We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aloysia Jean. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aloysia below.
Aloysia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career.
When I think about how to make the education system more fulfilling, I always come back to one idea: we need to give students more opportunities to explore potential career paths in meaningful ways. Too often, students are shown the “what” of careers but not the “how.” They might hear about being a doctor or a marketer but rarely understand the steps to get there—how education connects to those careers or how to make informed choices about their futures.
This gap became clear to me during my own journey. While earning my B.A. in Sociology, I spent summers working for PeerForward. Those summers weren’t just about making ends meet—they helped me see the practical applications of my major. Managing teams, facilitating efficient communication, and helping others were no longer abstract skills; they became the foundation of my career in marketing and education. Those experiences turned a degree into a direction.
Because of that, I’ve made it my mission to create similar opportunities for others. In 2022, I launched a Marketing Internship program for PeerForward alumni, giving first-generation, BIPOC students a chance to build real-world skills like managing social media and creating influencer campaigns. One of those interns recently graduated and landed a full-time marketing position. That moment reminded me why this change is so critical: students need to see how their education can shape their futures, so they’re not just dreaming—they’re building.
By integrating career exploration into education, we can help students connect the dots between their passions and their paths.
Aloysia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
PeerForward is a non-profit that empowers students from low-income communities to pursue higher education through the influence of Peer Leaders—students specially trained to inspire and guide their classmates. As a proud alumna of the PeerForward program, having completed my workshop in 2011 at Yale University, I know firsthand how transformative the organization’s mission is.
Now, as PeerForward’s Digital Marketing Manager, I use digital storytelling to showcase the resilience and leadership of everyday high school and college students. My journey into this role started with a passion for creative expression and a belief that every student deserves a college education, nurtured by my own experience as a Peer Leader. Today, I create campaigns, video stories, and initiatives like our Marketing Internship Program, amplifying the voices of first-generation college students from diverse and beautiful backgrounds.
What sets PeerForward apart is its belief in the power of peers to drive change. Through storytelling, I celebrate students’ triumphs and inspire others to see education as a bridge to equity, opportunity, and lasting impact.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The mission driving my creative journey is to celebrate and empower ordinary individuals who use their peer influence to uplift those around them. I aim to show that true influence isn’t reserved for celebrities or those with large platforms—it’s found in everyday acts of leadership and support. Through my work, I highlight the power of community, connection, and the ripple effect of small, intentional actions. My goal is to inspire others to recognize their ability to make an impact, reminding them that authenticity and compassion can create lasting change, no matter how big or small their stage may be.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
In hindsight, I wish I had recognized earlier how invaluable platforms like YouTube and TikTok are for creative learning. Early in my career, I underestimated their potential, focusing more on traditional resources. Now, I see these platforms as dynamic tools for on-the-job learning and skill development. They offer access to industry insights, tutorials, and creative inspiration that can’t be matched. From mastering marketing strategies to discovering new storytelling techniques, these platforms have become integral to my growth. They’ve shown me that learning is truly limitless when we tap into the collective knowledge and creativity of a global community.
I also can’t say enough about the free certifications offered by Adobe, Meta, HubSpot, and HootSuite.
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