Preparing to Tell the Stories of Others – Johnathan Davila

Johnthan likes to stay busy. He works full time as an assistant head of engineering at a Marriot hotel while being a full-time student. He also served an intern in Multimedia Services (MMS), where he learned skills that complemented his degree in Communication and Media Studies. Graduating with Highest Honors, Jay learned about the College by chance and decided to return to education after a decade-long hiatus.

“I was working for my construction company, and I saw a bus ad for the College. I applied the next day,” Johnathan said.

Originally intending to pursue Computer Science, his career interests shifted after taking a few classes.

“I took a video editing course, and I realized that’s exactly what I wanted to do,” Jay said.

Communication and media courses continued to shape his career aspirations, in addition to his experiences as an MMS intern. Johnathan did a lot of behind the screen work, including market research, contacting potential interviewees for projects and editing content for multiple ongoing assignments. “I saw the inner workings of a studio. Each step of the process excites me; from taking an idea then turning it into real life,” he said.

This fall, Johnathan will begin the Media Studies and Production program at Temple University’s Klein College, which will help him further his communication skills and technical knowledge. His goal is to work in a TV or radio station, working in pre- or post-production video editing, marketing or PR—anything that involves telling the stories of others, especially those who don’t have a voice.

Johnathan’s parents came to the United States from Cuenca, Ecuador, and he is the first in his family to be born in the United States, and a first-generation College student. He credits faculty for their guidance and assistance during his time at CCP.

“All of the professors I’ve had have open door policies and guided me in the direction I am taking; Rafael Logroño “made me realize I am worth more than I realize, and I can be the light that shines in someone else’s darker room.”

Inspired by Johnathan’s success and experiences, some of his relatives and friends are now pursuing higher education, and he looks forward to helping them along their educational journey. His advice to future students is simple: “Don’t be afraid of the unfamiliar. Take as many risks as you can, and one day you’ll realize, how far you came along and that this journey was well worth it.”