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Unwavering Trust: A Bold Step Taken

At twenty-two years old, Ilana Foggle '21 assumed the role of speechwriter for Illinois governor JB Pritzker. Now, she's venturing into the realm of technology, working at GitHub.

Unyielding Resolve: A Journey of Trust
Unyielding Resolve: A Journey of Trust

Unwavering Trust: A Bold Step Taken

Ilana Foggle, a graduate of Oberlin College, has carved out an impressive career path that exemplifies the power of blending different disciplines. Foggle, who studied politics and rhetoric, has transitioned from working on Kamala Harris's presidential campaign and three campaigns for challengers to Jim Jordan's Congressional seat in Ohio, to becoming a speechwriter for Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, and now, managing speech writing and communications for the Chief Product Officer and Chief Technology Officer at GitHub.

Foggle's journey at Oberlin was not typical. She completed her senior year remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, but this did not deter her from making the most of her time. Supported by professors like Jan Cooper, the chair of the communication studies program, she leveraged her background in politics and rhetoric and her campaign communications experience to focus on becoming a speechwriter.

The journalism integrative concentration launched at Oberlin College in fall 2020 played a significant role in Foggle's academic journey. This flexible, interdisciplinary program allowed her to tailor her coursework around journalism within her interests, even if specific classes did not yet exist. This concentration enabled her to integrate journalism skills with other fields, helping her craft a personalised educational experience that aligned with her clear career goals.

Foggle's career advancement is a testament to the success of this program. At age 22, she became Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's speechwriter, and later moved into the tech industry at GitHub.

In her current role at GitHub, Foggle uses the AI tool, Copilot, to learn to code, and finds translating technical terms into compelling stories a new challenge she enjoys. Although she occasionally misses working in politics, she is thriving in her new environment.

Foggle credits her speech writing practicum, which she created during her final year at Oberlin, with launching her career. The practicum is a key component of her job interviews, demonstrating her initiative and passion for the field.

The communication studies major at Oberlin College provides a strong foundation for students like Foggle, who are eager to blend journalism with other disciplines. The program offers personalised academic support, helping students clearly define and pursue professional ambitions, as seen in Foggle's career path from student to prominent speechwriter and communicator.

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