Jessica Miller, 11/10/25

This Monday, we were visited by Ohio University alumna and former chapter member, Jessica Miller (‘08). Jessica graduated from the J-School with her bachelor’s degree in journalism and has since gone on to recently finish her Master’s of Business Administration through the Jack Welch Management Institute this past summer. Today, Jessica is the Head of Learning at SmarterX, an AI research and education company. During her visit with us, Jess reflected on how her career journey has somewhat veered away from what her college senior self thought her career would turn into, common threads that have impacted her career and shared how AI impacts the workplace. Below are takeaways from Jessica’s presentation.

Career Insights:

During her presentation, Jessica revealed to us that her career, like many others, hasn’t been a perfectly linear experience; her journey definitely has some squiggles. Jessica said that while she may have achieved the ten-year goal she set for herself after graduation, she has learned that her definition of success has evolved. Jessica said that success doesn’t have to look like achieving or completing a pre-set plan; it can instead look like those moments where you feel like you’re thriving. Jessica also highlighted how valuable it is to be a good communicator in the work world and that “there are so many skills you have as [students] who see all sides of a communication.”

Common Threads: Here are some major factors that Jessica believes have positively impacted her career journey since leaving OU.

• “Curiosity is a superpower.” – Jessica said it is always important to stay curious and keep asking questions. Jessica also emphasized that “being a good thought partner is a badge of honor.”
• “Your ability to communicate is your competitive edge.”- Jessica said that being successful communication students differentiates us and gets us far after leaving OU.
• “Careers are built on relationships, not resumes.” – Jessica said that throughout your career journey, when meeting new professionals, you’re not just networking; you’re building your own reputation, so make sure to take care of those relationships. 
• “Stay in beta.” – Jessica said that it’s important to maintain curiosity and drive to help others. Specifically, consistently trying new things and being willing to learn makes you valuable. 
• “Transformation and change is the constant.” – Jessica emphasized that in the fast-paced and ever-changing world that we live in today, it’s best to be able to embrace change and the transformations it brings. 
• “Lean in, then lean back. Defining success on your own terms.” – Jessica said that it’s important to take a step back to observe your journey and then step back into it, and then define what success means to you. Jessica also said, “It’s ok if your vision changes, just as long as you’re controlling it.” 

AI Observations: Since Jessica now works in an AI-focused role, she provided us with some insights into how she believes AI is impacting the workplace and students today.

• “You live in a really cool time to be in school and in business.” – Jessica said to embrace the ways that AI is changing what it looks like to be a student and entering the workforce.
• AI Student Resources – Jessica provided us with the three AI platforms that she believes are some of the best for students. These platforms include Google Gemini, especially for its guided learning feature, ChatGPT for its study mode for students and Career Dreamer for inputting personal strengths and interests to find career matches.
• “Stay curious. Explore AI.” – Jessica said that it’s important for students to learn how to responsibly use AI and how they can use it to their advantage as students.
• “You will shape the future of responsible AI adaptation.” – Jessica said that we, as current college students, will have a major impact on what the adoption of AI will look like in the future, and to be excited about it.