Jessika Foster

I attribute my success to faith, perseverance, and a willingness to keep learning. My path has not been traditional, and there were times when moving forward meant starting over. Returning to college and building a career in media required me to believe that my goals were still possible, even when I was entering spaces where others had started much earlier.

In December 2024, I graduated magna cum laude from Texas Southern University, and my daughter graduated from her HBCU just one week apart from me. We became the first college graduates in our family. Sharing that milestone reminded me that the decisions we make for ourselves can also expand what our families believe is possible.

I also credit the mentors, professors, and colleagues who have challenged me, shared their knowledge, and trusted me with opportunities to grow. Their support has mattered, and I have worked to honor it by showing up prepared, following through, and remaining open to feedback.

For me, success includes being dependable, doing work I am proud of, and helping someone else find their confidence. I am still learning and building, but my faith gives me direction, my experiences give me perspective, and my commitment to serving others gives the work purpose.

One of the most meaningful pieces of career advice I received came from a professor who encouraged me to create work that would have value beyond graduate school. That advice stayed with me because I want my education to make a difference in how I work, lead, and serve others.

It helped me become more intentional about connecting what I learn to real needs in my profession. I think about how I can solve a problem, improve a process, or share knowledge that helps someone else succeed. It also reminded me to document my accomplishments and be able to explain the thinking behind my work.

As someone who returned to school and built a new career as a nontraditional student, I know how much commitment it takes to start again. That advice helped me recognize that every project can be an opportunity to develop my judgment, demonstrate my abilities, and prepare for greater responsibility. I want to build a body of work that reflects what I know, what I stand for, and what I can contribute wherever my career takes me.

I would encourage young women entering media to trust that their voices have value, even while they are still developing their skills. You do not have to know everything on your first day, but you should be willing to prepare, ask questions, accept feedback, and follow through. Learn what happens behind the scenes as well as in front of the microphone or camera. Understanding how the work comes together will help you contribute with confidence and discover opportunities you may not have considered.

Build relationships with people who respect your potential and are honest about where you need to grow. Seek mentors, but also build genuine connections with your peers. The women learning alongside you can become collaborators, sources of support, and future leaders. Keep a record of your work and accomplishments, learn how to explain the value you bring, and speak up when you are ready for more responsibility. You can advocate for yourself while staying open to learning.

I would also tell them that resilience includes knowing when to rest, set a boundary, or seek a better opportunity. There will be setbacks and moments when you question yourself. Give yourself room to grow without allowing every disappointment to define your ability or your future. As someone who returned to school and built a new career as a nontraditional student, I know that progress does not follow one timeline. Keep showing up for your goals, protect your integrity, and remember to make room for other women as you move forward.

I see one of radio’s biggest challenges as building meaningful connections with audiences across digital platforms while preserving the trust and sense of community that make radio special. A conversation may begin on the air, but it can reach people in new ways through video, social media, and written storytelling. The opportunity is to make each of those experiences meaningful and give people a reason to stay connected.

I also see opportunities to strengthen mentorship and create clearer pathways into media leadership, especially for Black women and others whose contributions have not always received recognition. My experience in broadcasting and my graduate studies have made me attentive to who gets heard, whose ideas receive support, and who has a role in making decisions. I want to help develop talent and build media organizations where those opportunities are more accessible.

Faith, integrity, accountability, and service are the values that matter most to me. My faith keeps me grounded and gives me the courage to move forward, especially when the next step feels uncertain. Integrity guides how I treat people and the decisions I make. I want my actions to reflect what I say I believe, and I want people to know they can depend on me to follow through.

In media, I take seriously the trust people place in us when they share their stories. Whether I am preparing for an interview, creating content, or mentoring a student, I value listening carefully, representing people accurately, and treating them with dignity. Accountability means being willing to acknowledge a mistake, correct it, and learn from it.

Family and education are also central to my life. Returning to school reinforced how much I value growth and how important it is to remain open to learning at every stage. Sharing that journey with my daughter made it even more meaningful.

I want to achieve my goals while caring for my relationships, honoring my commitments, and making time to support others. As I grow professionally, I want those values to remain visible in how I lead and how people experience working with me.