Say Yes Alumni Spotlight | Natalie Mooney

From Nottingham High School to reporting stories that shape Central New York, Natalie’s journey is rooted in community. A Syracuse City School District (SCSD) graduate and Say Yes to Education Syracuse alum, Natalie took advantage of every opportunity in high school and beyond, balancing academics and multiple jobs while pursuing her passion for storytelling. Today, she’s back home as a reporter for Spectrum News 1, covering the community she knows and loves. In this Q&A, Natalie reflects on how Say Yes helped make college attainable, the winding path of a career in journalism, and the advice she offers to students dreaming big about their future.

Where did you go to high school?

Nottingham High School Class of 2014

Were you involved in any extracurricular activities in high school? If yes, what were they?

I tried a little bit of everything! I was involved in sports (cross country, track, lacrosse), the theatre department (Hairspray, Chicago, a couple fall plays), DECA (national competition three years in a row, opened Cooperative Federal Credit Union in Nottingham, Franchised Tim Hortons inside Nottingham), I did Mock Trial one year, we had a glee club when the show Glee came out that I participated in. I did Summer College at Syracuse University in Creative Writing and Poetry the summer before my senior year. I can’t remember the name of it, but there was a SUPA program that did SAT prep on the weekends, too, and there was an after-school thing every so often. On top of all that, I also had part-time jobs outside of school!

How did you learn about Say Yes to Education Syracuse?

As an SCSD student, I feel like I was made aware of the opportunity often. I remember seeing posters and talking about it with my guidance counselor. But my first time hearing about it was when one of my older sisters was talking about it with my mom. I’m the second-youngest of six kids, so I got to see my siblings pursue higher education before I did. My two oldest siblings graduated before Say Yes, but after that, all my siblings took advantage of the opportunity, and I know it was a big consideration for us when applying to schools. For example, I only applied to schools on the Say Yes list.

Where did you go to college, and what did you major in?

I attended Syracuse University (Class of 2018) and majored in Broadcast and Digital Journalism, minoring in Women’s and Gender Studies at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Were you involved in any extracurricular activities in college? If yes, what were they?

Compared to high school, I feel like I didn’t do many extracurriculars. If I did, they were very closely related to my major. I hosted a morning radio show on Z89 and helped with NCC News and Citrus TV coverage. Aside from that, I worked at least two or three part-time jobs at any given time.

What is your professional history (internships, volunteering, past jobs)?

I interned at Spectrum News in Rochester, NY, in college. I volunteered at different philanthropic events, but did not hold a steady volunteering gig. Aside from my career, I’ve had a number of jobs. From most recent to oldest: Reporter for Spectrum News 1 in Wilmington, NC, News Assistant for Spectrum News in Rochester, Bartender/Waitress for a sports bar outside of Rochester, Nanny for a local family, retail job at the mall, associate at Syracuse University’s bookstore, Barista at Café Kubal, employee at Bird Library, Lifeguard for Syracuse City Pools, employee at Rite Aid, sandwich artisan at A La Mode, Giant Lemon at the NYS Fair, and the ultimate first gig: babysitting!

What are you doing now? (Professional, extracurricular, etc.)

I am currently a Reporter for Spectrum News 1 right here in Syracuse, NY! After four years in NC, I wanted to come back and focus on the community I know and love.

What are your long-term plans?

In this industry, it’s hard to predict where you’ll be. A lot of times you have to move around to keep moving up. I’m hoping to stick around Syracuse for at least a couple of years and keep reporting here. I love being a reporter and getting to be out in the field, talking to people out in the community every day, and I hope to be doing that for years and years to come. After that, when I am ready to slow down and settle down a bit, I wouldn’t mind being behind a desk more…an anchor desk that is!

How did Say Yes to Education Syracuse help you achieve your goals?

Without Say Yes, I am not sure what my options would have looked like back when I was applying to college. Say Yes made college feel attainable; it gave me a list of colleges that, if accepted, I wouldn’t have to say no to just because I couldn’t afford them. Yes, there’s financial aid, and yes, Syracuse University even has the Syracuse Challenge, but Say Yes removed a barrier that would have otherwise made my choices much more limited. Seeing my siblings get to attend college tuition-free through Say Yes also inspired me and helped me dream big before I even got to high school.

Any words of advice for high school students or young professionals?

Don’t let anyone or anything hold you back from your dreams. When I was in high school, I told people I wanted to be a reporter, and people very close to me called me a dreamer. Well, I worked hard for what feels like my whole life, and guess what? That dream came true.

But also…don’t be afraid to turn down the dream for what’s right for you. My true first offer for a reporting job was straight out of college for an NBC Affiliate in Bozeman, Montana. The pay was 22,000 a year. Full-time. With hours that made getting a second job unlikely. I had to say no, and I was so worried I would never get another opportunity, but I didn’t want to set myself up for two years of stress, struggle, and unhappiness. So I turned it down, remained sure of myself, and trusted that the opportunity meant for me would come. After a year and some change of working at the bookstore, nannying, and bartending, I got the offer to be a news assistant, which opened the door for a reporting position down the road.

Don’t be afraid of the unknown or starting new. My first reporting job brought me 12 hours from home, away from everyone and everything I knew and loved. I wouldn’t have traded that experience for anything in the world. You never know what’s out there until you go and look for yourself!

And lastly…always stay curious!

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to highlight how life-changing Say Yes can be!