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Vanessa Abbitt, a Las Vegas native, is graduating this fall with a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from the School of Visual Communication. 

What are your next steps or plans for the future?
My plans for the future are based around me chasing my curiosity. I feel like I've learned the skills I need to be successful in my field, and now it's up to me to follow the stories I want to tell. I'm hoping to receive a grant for a story I've been researching for over a year now and will hopefully hear back about whether I won in the new year. Immediately after graduation, I have a job offer in New York City as well as a possible opportunity in Las Vegas that I'm considering. No matter which path I choose, I can't go wrong.

Why did you choose OHIO? 
I chose OHIO after a simple Google search for "best schools for photojournalism." After consistently seeing OHIO among the top schools for photojournalism, I decided to apply. I told myself that if I got into the program after my portfolio review, my decision would be made. Moving across the country was a mix of scary and exciting, but on my first day of classes, I knew that I was in the right place. Now, with graduation on my doorstep, I'm grateful I took a chance on applying and leaving home.

"Moving across the country was a mix of scary and exciting, but on my first day of classes, I knew that I was in the right place. Now, with graduation on my doorstep, I'm grateful I took a chance on applying and leaving home," Vanessa Abbitt said.

Who were your favorite professors and how did they make an impact on your life?
My favorite professors since coming to OHIO have been Stan Alost, Tim Goheen, Beth Novak, Daniel Torres and Marcy Nighswander (who has since retired). Although these faculty are from across different departments, they all encouraged me to challenge my thinking – creatively and logically. Every time I bump into one of these people unexpectedly around campus or on Court Street, it makes my day.

What was the hardest hill you had to climb (not counting Jeff Hill) at OHIO? And how did you overcome challenges or obstacles in your path? 
One of my toughest battles since starting college was homesickness. Freshman year was especially hard because it was my first time being alone and away from home for so long. Having grown up in a big city that's so different from Athens, I felt a little bit of a culture shock, and I got whiplash from such a sudden change of pace.

My friends that I've been so lucky to make since freshman year were so supportive and helped show me the ropes. For instance, I had never owned a long winter coat or an umbrella because I never needed those in the desert, so they helped me pick out the right ones.

Whenever I felt like I wanted to talk about home with someone, I knew I could talk to my friends and family on the phone, and I wouldn't feel so far away.

Now as a senior, I don't feel homesick nearly as often, and it might be because I have a chosen family of some of my closest friends helping make Athens feel like home.