Rutgers Student Paves Her Own Way to Career in Journalism

Rutgers Student Paves Her Own Way to Career in Journalism

By Clarissa Gordon


NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., Feb. 9 - As a self-proclaimed beauty editor, president and contributor to several student-run publications, Rutgers junior Michaela Felix is proving there isn’t anything she can’t achieve.

The sophomore is currently the beauty editor for Trim, a fashion and lifestyle collective run by Rutgers students. The 20 year-old wrote for Trim for only one semester before creating the beauty department herself.

Originally only picturing herself as a fashion journalist, Felix recently found an interest in beauty writing when she realized beauty was more than just makeup and hair, but skincare, too.

Felix’s mission as a beauty journalist is to help college students on a budget get the most out of their skincare regimens, as most can’t afford the pricey skincare products popular celebrities and beauty gurus swear by.

Having a passion for fashion journalism since high school, the journalism major dove right into writing her freshman year at the university.

Realizing she had a true passion and talent for writing, Felix went on to writing for the music and culture publication Rutgers Review, where she wrote her first piece on the local band “The World’s Afterparty.”

Felix has also written for Voice Magazine, the publication on campus that serves as a platform for minority students.

Hungry for more responsibility for a cause she cared about, Felix became president of the Curly in College club on campus, an organization that creates a community for minority students to embrace their natural hair.

Growing up, Felix attended a predominantly white school in Jersey City, and her mother relaxed her hair straight because it was easier to style. As she’s gotten older, Felix says wearing her hair natural feels like something to embrace, and the organization gives her an opportunity to bond with other students over the issue.

The president of Curly in College helps to organize two major events for the club, including the “Love is in the Hair” panel that debuted February 8, one week before Valentine’s Day. The panel gave students a chance to discuss the ways in which natural hair can affect romantic relationships.

Felix also helped organize the Fro-Down Natural Hair Festival in April of 2016, an event sponsored by natural hair companies such as Jane Carter Solution, Shea Moisture, Curls and Beautiful Textures.

Festival goers enjoyed product giveaways from the sponsors as well as live music from local artists and bands.

While the aspiring magazine writer is constantly busy today, she’s only working towards the future.

Knowing that experience is important for a career in journalism, Felix gets involved on campus as much as she can. The writer also interns to get valuable, real-life experience.

Many students often struggle with keeping it all together. With a planner always in tow, Felix remains organized to accomplish as much as she can.

Above all of her other titles, Felix is a self-proclaimed go-getter, constantly keeping herself busy with new projects. To Felix, being busy is a positive thing because it helps her to better herself and her future through her work.