When Gina Muzi ’24 discovered a letter she had written to herself years ago, it talked about one thing: playing Division I soccer. Today, she’s living her dream as a member of the varsity women’s soccer team at Northwestern. But sports aren’t her only interest: She’s just as passionate about the creative arts.
While she and her older sisters grew up playing soccer and basketball, her older brother went in a different direction: He pursued music and theater.
“My brother helped me find balance between the arts and sports, and that had a big impact on my life,” says Muzi. “I was passionate about both, and I think a lot of that is because I grew up watching him experience things that were different from what me, my sisters, and my friends were used to.”
During her senior year of high school, Muzi committed to the University of Portland to play Division I soccer and major in integrative health and wellness. After her sophomore year was over, she moved to the opposite coast to play soccer and study fashion at St. John’s University in Queens, NY, where she lived for two years.
“I had a great senior year there and was able to play every single game without injury,” she says. “Our team made it to the finals in the BIG EAST tournament. It was an unbelievable experience. I also got to work with the Journey Fashion Festival during Fashion Week 2023.”
But when Northwestern Assistant Soccer Coach Morgan Ruhl reached out to Muzi about an open goalkeeper position, she couldn’t help but pay attention. Although she wasn’t thrilled about moving again, she didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to continue her soccer career.
“Northwestern has an amazing history and reputation, and the women’s soccer team was doing very well. It was ranked 12th in the country,” Muzi says. “It felt like a huge blessing.”
Before she committed, however, she wanted to find a graduate program that would align with the fashion studies degree she already had. When she found herself on the MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises (MSLCE) website, her search for the right master’s degree was over.
She says the program is giving her broad knowledge on topics like marketing, branding, economics, and business models while allowing her to apply them to the industry she’s most interested in: fashion.
“Based on the prompts you’re given in class, you can really dive into whatever you want to learn about. That has been really good to help me explore different areas of fashion,” she explains.
The Professional Development course, led by External Programs, Internships, and Career Services (EPICS) Associate Director Mandi Glowen, has also helped her think strategically about her career. Before that class, Muzi admits she hadn’t spent much time on LinkedIn, done much professional networking, or written a cover letter.
“If it weren’t for this program, I wouldn’t have any of these skills, which are all so important for my career,” she explains. “This program has taught me not only in terms of academics but also about real life and about how to approach my chosen profession.” 
She’s also learning lessons through conversations with other MSLCE students, whether it’s inside or outside the classroom, as they ask each other questions, share their experiences, explain what led them to the program, and talk about the aspects of the creative arts that interest them most. Living in a sports-centered world, these interactions help her remember that she’s not alone in terms of her academic interests.
She credits the program for helping her determine where she wants her career to go. First is working for a luxury brand in fashion merchandising or buying. After that, she plans to explore the possibility of creating her own brand.
“Earning your master’s is a lot different than an undergraduate degree,” she explains. “It’s on me to determine what I’m going to do with my projects, papers, and homework. In undergraduate, that wasn’t left up to me. I’m in more control. I knew I couldn’t keep saying I wanted to work in fashion. It’s a broad industry, and I needed to find my niche. This program gives you the chance to focus on what you want to do and not what others want for you.”
3 Tips to Thrive in Graduate School
Gina Muzi ’24 has learned some valuable lessons in the last year about what it takes to earn a master’s degree.
- When it comes to finding an internship or landing a job, it’s all about who you know. “Never burn a bridge. Always take the opportunity to talk to people. You’ll learn so much from doing that.”
- Don’t get caught up in who you thought you were going to be. Who you were in high school isn’t who you are today. “High school was a struggle for me. It wasn’t until later that I found out I have ADHD. I had so much trouble paying attention and taking tests. I didn’t think I was very smart. I could barely take the ACT in high school. I never thought I’d be able to go to Northwestern and earn a master’s degree.”
- Put in the work and everything will pay off. “There’s a lot to learn and do. Try not to stress about the little things. What you put into it is what you’ll get out of it. When you work hard, things will end up the way they were meant to be.”
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