Note: This profile is one of a three-part series where School of Communication 2026 graduates explain how they grew through academic work and hands-on professional experience over their time at American University.

Melanie Sikaffy came to American University knowing she wanted to work in communications, but not exactly sure where. What she found at the School of Communication was the space to explore that uncertainty, moving between journalism, public relations, and video production within her Communication Studies major, which blended all three areas through creative and visual storytelling. 

Her preference for strategic communication became more concrete through her work with SOC3, AU’s student-run communications agency. As a creative strategist, Sikaffy worked directly with clients, developing campaigns, producing visual content, and collaborating across teams. “We worked with a real client, so it gave us real experience,” she said. “I got to be able to work with a great team, and to this day I’m very, very proud of the work we did.” Working on a campaign for Holiday Inn, she found clarity in the kind of work she wants to pursue. “That just solidified that that’s what I really want to do,” she said. “Anything that’s visual storytelling or creative storytelling - campaigns, social media, websites, videos.” 

During her study abroad program in London, Sikaffy completed an internship with Quick Fox Labs, where she worked across marketing, content creation, and strategy. The experience not only strengthened her technical skills but also shifted how she thinks about professional growth. “I remember leaving that interview thinking, ‘This is the one I want,’” she said. “And I got it.” Reflecting on the experience, she emphasized the importance of personality and adaptability. “Sometimes we’re so focused on hard skills that we forget about soft skills,” she said. “What ended up selling me was just my personality.” 

That perspective was shaped in part learning from earlier experiences, including her first internship as a production assistant, when “I genuinely didn’t know anything.” Among the lessons she learned: ask questions, take initiative, and approach challenges with solutions. “Don’t bring problems, bring solutions,” she said. “And don’t be afraid to ask questions. They don’t expect you to know everything.” 

Like many students in SOC, Sikaffy points to faculty relationships as central to her experience. Through SOC3, she built a strong connection with professor Pallavi Kumar, who later wrote her a recommendation letter when Sikaffy decided to pursue the BA/MA track at SOC to earn a Master’s in Strategic Communication. “[Kumar said] ‘It’d be great if you could be my GA (graduate assistant),’” Sikaffy said. “I was very excited for that.” More broadly, she sees those relationships as a reason she plans to continue her education at AU. “I want to keep fostering the relationships I’ve built with my professors,” she said. “They give great opportunities to their students.” 

That support extended across disciplines. Professors like Jamie Sisley encouraged her creative work, particularly in screenwriting. “He really encouraged me to do my short film scripts, which I’m still very proud of,” she said. Others, like journalism professor Natalie Hopkinson, helped shape Sikaffy’s academic direction more directly. While developing her capstone, Sikaffy began discussing her ideas with Hopkinson outside of class, something she hadn’t initially considered. “I was like, wait, I can talk about capstone ideas to other professors?” she said. “It just made me realize there are so many resources.” 

Her capstone reflects the interdisciplinary nature of her studies. Focused on how Venezuelan audiences interpret contemporary music in a political context, the project combines cultural analysis, media theory, and personal interest.  

“I realized I’m really passionate about it,” she said. “No one’s really talking about it, and someone should.” 

Outside the classroom, Sikaffy’s involvement in student organizations gave her space to develop both creatively and as a leader. Through K-District, a K-Pop dance organization she has been part of since her first year, she moved through leadership roles, eventually working in videography and creative direction. “It was very formative for me,” she said. “I’ve been able to help other people learn how to film… and gain more confidence in leadership roles.”  

Sikaffy’s experience reflects a process of refinement; testing different interests, building relationships, and gradually defining a path that feels both creative and strategic. Whether through client work, academic research, or collaborative student organizations, she has developed a skill set that spans storytelling, production, and communication. 

Looking ahead, that combination is exactly what she hopes to continue building on. “I realized that’s what I really want to do,” she said. “Creative storytelling in any form.”