Recent journalism graduate Irum Ibrahim has always had a passion for storytelling. She began her college career studying business at Oakland University, but she soon switched to Michigan State to pursue journalism.
"I always knew I loved it, so I was fighting against myself," she said.
As a student, Ibrahim worked at The State News and The Red Cedar Log. During the summer of 2015, she also worked as an editorial intern for Hour Media's DBusiness Magazine. She wrote and edited stories that were published online as well as in the daily newsletter.
Ibrahim's most memorable day on the job was the day HGTV's "Rehab Addict" star Nicole Curtis visited Detroit to give a tour of a mansion she was remodeling.
"It was hands-on type of work. I was able to ask questions alongside the Detroit News and Free Press and Channel 4," she said.
She first heard of the opportunity with DBusiness through an email sent by journalism professor LA Dickerson.
"I had just finished the State News and a documentary, so this was the next thing," Ibrahim said. "I wanted to dabble with all sorts of journalism. I had done print and video and this would be magazine."
Ibrahim received the Susan B. Goldman Journalism Internship Award in connection with her time at DBusiness.
"I don't know how hard it would have been without that because my internship was unpaid and because I was taking classes, I didn't have any other income," she said. "It was really helpful to have that scholarship."
Now working full time, Ibrahim offered some advice for ComArtSci students: build as many connections as possible.
"Talk to your professors every opportunity you get. Go to office hours whenever you have a relevant question," she said. "Make sure you know what you want so you can have a narrow vision when you're looking for career opportunities. It will be easier to find something you appreciate and enjoy that will help you in the future with your career goals."
For Ibrahim, those goals include traveling and writing about human rights. She currently works as a communications and outreach coordinator for Muslim Family Services in Detroit and as a blogger for The Huffington Post.
"What I'm doing right now is helping me get where I ultimately want to be, which is working in the human rights area of journalism," she said.