisciplinary background and the type of artist I hope to become. Over the next year, my focus will be on learning more about each option, preparing the materials I need, and taking intentional steps toward whichever path feels right when the time comes. I know I may not choose just one of them. In many ways, these paths may overlap, and that’s exactly what I want: a future where I can continue learning, creating, and developing work that blends all the parts of who I am.