We’re in Chicago: Chelsea Zhao

As a recent graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, I aspire to report on topics that matter to people and the planet, such as environment, sustainability, tech, cybersecurity, and mental health. I have a Master’s degree in Health, Science and Environment Journalism, and I am a Comer Scholar, a prestigious award for aspiring environmental journalists.

I am currently an intern at WebMD, where I write engaging and informative articles on various health topics, such as COVID-19, mental health, and nutrition. I also have experience in freelance writing, science writing, and film criticism, and my work has appeared in several publications, such as Cicero Independiente, Chicago Health, and the Daily Northwestern. 

What is your current role? How would you describe the work that you do? 

I currently work as a patient navigator for Michael Reese Foundation. My work mainly consists of directing patients for their routine mammogram and pap smear tests and reporting their results into their medical records online and on paper.

What was your Chicago Scholars experience like? 

I loved my Chicago Scholars experience since the very first week I joined. I always count it my blessing to be surrounded by other talented and ambitious young men and women from Chicagoland area. To this day, I am inspired by the workshops organized by Chicago Scholars in preparing us for college life, demystifying the admission process and elevating your online professional network. The skills from these workshops and training sessions allowed me to build brick by brick my route to college and higher education. In short, my experience was nothing short of phenomenal.

How did Chicago Scholars support you to be the person you are today? 

Chicago Scholars allowed me to not only to dream but strongly believe in the second chance furnished by a higher education. In my high school years, I have fallen through some hard times with family but I can always count on Chicago Scholars as a point of reference. I still recall going to the office for a quiet place to polish my college applications. Even in college, Chicago Scholars staff checked in with me to make sure I am on the right track and that became my most valid reason to outperform — I just can’t let people down. In short, Chicago Scholars gave me a purpose to move on, even when the going gets hard.

What advice would you have given yourself just after being accepted into the program? What advice do you have for current Scholars? 

I have come to know that pride in your identity and confidence in your past is the most valuable asset. I used to be so insecure of what I wore and how I looked, especially when going to math competitions in more affluent schools. That was my thought exactly going into the interview process for Chicago Scholars downtown. Therefore, the acceptance to the program gave credence to who I am and where I came from. And that is my advice: to always reflect on your journey and to possess your confidence.

The advice I would have for current Scholars is to be loyal to your ideals. If you want to achieve something, you have to think about it constantly and put energy into making it happen. When you are young, it’s hard to visualize the fact of living your dream, but time is on your side and those years, months, and hours are your shields for making mistakes and learning. It is best to try all the channels leading to your ideals and dreams, so you can have an educated shot at actually living in them.

What does being from Chicago mean to you now? 

I will always be proud of being from a city that raised so many talented artists, educators, and pioneers. I am part of a city that is the intersection of many ethnicities and fruition of many community passion projects. It is a city of dreams that challenge realistic impossibilities — and if they can raise a city from the swamp, the Chicagoans can do anything they set their eyes on.

What do you wish people knew about Chicago Scholars, as well as the city of Chicago? 

I wish people know that we are growing and expanding. The city of Chicago has prospered from my high school to graduate school years. And with the city, Chicago Scholars has also grown. Chicago Scholars has sown a garden of smart, deserving Chicago youths to an expanse of motivated Chicago professionals, harping a future Chicago I long to see.