Julia DeRidder '23

"I like to think I started and ended my education at Bay Path... unless I go to graduate school. I went to Bay Path's preschool, which isn't running anymore. I considered other colleges, but I wanted to commute and save money. Bay Path was the closest to me, and I liked the small atmosphere. 

"I was an exploratory major in my first year. I didn't subscribe to the idea of figuring out what I wanted to do at 19 years old. I took core classes and talked to my advisor about my options. I love to read and write. I wrote poetry and short stories in high school. So, we figured that the professional writing program was a natural fit for my skills. 

"As an intern at Bellastoria Press, I have learned a lot about the publishing industry from the inside out. It's not a paid internship, but I was lucky enough to get funding through Bay Path's internship grant. 

"I'm also the editor of the Network News, Bay Path's student magazine. I started submitting articles in 2020. I still write articles because I can't help myself, but I also manage projects and edit the entire magazine. It's a lot of work, but I enjoy it.

"When I entered college, I was in a different space. I was nervous because I had an untraditional high school experience. I wondered, 'Do I deserve to be here?' Being a part of the Network News made me be more active on campus and talk to people. I realized I didn't have to sit at home, and the world wouldn't end if I put myself out there.

"The Network News has also helped me realize I don't want to be a journalist. I prefer the editorial side rather than interviewing people. I'm hoping to work in the publishing industry eventually. But who knows? I could become a librarian or write a book. I have a few different paths I could take, and I want to pick one that is the most realistic but that I'm passionate about." -  Julia DeRidder '23 #MyPath

See some of Julia’s work in the latest edition of Network News