Shooting for the Stars: from Intern to Webby Award Winner at Oprah Daily

“I was drawn to St. John’s by the location and programs offered,” the native of Queens, NY, explained. “My entire family lives in New York, so I wanted to be close to my support system as I entered this new phase of my life.” 

At St. John’s, she uncovered “a melting pot of races, ethnicities, cultures, talents, and ideas,” during what proved to be a pivotal period in her life. “It was the first time in my life when I was surrounded by so many young Black adults who were unapologetically themselves and did not let others define their Blackness,” she said. “That was so important to me because I hadn’t yet figured out who I was or who I wanted to be.”

Annastacia lived on campus as a Resident Assistant (RA) for two years. She also served on the e-board of the Caribbean Students Association and participated in the NAACP and Student Ambassadors program.

“My experience on campus was great,” she said. “Whether meeting my friends at Starbucks in the D’Angelo Center or attending the basketball games at Carnesecca Arena, there was always something to do.”

When she wasn’t in the classroom, club meeting, or fulfilling her duties as an RA, Annastacia took advantage of the University’s proximity to Manhattan, NY, where she interned at The Wendy Williams Show.

“I was encouraged to apply by another student and former Wendy Williams Show intern whom I met through the Student Ambassadors program,” she recalled. “I was 19 years old, had no prior experience, and just applied without ever dreaming that I’d get in—much less get an interview.” 

Over her time at St. John’s, Annastacia interned at several news organizations, including MSNBC, NBC, and CNN, where she worked with familiar journalists such as Anderson Cooper and Ali Velshi.

“These experiences prepared me for success in the field, as they allowed me to apply what I was learning in the classroom to real-life work,” she explained. “I was able to push myself to be more confident and to put my ideas out there. I connected with people in the industry, which allowed me to jump headfirst into working in television.” 

Those connections paid quick dividends; she landed a plum position after graduation as a Production Assistant at CNN, where she worked on the early morning programming and played a significant role developing breaking news strategies. She was also involved with developing content for CNN+, CNN’S brief venture into streaming.  

Annastacia explained that University Career Services played an instrumental role in preparing her for life after college. “By attending career fairs on campus, I was able to explore different career options in media, which helped to narrow my focus,” she said. “Career Services also helped me prepare through résumé workshops and mock interviews for internships and other leadership roles.”  

Today, she is an Associate Producer for Oprah Daily, producing videos for Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King. For her work, she was recently honored with a Webby Award. 

“The biggest challenge of my current position is trying to find a balance between collaboration and my own creative innovation,” she said. “Working for one of the biggest names in the industry means having to juggle multiple personalities, conflicts, and ideas. Of course, there are always certain ‘laws, statutes, and commandments,’ so it is important to find ways to add your own creative splash on things.” 

As Annastacia advances in her career, she consistently reflects on the foundational years she spent at St. John’s. “College is what you make of it, and I was fortunate enough to connect with people willing to help and guide me. At St. John’s, I had the opportunity to embrace the person I am today and cultivate confidence in my own personality.”