# @msujschool on Facebook

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.facebook.com/1588490806402984/posts/10156392381313666
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/68589897-msujschool-facebook
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/64ce660999.jpg
- **Posted:** 2019-03-29T11:20:47.000+00:00

## Caption

It is #Five4Friday!

Meet...

Lilli Khatibi
B.A. 2015 (JRN & ADPR)
Assistant Director of Communications, 
Michigan Medicine Office of Development
 
Q: What do you love about your current job?
A: I love that the work I do is bringing awareness to and shedding light on diseases, and the need for philanthropic support of them! My job is to write communications and marketing materials on disease that detail what the university is doing to advance understanding of the disease itself, with the ultimate goal of finding cures or improving treatment options to increase positive outcomes. I come from a medical family, and I always wanted to make an impact on the lives of others in some way, but wasn’t able to become a doctor myself. Through this work, I’m able to create materials that help raise funds to conduct important research and provide new therapeutics, thus improving the lives of others. I also get to meet really incredible faculty along the way who are doing some jaw-dropping research. It’s so cool to see how medicine can advance! Just the other day, I was able to meet a faculty member who took microscopic stem cells and turned them into a beating heart in a dish. Um, what?! That’s crazy awesome. 

Q: How did the J-School prepare you for your career?
A: Truly, the J-School is a top-notch program. The training I received during my schooling is leagues above what some of my colleagues received during their time at their respective institutions. I think the best thing about the J-School is that they’re not just teaching you what to do and best practices, but they make you go off and do it, and incorporate that tactical element into the curriculum. They basically train you to be a one (wo)man shop. I remember when I was interviewing for this current position, the folks interviewing me were like, “I thought you studied Journalism. How do you know how to shoot and edit video or master audio or use the Adobe suite and do graphic design?” And I was just like, “Uhhh because my schooling required me to be extremely well-versed in all aspects of the industry.” That’s when it dawned on me that my experience at MSU was game-changing and unique compared to others. I’m really appreciative to the J-School for instilling that knowledge and those skills in me. 

Q: What do you miss most about MSU?
A: The tight-knit community! Everyone on campus is just super fun and friendly. I love that everyone is willing to help one another, in whatever capacity they can, because when one of us succeeds, we all succeed. As an alum, I love going back and speaking to classes, and I make an effort to connect students with fellow alums in the areas they are interested in pursuing. The connections you make at MSU will last far beyond your school years, and they’re important. I also miss learning from the faculty. They really do want to see you succeed, and they challenge you to try new approaches and develop certain skills you might not be interested in gaining, but ultimately end up loving and using every day. I’m still in contact with some of my professors. (Shout out, Lori Anne Dickerson!!)

Q: What do you suggest our undergrads to do to make the most out of their time at the J-School? 
A: Network. With alums, with industry leaders, and even with your fellow classmates. When you graduate and go off into the working world, they can become a mentor or advocate for you and your work. Or even help you get a foot in the door of a company that you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to. Also, get professional experience! Take advantage of internships and make sure to get experience in the field or area you ultimately want to work in. That experience will be really beneficial come graduation, and will be helpful in developing a professional portfolio. It’s impressive to graduate with published work, so make sure you save all your work that could be of potential use in a hiring process. Create a website portfolio that houses it so you can show others. I still use mine today. Mostly, though, have fun and take advantage of the unique environment you are in. Try new approaches, test out new software/equipment, and really learn from your peers. Soak it all in! 

Q: How does it feel to be a Spartan at the U of M? 🙂
A: Terrifying! No, I kid, it’s totally chill. I wear my MSU gear on football Friday’s, and actually, four out of the five writers in our office are MSU JRN grads, so I’m in good company. We joke that we got U-M to pay us for the expertise we gained during our time at MSU. Who has the upper hand now? ;)

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five4friday

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