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While Talla Khattat’s educational path is not a simple or straightforward one, the ����ԭ�� (����ԭ��) student and recent UCLA graduate is brimming with ideas, talent and sheer grit – traits which will most certainly help her forge a successful career.

The definitive renaissance woman, Talla, 22, has multiple career aspirations – traveling investigative journalist, pianist, composer, teacher and film producer – and one day aims to succeed at all five.

She certainly has the determination, creative bent and drive to do so. After the pandemic upended everyday life during her senior year of high school, Talla opted to study at ����ԭ��, where she took online coursework. “My initial time at ����ԭ�� was essential – providing me with strong foundational writing skills, and teaching me the power of community.”

Earning her Associate’s Degree in Communication Studies from ����ԭ�� with honors, she transferred to UCLA through the University’s Transfer Alliance Program (TAP), graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a Film, Television & Digital Media Minor.

An active college student, she participated in multiple activities – writing for UCLA Total Wellness Magazine, joining UCLA’s Film and Photography Society, serving as a Community Representative on the Resident Government Council and much more. Ultimately, she was selected to be the Communication Department’s keynote speaker at her graduation ceremony in the Spring of 2024. “This was a huge honor. I was so proud to be a voice for my peers and acknowledge everyone’s hard work, dedication and resilience, especially since we had all started our studies during the pandemic.”

Following her graduation from UCLA, Talla decided to continue her quest for knowledge and returned to ����ԭ��, enrolling in a series of career enhancing courses. The decision to re-enroll in ����ԭ�� was an easy one. “����ԭ�� prepares their students with authentic experiences in the real world,” she says. “And ����ԭ�� professors are fully involved in what they teach. They truly care about their students.”

Initially, she says, “I wanted to explore teaching, so I took an Intro to Elementary Education class to get a feel for what it’s like to work in the classroom. The education course allowed me to gauge how I feel about teaching, providing hands-on experience in the field. I learned I love working with kids and want to teach something I am passionate about.”

With that in mind, she opted to transfer to ����ԭ��’s Music Department – with the idea of one day sharing her expertise by teaching music. A native of Los Angeles and first-generation college student, she moved to Irvine with her family in elementary school and grew up taking classical piano lessons. Most recently, she began training with ����ԭ�� professor Svetlana Smolina, a world-renowned piano performer, which led her to another passion: music composing. She recently composed her first orchestral piece, “Bullfrogs and Fairies,” and has been selected to perform at ����ԭ��’s 2025 graduation ceremony. Additionally, Talla just learned she will be granted a scholarship to continue her studies at ����ԭ��. Now, she is working toward an Associate of Art’s degree in piano performance, which she plans to complete this year.

Never one to remain idle, she continues to hone her writing and journalism prowess by working as a senior reporter and editor at Newsjunkie, a resource for journalists.

In her limited spare time, Talla dabbles in modern dance, modeling, yoga and food styling for film. She also loves watching animated movies, and one day dreams of combining her many talents to write, produce, direct, and compose her own animated film.

Composer. Piano Performer. Journalist. Teacher. Filmmaker. Whether Talla decides to pursue one professional path or many – by aligning her career choices with her significant creative talents, personal values and passions, she undoubtedly will succeed.