CiCi Adams started out as a dance major at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, however, in her sophomore year she realized that dance wasn’t the career for her. She didn’t know what she wanted to do, but she knew that she loved writing and aspired to one day be a novelist. But, that career was too slow-paced and she wanted something that would allow her to write and help people – then she found journalism.
Adams never thought about taking up journalism before and she can’t tell you how that field entered her radar as an option, but it did, so she thought she might as well give it a try. She soon took a liking to it and realized she was actually quite good, now it’s what she does each day and loves it.
HC: How did you get to where you are today?
CiCi Adams: “As a person of faith, I always say I’m blessed to be where I am. Above all, I believe God has orchestrated my steps and given me a career. If you’d like a more practical answer, I’d say my success comes from a mix of taking risks, showing up, and developing relationships. I moved to New York in 2014 from a small town in Pennsylvania, just a few months after I graduated college. I spent the summer looking for a job in the city, but didn’t actually get one until the day before I moved here. I started out working at Daily Mail. One of my bosses there had always been very hard on me. I actually thought he hated me, I thought it was personal. Then he left the company to work for People Magazine and, much to my delight, he asked me if I wanted to come there as well. He told me that I was a great writer and that he wanted me to come work under him. I was elated, and I was there within two weeks.”
HC: How did you gain the confidence to interview people without being overcome by your nerves?
CA: “Well, the office (at People Magazine) has a series of focus rooms. I use one whenever I conduct phone interviews at the office. I actually spoke with my boss about this when I first joined the company, and he was adamant that I take any accommodation that I need. I’m very appreciative of him for that, it really helped me a lot to feel comfortable with my speech at the company. Anywho, the focus rooms really helped with my nerves. It was so good being in a room alone where I could freely use my techniques and take my time without feeling as though I’m being watched. As far as gaining confidence to do the actual interview, that came with time. When I first began doing them I was a mess. I was nervous and embarrassed and not confident at all – but I powered through them any way. The more I interviewed, the easier it got. Of course I stutter during all of them, but I’m more confident doing them now. The experience has really helped.”
HC: Why did you decide to stick with journalism?
CA: “I stick with journalism because I honestly can’t imagine doing anything else. I’ve always found it ironic that I fell in love with a career that requires excellent verbal skills, when I am anything but verbally excellent. But, I love it. And, to be honest, I feel as though journalism is my purpose. I don’t think I’d be happy or proficient doing anything else.”
HC: What is one piece of advice you want to give to people who stutter?
CA: “I want people who stutter to know that it is okay to stutter. That may sound basic, but it’s something I’ve only recently learned. For a majority of my life, I understood that stuttering was not okay, it was not normal and that it was something I should try to get rid of. But I’ve worked on understanding that the way I speak is normal, it’s not something I need to change. It’s a part of me that I need not be ashamed of. Stuttering is okay, the way I speak is normal for me.”
HC: What is one piece of information you wish people knew about stuttering?
CA: “I wish people simply knew that stuttering is a serious, neurological disorder. People often trivialize stuttering, and I understand that because it is an enigmatic disorder. But I’ve met way too many people who don’t know that stuttering exists, let alone that it’s a serious disorder that deeply affects those with the impediment. This should not be. If more people were aware of the disorder and its intricacies, I think people would be more accommodating of those who stutter and more accepting.”
HC: Do you have any techniques or things you do before you interview someone if so, what are they?
CA: “Before I interview someone, I pray, actually. I pray that no matter what happens, I’ll be strong and keep a good attitude. I take a deep breath and practice what I want to say before I make the call. If I have a lengthy interview with someone, I am sure to let them know that I stutter, I’ll say, ‘Before we start, I want to let you know that I do have a speech impediment. I stutter, and if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to say so.’ That helps a lot because I’m automatically more comfortable when my stutter is out there and on the table.”
HC: Where do you hope to take your career in the future?
CA: “I’ve been leaning more toward social justice work in recent years. I’ve written a lot of pieces for Bustle about topics ranging from Christianity and Feminism to white supremacy and police brutality. So, that’s what I’d like to do. I’d like to tackle social justice issues through my work, as a form of activism. And I’d love to write books in the future.”
HC: What do you love about journalism?
CA: “Where do I start? Well, on a basic level, I’ve always loved to learn about grammar, punctuation, and the inverted pyramid. So, I enjoy tackling all of those things in each article. I love putting words together to make them easy to read and understand. I also love to tell people’s stories. I’ve interviewed so many wonderful people about so many different topics and I love being able to take their words and tell their stories in a way that’s captivating and emotive. Additionally, I love making sense of things. I love taking political news and giving it context and telling what it means in plain english.”
HC: If aspiring journalists, who stutter, become discouraged what should they remember?
CA: “I’d say to remember that what you’re doing is brave. I often get caught up in the routine of journalist life and I forget that my career choice is pretty nontraditional for a stutter. So, I think it is important that journalists who stutter remember that they are braver than they give themselves credit for and that they do so many courageous things throughout the day. Give yourself more credit. Pat yourself on the back. Give yourself kudos, because what you’re doing is very tough and it takes a brave, strong person to take up such a profession while stuttering.”
Make sure to check out Adam’s blog: thestutteringjournalist.com