Mekita Rivas — 2012 graduate, contributing fashion news writer at Refinery29, and freelance journalist and creative consultant
Majors: Journalism and English
Minors: Ethnic Studies, Film Studies, and Spanish
What sparked your interest in your areas of study?
I've always known that I wanted to be a writer — I've been keeping a journal and crafting stories since I was five years old. My interest in journalism developed later in life, largely thanks to my mom who watched network news and read the newspaper every day. By the time I got to college, it never even occurred to me to major in anything other than journalism and English.
My interest in ethnic studies evolved as I took different literature classes for my English degree, specifically Chicano/a Literature and African American Literature. I had incredible professors who piqued my curiosity about literature beyond what most students have traditionally been taught as the classic literary canon. I vividly remember when Dr. Joy Castro assigned Mexican Enough by Stephanie Elizondo Griest — it was the first time I had ever read a book that I could relate to so personally.
What is the value of studying in your areas?
When I realized that I could minor in ethnic studies, it was a no-brainer. In many ways, the minor provided me with a pathway to get to know myself. As a first-generation, multicultural kid from Nebraska, my knowledge about my own cultural history and heritage was regrettably limited. Taking classes within the ethnic studies program was — on the one hand — a formal education, but it was also a very personal education as well.
How did you get to where you are now in your career and how did your education help?
My career path up to this point has been unconventional to say the least. My first job out of college was as a digital producer in local TV news. It didn't end up being a fit, but I learned a lot about what I didn't want out of a job, and that was valuable insight to gain early on in my career. Eventually, I found myself working in communications roles in both higher education (including a two-year stint at UNL) and nonprofits. While the stability of a traditional 9-to-5 was nice, I reached a point where I felt my career had plateaued, and I was looking for new challenges. That's when I decided to try my hand at freelancing and building my own business. My education provided me with both the technical know-how and critical thinking skills that I needed in order to be successful, regardless of where my career has taken me.
Were there any other experiences from your time at UNL that helped you get to where you are now?
My time at the Daily Nebraskan was a critical turning point for me as an undergraduate. That's really where I first cut my teeth as a working journalist and began fine-tuning my voice as a writer. I wrote the fashion column at the DN for a while, and if not for that opportunity, it's likely that I would've never ended up in fashion journalism all these years later.
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