<p><span class="p-body">In today's increasingly technological world, having strong critical thinking and interpersonal skills is more important than ever. The BA in Social Sciences program at NYU SPS is poised to prepare students to develop their creativity, problem-solving abilities, and more—placing them at the center of their chosen industries after graduation. Talia Barrington is a recent graduate who is already applying the practical knowledge she gained in the program to the real world.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Originally from London, England, Talia has lived in the US for over 13 years. She is a former figure skater and professional ballroom dancer, and while she no longer competes, she continues to teach ballroom dancing. We sat down with Talia to learn more about her experience at NYU, her proudest moments as a student, and what she's been up to since graduation.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Talia always intended to finish her undergraduate degree after her dancing career. NYU SPS provided her with the flexibility to continue her studies while supporting herself through teaching—a balance that allowed her to further her education and pursue her goals.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Talia's time at NYU SPS coincided with the pandemic, which made her experience unique. Despite the challenges of remote learning, she appreciated the high-quality instruction and the opportunity to further her education during a tumultuous time.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Talia recently completed her master's degree at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at NYU in the Cultural Criticism and Reporting Program. She is now a freelancer whose work has been published in <i>The Atlantic</i>, <i>New York Magazine</i>, <i>Slate</i>, <i>The Daily Beast,</i> and more. She credits the foundation provided by her BA in Social Sciences for her success in her current field.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Transitioning to a new career brought its own set of challenges, especially the feeling of starting over. Despite these challenges, Talia has made significant connections that have propelled her forward. One unexpected area she found herself writing about is sports, thanks to her connections with Olympic champions and sporting federations. She enjoys telling stories about the human experience, particularly within the athlete's world.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Since she dove head-first into journalism, Talia is proud of overcoming her shyness and becoming confident enough to reach out to people for her work. She now regularly contacts potential sources and is often met with willingness and support, which continues to amaze her.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Talia hopes to secure a staff writing position but is realistic about the challenges in the industry and understands she may continue freelancing for a while. She shares her insider knowledge, &quot;Journalism is definitely in a continued moment of change. I hope that more funds can be directed to a wider range of publications so editors and staff writers are less overwhelmed.&quot; Regardless, she remains optimistic about her career and the future of journalism.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Having completed her BA in Social Sciences during the pandemic, Talia has compelling advice for prospective students.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">While Talia wasn't able to participate in hands-on learning experiences like a capstone or practicum during her undergraduate experience at NYU, the research skills she developed during her courses have proven invaluable in her daily work. She did make up for lost in-person time when she pursued her master's degree, however, and took full advantage of the networking opportunities available post-pandemic.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">If you'd like to keep up with Talia, you can follow her <a href="https://muckrack.com/talia-barrington-1" target="_blank" title="Muck Rack profile">Muck Rack profile</a>.</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">For aspiring journalists, educators, social workers, and beyond, pursuing a <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ba-in-social-sciences.html" title="BA in Social Sciences">BA in Social Sciences</a> is a powerful first step to a fulfilling career. </span></p>