Imagining the future

July 20, 2023

Welcome to the Hum, a storytelling podcast dedicated to bringing untold stories to your ears. We aim to be a space where people in and around American University can express themselves and their experiences. Our podcast is designed to take listeners through a full range of emotions, from laughter to tears.

For the Hum’s eighth episode, we turned our focus from stories about the past to dreams of the future.

We took the age-old job interview question “Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?” and gave it a bit of a twist. We wanted to hear about everything our peers envision on the horizon—their hopes, dreams, ambitions, fears and highest priorities for their life in their 20s and beyond.

As AU students, it can be easy to become lumped together as “policy wonks” all vying for a high profile job in the District. Through our conversations, we found four students who each have different mindsets, goals and philosophies toward their own ideas of “the future.”

If you think that you have a story worth telling, please share it with us at awolau@ gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

The Hum Podcast Team

For the entire story, check out AWOL’s Spotify or Apple Music channel.

About the Contributors

Zoe Kallenekos, Staff Editor

Zoe Kallenekos (She/Her) is a senior studying journalism. Kallenekos loves all things music and dreams of working in radio or podcasting, being a music journalist, writing a book, traveling the West Coast and befriending many more cats than she already has.

Caleb Ogilvie, Staff Editor

Caleb Ogilvie (he/him) is a sophomore studying journalism. Ogilvie writes to explore people's ideals, goals, beliefs, values, and frustrations. He enjoys showcasing the best aspects of everyone and everything, learning the stories behind everyone and everything, and understanding the world more holistically through journalism.

Ela Hernandez, Podcast Producer

Ela Hernández (she/her) is a junior majoring in international studies and minoring in women, gender and sexuality studies.

Sofia Borin, Staff Writer

Sofia Borin (She/Her) is a sophomore pursuing a journalism major. She enjoys reading, cooking for her roommates and going on hikes.

Blake Guterman, Podcast Producer

Blake Guterman (He/Him) is a senior with a Journalism Major and Psychology Minor. He loves to read, write, cook, exercise, hike, listen to music and socialize with friends. He also takes pride in his love of Spongebob Squarepants, Family Guy, Totally Spies, and Coldplay.

Grace Manson, Podcast Staff

Grace Manson (she/her) is a freshman from Virginia studying CLEG. Manson has a hound named Greta Gertrude II, and she is on the debate team and equestrian club. Manson is trying to learn Spanish and can kinda play guitar, piano, and ukulele (source: trust me bro). She loves Broadway and comedy and is always looking for new shows to get into (shameless Beetlejuice plug). If Manson had to narrow it down, she'd say she really enjoys investigative journalism and pop culture, though her journalistic interests are all over the place. Fun fact about Manson: when she was 9, she was roped into taking professional yodeling lessons. Oh, the days of musical theatre...

Kate d'Arcy, Staff Writer

Kate d'Arcy (She/Her) is a junior studying journalism with a minor in french and creative writing. Whenever not writing, she is spending time with friends, cuddling her cat, diving into a new book or exploring D.C.