Women of Cincy’s residency program is aimed towards college students with interests in journalism, communications, graphic design, and multimedia. Learn more about the residency program here.

Women of Cincy currently adheres to social distancing guidelines during all interviews.

Olivia “Olive” Taylor, Residency Director and Community Mix Editor

When Kiersten Wones and Chelsie Walter (former editor-in-chief and residency director, and executive director, respectively) came to me with the offer of becoming the new residency director, I was eager to start. I’m an alumna of the Women of Cincy residency, and my experience profoundly changed my perspective on work, careers, communication, and life in general.

The residency isn’t like any other journalism or communications internship; our residents are not nameless fact-checkers – we want them to leave with both professional and personal growth; we want them to go out into the world more confident and capable human beings.

The main drive of the residency is to enable young journalists, writers, and communicators with the skills and experience needed for the professional world. The residents help edit our stories, create social media posts, write articles, and assist in projects, practicing vital grammar and language skills while challenging their creative brains.

But besides grammar and editing and writing, we want these students to develop emotional intelligence. We have weekly meetings to discuss any struggles, questions, or obstacles we might have in our lives. We also take the enneagram personality test and other behavioral assessments to discuss and explore what our results can teach us.

One of my first decisions as residency director was to continue the residency virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the reality of layoffs, furloughs, and hiring pauses, we wanted to provide students with an opportunity they could not find elsewhere. Despite the virtual format, our expectations and standards for our residents have remained consistent.

But as the days inched closer to the summer residents’ start day I worried about the reality of a residency in quarantine. The residency is built on communication and participation, which can be difficult when we’re all cooped up in our separate abodes.

However, just looking at this group of young women – Sara, Shannon, and Janet – it was very clear that there was never going to be an issue. The summer residency is only a few weeks old, and these bright young women are already curious, engaged, eager, and passionate about their goals and work for Women of Cincy.

I can’t wait to see how far they go.

First, tell us a little about yourself.

Sara Skaggs: I'm a third-year student at the University of Cincinnati studying creative writing, journalism, and copyediting and publishing. Right now, some of my hobbies are reading, photography, playing volleyball, and learning to skateboard.

Shannon Smith: I’m from a suburb on the west side of Cleveland and recently earned my bachelor's degree in journalism and international affairs from the University of Cincinnati. I enjoy music, the arts, traveling, and reading novels. I grew up on Lake Erie, so I also enjoy swimming, boating, and going to the beach.

Janet Chu: I’m from Hong Kong. Janet is the English name I picked for myself when I was six years old – my original first name is Hiu Ling. This is my third year being in the United States and Cincinnati. I’m currently pursuing a master’s in professional writing, alongside a graduate certificate in data analytics at the University of Cincinnati. I aspire to be a user experience researcher or designer; everything related to human-centered design fascinates me.

I’m an advocate for the arts and environmental sustainability. Since I was young, I had music and art training which developed my passion for the arts – it also transformed me into an empathetic person with deep emotions. My love for the ocean (Hong Kong is a coastal city) brought me to the world of environmental sustainability, and I’m currently embarking on a journey to zero waste living. I’m documenting zero waste tips and outfits from my wardrobe on a new Instagram handle.

Everyone's stories and experiences are unique, but that doesn't mean we can't share and understand others' feelings.

What do you like most about being a resident?

Sara: Learning something completely new – I had no experience in writing social media or building features on websites before Women of Cincy. It's also really exciting to be on the opposite end of something – I was used to reading these articles, and now I get to see the whole process from the interviewing to the editing.

What brought you to Women of Cincy?

Shannon: I actually came across Women of Cincy on a whim, but I was so excited to learn about the organization and applied right away. I wanted to work here because I respect their mission and want to make a positive difference in the world. I have always been an advocate for storytelling and women’s issues so this was the best of both worlds.

Janet: A friend brought up Women of Cincy after I shared with her my shower thoughts of starting a series like Humans of New York for my work at U.C. International. I believe everyone has a unique story to tell and that people from different cultures have more in common than we imagine. I wanted to hone my storytelling and writing skills with the help of experienced writers and editors through an established platform. I instantly thought Women of Cincy would be the perfect place for me to not just improve my skills, but to get to know more people in this beautiful city. Women of Cincy’s dedication to promote diversity and inclusion in communities and amplify social equity are something I truly respect and value, and I’m excited to be part of the changemakers.

What's your favorite quality about yourself?

Sara: I'd have to say my loyalty and my willingness to help. Once I'm a part of something, I'm all in and ready to dedicate myself to it – whether it's a friendship or work, I'm always there to help.

Shannon: I like to think I am an understanding person that people enjoy being around, and I like making people laugh.

Janet: I’m a very consistent person that walks the walk. If I truly care about something, I will always stand up and speak up for it. This quality allows me to build trust at school, at work, and in different social groups very quickly. I’m not a social butterfly, but because of this quality, I’m able to make reliable and close friends wherever I go.

What, professionally or personally, are you most proud of?

Sara: Probably my volleyball career, especially my senior year of high school. Whether we're winning or losing, I put 100% of myself into the game. Hopefully, I'll be extending my career a little longer since I've started training again.

Shannon: Something I’m most proud of involves both my personal and professional lives. In the spring of 2019, I moved to London to study abroad for the semester. When I originally signed up, I was supposed to be going with a close friend of mine, but the plans changed last minute, and I was going alone. I was scared to be moving away, knowing my friends and family would be an ocean away.

My time abroad ended up being some of the best times of my life (cliché, I know). I made very special friendships and learned a lot about myself and who I want to be. I got the chance to study politics, journalism, and art in a different country. I think the experience willed me to be the woman and journalist I want to be.

Janet: I took a gap year before and after I went to grad school. I took up a full-time position with minimum wage at A.I.E.S.E.C, the world’s largest youth-led organization. I was given the opportunity to lead one of eight teams from different university chapters in Hong Kong. They all had 10 or more members in their respective teams. We set an ambitious goal of sending more than 780 university students for a cultural exchange abroad that summer. The team successfully achieved the goal with quality customer service – I was and still am extremely proud of my team and the results that we have achieved. And more importantly, I’m glad that they all felt empowered throughout the year; they thanked me for pushing them to do their best while always being there to support them. It was the most incredible leadership experience I had in my life so far.

Believe in yourself; you have a lot more potential than you realize.

What does empathy mean to you?

Shannon: Empathy is the ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes. The capacity to understand that even if it's not happening to you, it is happening to another human being, and you should care about it. Everyone's stories and experiences are unique, but that doesn't mean we can't share and understand others' feelings.

If you could go back in time and speak to your 15-year-old self, what would you tell her?

Sara: It's okay not to know who you are. You have years to figure out what it means to be Sara Skaggs and what you want to do. You don't have to have your whole life planned out.

Shannon: I would tell 15-year-old me not to be afraid to talk to people about what I'm feeling and that everything happens for a reason. Again, it's cliché, but I would tell myself that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. And everything you feel is justified and normal.

Janet: Believe in yourself; you have a lot more potential than you realize.

Now let's say we go into the future and you're at your 90th birthday party; what do you want your family and friends to say about you?

Sara: That I was unapologetically me; that I stayed true to what I'm passionate about, and I was willing to be there for my family and friends whenever they needed me.

Shannon: I hope my friends say I was happy and loved. I hope they say that they will miss me but are not sad because they know I lived a full life. I helped people, I was successful, I saw the world, I made an impact on at least one person's life, and I wasn't afraid of death.

Janet: I want them to talk about all the fun and embarrassing memories they have of me. I think my family and friends spend enough time together to experience the joys and most embarrassing moments of your life. I want them to have a good time at my birthday party, and laugh and make fun of me.

If you were stuck on a deserted island (and had all the food, water, and shelter you needed), what three personal items would you bring?

Sara: First, I would bring my favorite book, City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. Second would be my Nintendo Switch (quarantine has made me obsessed with Animal Crossing). Finally, I would bring something that would let me play music. I blast some of my favorite artists like Panic! At the Disco and Harry Styles all the time, so it would make sense that it would be no different on a deserted island.

Janet: A photo of my family; the book The Little Prince; a guitar

What fictional character do you identify the most with? Why them?

Sara: Jamie Watson from the Charlotte Holmes series; he's loyal to a fault, even when it isn't in his best interest.

Shannon: I identify most with Luna Lovegood from the Harry Potter series. While I’m a Hufflepuff, Luna is kind, brave, and a little strange. She is a loyal friend, she writes for the Quibbler, and she likes magical creatures, so I feel we have similar interests and qualities that I have or hope to be.

Tell us about an influential woman in your life.

Sara: My manager Lee at my job at Super Subbys; Lee is always willing to listen to my ideas or rants. She gives some of the best advice, cheers me up, and is my number one supporter for the book I'm working on. I'm so incredibly lucky that I have gotten the opportunity to work with her and call her my friend.

Shannon: I have many influential women in my life, but one, in particular, would be my Grandma Bolger. She died less than two weeks after I moved to London in 2019. I had a feeling when I saw her before I left that it would be the last time I saw her alive. I was devastated that I wasn't able to be with her and my family when she passed, but I was able to come home for a few days to attend her funeral. She was my last living grandparent and the "queen bee" in our family.

She was a devoted mother and wife, but she was also funny, smart, and very generous. She volunteered at an elementary school library in Florida when she retired. She suffered from dementia and had to be moved to assisted living facilities for the last six or so years of her life. Through all her struggles, she always maintained her funny and uplifting nature. She stayed her charismatic self, and her favorite time was when she was with her family. I miss her a lot, but I know she is looking down at us with a glass of wine admiring her good work.

Janet: While there are a lot of female writers or public figures that have influenced my mindset as I grow up, the woman who is closest and most influential to me has to be my mom. My mom did not receive a lot of education, but she always made sure I received the best education and training, no matter school or extra-curricular activities. She probably has no idea what feminism is, but she is a hardcore feminist. She is extremely smart and always knows how to make the most out of the very limited resources that she has. She is incredibly resilient and tough. Witnessing her go through some of the most difficult times in her life was setting the tone for me to be ready for any hardships I may experience in mine.

My mom is also an adventurer. After I graduated from high school, she started traveling extensively with her siblings and in-laws. She knows how important it is to see the world and be open-minded, even though she never talks about it explicitly. She is very carefree and allows me to choose whatever I think is best for myself. Her trust and support for my decision to come and stay in the U.S. was the most life changing gift she gave me. While I am more than 8,000 miles away from home, I am still learning from her every day – from how to grow succulents to how to let go and live well.

Are you human identifying? Join our residency.

Meet the Women of Cincy Residents: Summer 2020