Hometown: Nampa, Idaho
Major: Media Arts
Anticipated Graduation: May 2018
Because of CWI: “I gained professional skills I will use the rest of my life.”
Fresh out of high school, Ky went straight into the job market. Working several dead-end jobs brought him to the realization, he wanted more. “I wanted a career I could be proud of and enjoyed doing every day,” he said.
This desire led Ky to College of Western Idaho (CWI) in pursuit of a degree in Media Arts. “I chose Media Arts because I feel like telling people’s stories is important,” he said. “I want to be their voice.”
During his final semester and as part of his capstone course, Ky completed an internship with Idaho Press-Tribune. Assignments covering local news and sports during the internship helped solidify his interest in journalism. Ky’s work has been featured multiple times in the Nampa-based newspaper – most recently, on the front page!
“I was excited for the opportunity to get out in the community and develop my skills as a journalist,” he said. “My internship had a profound impact on my experience. I am thankful to have had such talented mentors guiding me.”
Ky credits a seamless college experience to his Student Success Advisor, Tessa Calip, who he says went above and beyond responding to questions and concerns he had throughout his academic journey.
“One of the more difficult aspects of being a college student isn’t class,” he said, “but rather the planning, financing, and administrative deadlines we have to deal with in order to graduate on time. I cannot thank Tessa enough.”
This fall, Ky will transfer to Boise State University to study Media Production and Journalism. He hopes to use his education to pursue a career producing news or documentaries.
