Meet Joy
By Joy Ofodu ‘18
Hi, I’m Joy! It’s a wonder that anyone would want to read my fanatic raving (or hot tea) about USC. Anyone who knows me will tell you I bleed cardinal & gold like it’s my job (And as a product of Admissions, I suppose it is)
The Communication major found me. I had dreams of being an A-List actress in high school, but after my sixth performance of Beauty and the Beast as a fork, I wagered that my talents might be better put to use behind the scenes of entertainment - my role as a Communication scholar with double minors in Spanish and Marketing has been much more fulfilling.
I’m a digital media fanatic, and rather addicted to work. 12-week 9 to 5’s are what I look forward to every summer, and my internships at thredUP, Lucasfilm and now Instagram have not only irrevocably altered my life, but have also instilled in me the confidence that I can tackle anything I plot on.
A few organizations have become my home on campus - I help bring black-led films to the spotlight on the African American Cinema Society E-Board because I think representation in film is one of the most valuable outlets for social change. I’m not in SCA, but the others welcomed me in as Communications Coordinator, and have let me host some amazing actors and creators on campus.
I love mixing with the film kids, but Annenberg is actually my whole entire life. I’ve been working in Admissions since my second week at USC and I spend about 10 hours a week giving quirky tours of the Media Center, lovingly packing admissions envelopes and directing the Annenberg Ambassadors. As Senior Intern, I feel a huge responsibility but also an insurmountable amount of pride when I’m leading our teams in outreach - no one is more impressionable than a high school junior walking up to a four-story Media Wall for the first time (no one). But I live for the moments in which I can geek out about my school with complete strangers, and hope that they feel what I felt.
When I’m afforded the opportunity to escape from USC, I run to red carpets. Something about the confluence of unbelievable talent, stressed PR reps and pushy photographers with brilliant external flashes just does it for me. I’ll often juggle my camera, phone and laptop to produce live content. You get your rushes where you can.
Finally, I’m a portrait photographer. So as I start blogging for Trojans 360, you can expect that I’ll be doing a lot more showing than telling. I believe that our micro-expressions after hours of lecture say a lot more than we could ever put into words, so I’ll be profiling my peers through my 50mm lens every chance that I get.
Let’s get it!
Instagram: @joyofodu
Twitter: @joyofodu
website: joyofodu.com
