Finding The Story, Anywhere in the World: Nicole Noochirwani’s Journey from Curiosity to the Newsroom
Nicole Noochirwani JMS'26, MCM’27 didn’t always see herself in journalism—but in hindsight, the signs were always there. A natural storyteller with a deep interest in people, she arrived at Rutgers planning to major in psychology. Still, her interest in writing lingered in the background, as if it was waiting for the right moment to take center stage.
That moment came unexpectedly, in the form of an email.
A Leap Toward Journalism—and Italy
“While I originally applied to Rutgers to major in Psychology, I had always had a passion for writing, researching, and editing,” Noochirwani explains. Though she had considered applying to SC&I and pursuing Journalism, she admits, “for some reason I was holding myself back.”
Everything changed when she learned about an International Reporting course in Bologna, Italy.
“I immediately felt drawn to it and knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t miss,” she says. “I wanted to learn how to build a strong story in a new place and challenge myself in an environment I had never experienced before.”
That instinct to chase something unfamiliar became a defining theme in her academic career. After being accepted into the School of Communication and Information, Noochirwani began double-majoring in Psychology and Journalism and Media Studies. Soon after, she found herself on a plane to Italy, immersing herself in global storytelling.
Like most students who take the opportunity to study abroad, the experience reshaped her academic trajectory. As a result of learning more about the intersection of media and culture she encountered abroad, Noochirwani decided to add the Global Media Specialization to her major, to deepen her understanding of storytelling on an international scale.
Mentors Who Shaped Her Voice
At SC&I, Noochirwani found mentors who believed in her writing ability and challenged her to refine it.
“Several professors at SC&I encouraged my writing and pushed me to write about relevant topics that were important to me on a personal and global level,” she says. “These professors were very supportive, especially through feedback that helped me sharpen my voice and reporting.”
Lecturer Sheena Raja played a pivotal role in expanding Noochirwani's perspective on global media. Through the course International Media, Noochirwani explored how storytelling intersects with power and culture.
In the classroom, Noochirwani also found her footing as a reporter. Under the guidance of Lecturer Mark Di Ionno and Associate Director of Professional Practice Mary D’Ambrosio, she began turning ideas into impactful stories.
“In Professor Di Ionno’s Writing for Media course, I wrote about a topic I care deeply about: how burnout affects students, and how awareness of mental health resources on campus can make a difference,” she shares. “It was my first time interviewing students and educators and turning those conversations into a story with real impact.”
My biggest piece of advice is that it’s important to put yourself outside of your comfort zone and into new environments.
That hands-on experience carried into her time abroad. In the International Reporting course taught by D’Ambrosio in Italy, Noochirwani and her peers collaborated with interpreters and interviewed locals in Bologna to explore perspectives on American politics—an exercise in both cultural exchange and journalistic adaptability.
Meanwhile, Lecturer Mike Pavlichko, the Broadcast Administrator for WRSU 88.7 FM Rutgers Radio, introduced Noochirwani to the technical side of storytelling. In Broadcast News Writing and Reporting, she began working with audio and video editing tools. “It would be the first time I combined my love of editing and using other platforms to build a story,” she says. Learning Adobe Audition proved to be a turning point—one that ultimately helped her land a competitive internship with CNN.
Inside the CNN Newsroom
Noochirwani's passion for storytelling reached a national stage during her time as a CNN News Show Teams intern for Erin Burnett OutFront. There, she gained firsthand experience in the fast-paced world of broadcast news, contributing to the behind-the-scenes production that brings stories to millions of viewers.
Building on the technical foundation she developed at SC&I, Noochirwani worked on researching segments, editing soundbites, and assisting with visual elements like graphics. The internship not only strengthened her production skills but also reinforced her interest in shaping stories collaboratively within a newsroom environment.
Growth Beyond the Comfort Zone
With graduation set for May 2026, and already beginning her first semester in the SC&I Master of Communication and Media Five-Year Dual Degree Program, Noochirwani is focused on building a career that blends creativity, collaboration, and impact.
If there’s one lesson she learned at SC&I that she wants to carry with her into her career, it’s the value of stepping into the unknown. Pointing to her willingness to travel alone to Italy for the International Reporting class, she said, “If I had stayed within what felt comfortable and held myself back, I wouldn’t have had the opportunities, achievements, or stories I have now. My biggest piece of advice is that it’s important to put yourself outside of your comfort zone and into new environments."
