Hardiman Follows Dream with Program, Wants to Reach "Oprah Winfrey" Status

Shivia Hardiman’s love for magazines has taken her a long way. That passion has led the 17-year girl from Chicago to pursue a career in print journalism, focusing on entertainment news.

Hardiman has been interested in writing stories since she was a little girl. Two years ago, she began taking creative writing classes at Gallery 37 in order to practice her craft.

Aside from writing, Hardiman loves reading about pop culture. She cites “OK”, “Star”, “People”, and “Essence” magazines as her favorites.

Hardiman says that print media is for her because she really gets into the stories that she reads and wants to contribute to them.

“What attracts me... is the tangibility that I get from reading certain magazines” she says. “I feel print media is a very hands-on job that needs to be re-appreciated.”

In order to pursue her career in print media, Hardiman attends ColumbiaLinks, a high-school program meant to give her more experience in the world of journalism. She says this opportunity to join the program, “came out of the blue,” but appreciates the experience.

Hardiman says she plans on staying committed to this career.. She has never really seen herself pursuing another career besides journalism and wants to give it her all. She hopes that one day she’ll reach the highest goal in journalism: “Oprah Winfrey status.”