After earning her BA in English in 2014, Stephanie Santos ’20 was excited to join the workforce for the first time. Her love for digital journalism led her to jobs at big-name tech companies, including LinkedIn, Google, and Facebook. What she appreciates most about the online world is the way it provides a platform for those who haven’t been able to speak out in the past.
“Tech was never what I set out to do, but I was quite enamored by the impact it has on the world,” says Santos. “It’s creating opportunities for underrepresented groups to amplify their voices and be part of the mainstream consciousness and media, empowering those who don’t always get to have the microphone.”
A few years into her profession, she decided to reevaluate her journey to make sure her values and passions aligned with her career; she wanted what mattered most to be reflected in her day-to-day work.
“There are so many things I care about,” she explains, “and there were so many areas where I wanted to grow my skills. At first, I hesitated, thinking I was too young. But then I decided to look at graduate programs. Northwestern’s MS in Communication ticked all the boxes—from diversity to rhetoric, public speaking, and persuasive writing. It felt tailor-made for me.”
She knew the Northwestern name would lead to a top-tier educational experience, but she wasn’t sure how an online program would work for her. After the first few classes, however, Santos realized how the virtual environment still allowed her to build rapport with faculty and peers.
“The combination of in-person and online courses in the Hybrid Leadership Program was incredible,” she says. “There was such a focus on being introspective and inclusion as a practice—every class, every teacher, and every in-residence seminar honored that. The people I went to class with were so diverse in their lives and their professional experiences. Being in that environment opened my mind to different possibilities, and it was wonderful to get outside my comfort zone.”
She credits the MS in Communication program with honing her skills and giving her the confidence to speak up. At work, she had gotten used to being the youngest person in the room. This sometimes held her back from participating in meetings or taking on challenges. Backed by her degree, she felt more confident and prepared to voice her thoughts and opinions.
“This degree gave me a real confidence boost in the workforce, which left a positive impact on my day-to-day interactions inside and outside of work.”
The MS in Communication also gave Santos the courage to leave the corporate tech world she knew so well for a new opportunity: joining a small startup focused on inclusionary workplace practices and increasing diversity in hiring and talent pools.
In her new role, Santos is responsible for content management and creation across the organization, which is a perfect marriage of her passions and skills.
“This degree gave me a real confidence boost in the workforce, which left a positive impact on my day-to-day interactions inside and outside of work,” she explains. “It’s been incredibly impactful in the way I show up in all parts of my life now. This degree was the best decision I have made in a very long time.”
If you have any questions or are thinking about applying to Northwestern, Stephanie would love to share her experiences with you! Send her a note.