Alumni Profiles: Josephine Owusu

What made you decide to do a degree in American studies?

I decided to do a degree in American Studies because initially I actually really wanted to do a Media Studies degree, but I remember at the time the press gave Media Studies a bad rep. Even though I had done Media Studies for my A-Levels and I knew how much work it did take, I thought it’s better that I do an academic subject. And so when I started researching, I didn’t really want to do a full English degree and then I discovered American Studies. What I loved about it was the fact that it was an interdisciplinary degree so I could study politics, film and literature. It was just amazing. I also love the fact that I was able to have an opportunity to travel abroad and study in a US university. I’m an avid traveller, I love travelling. And so just to have that opportunity, that sold it for me even more. And because I wanted to have a degree in the media industry this was a good degree that I could take and still pursue that career path.

What subjects did you do prior to American studies?

In terms of A Levels I did English, Media Studies, Spanish and an AS in ICT.

How did a degree in American Studies equip you for your future career?

It opened up my eyes to different opportunities. I actually went back to work in New York two years later through the Mountbatten programme. My study abroad experience really helped me in the interview process and it also just gave me a new level of confidence, and made me realise that the world is bigger. So it just opened up my eyes to being able to work internationally and to different opportunities.

So what is your career trajectory so far?

When I graduated in 2008 it was in the recession, and I did some internships in PR because there were no jobs out there at the time. Then I did an internship at CNN, which lead to an internship at Cartoon Network. And while I was at Cartoon Network that’s when I applied to work in New York, for the Mountbatten programme. And then for a year I wasworking as an office manager in an advertising company in New York. After that I worked at Turner Broadcasting, which is now known as Warner Media. That’s where I went to Cartoon Network for about seven years, working for channels like Cartoon Network, TCM and Boomerang. I started as a production assistant. Seven months later I got promoted to a production coordinator, and then I got promoted to senior production coordinator. I worked for all the channels in different regions, in Europe, Middle East and Africa. And then after that I also worked as a project manager for a digital media agency, then as a production manager for a children’s educational app. And two and a half years ago I started my business The Owusu Collective. I’m now a business strategist and I also do projects with the media industry, so strategies, operations, branding as well. And I’m also launching a stationery business toward the end of this year.

What has been your proudest career moment to date?

I would say launching my business in the midst of a pandemic. I always knew I was going to be my own boss at some point, but I thought I had three more years of working for someone ahead of me. But I was made furloughed, and then I just decided that’s it, I’m going to take the leap. So I started my business and it has been amazing. I’ve worked with amazing clients, there’s been so many opportunities. I am a business mentor and that has been amazing, just seeing the transformation in my clients and the impact that my work does for them is priceless.

Did you have a study abroad as part of your degree?

Yes I did, I studied at the University of California Davis Campus, UCD. I studied there for a year. It was absolutely amazing, it was life changing. I really got the full experience, I made so many amazing friends who I’m still in touch with now. It was just absolutely brilliant. I learnt to swim out there, it was absolutely amazing.

So what did you enjoy the most about your degree studies?

I love the fact that I was studying a broad span of subjects; American Studies is an interdisciplinary degree so I loved the fact I got to study history, literature, politics, film. I love that I got to study abroad, I got to meet people who I would never have met if I didn’t study abroad. When I was in the US I studied a lot of African American Studies which we just don’t have over here. I got to study African American television, film, documentary – it was really amazing to learn all these subjects that I wouldn’t have had access to if I was over here. And that helped me to decide on my dissertation topic as well. And as I mentioned I learned to swim and I was also part of a water aerobics group as well. I just got to have a different lifestyle, it was amazing!

Do you have any advice for people thinking about taking a degree in American studies?

Yes, sign up for it! Don’t listen to anyone else if they try to look down on you and say African American Studies isn’t a reputable degree. It’s an amazing course, it’s just as brilliant as an English degree. You work hard and it gives you awareness on another level. Also, take advantage of the study abroad. It will be life changing and it will open up your mind.

If you could travel anywhere in the Americas where would you go?

I think I’ve got three places: I would say Hawaii, I would say North Carolina and I would say Martha’s Vineyard. They are all places I’ve dream of visiting and I will at some point.

Are there any books or records or films or TV that you would recommend to perspective American Studies students?

 I would recommend watching 12 Years A Slave (2013) which is about slavery. We learned about slavery in the American Studies degree and it’s such a powerful depiction, so I would highly recommend that. I would also recommends Frederick Douglass’s book, because that really had such an impact on me. The way it was written, you feel like you are there. I would also recommend Self-Made on Netflix, which is about Madam CJ Walker – the first female African American millionaire. She’s really inspirational. And then Spike Lee made a documentary on Hurricane Katrina, called When the Levees Broke (2006). It’s really long but it’s worth it, it really gives you context about America and how they responded to that disaster. Another book is To Kill A Mockingbird (1960). It’s one of my favourites, I love it. And also the Netflix documentary The Last Dance (2020) – it’s a documentary on Netflix about Michael Jordan and his basketball career. I would recommend it because basketball is a huge part of the culture in the US and if you get to study abroad you will have opportunity to be able to go basketball games. This documentary is a good example to get your feet wet.